Childrens attractions Sleights North Yorkshire

Take a look at our new Inspire and Explore section for the ultimate guide to holiday activities in the Yorkshire Dales.

The county of Yorkshire has a lot to offer visitors with a varied landscape of dales, moors and coast, a rich historical heritage, fascinating cities, market towns and picturesque villages. Yorkshire has a very distinctive character and is rightly considered one of Britain’s premier holiday destinations.

Once you arrive in Yorkshire you’ll see why it’s called ‘God’s Own County’. Take for example the wild, beautiful expanse of the Yorkshire Dales, which actually consists of lots of different Dales each with their own unique character, covering in total some 554 square miles of heather moorland, rich pasture land, and characterful Dale’s villages and of course dry stone walls. Much of this area is protected and forms the famous Dales National Park; the perfect place for walking and cycling amongst some of Britain’s most stunning landscapes.

To the east is another National Park; The North York Moors National Park extends all the way to the Yorkshire coast. This is a place of wide open spaces and wind swept heather moorland, an extensive network of footpaths and bridleways as well as hidden valleys where you’ll discover pretty villages. It’s also home to the North Yorkshire Moors Steam railway which runs from Pickering to Whitby (and back) and is a great day out for both adults and children.

The Yorkshire coast has been attracting holidaymakers since Victorian times and is renowned for its pretty fishing villages and bustling coastal resorts such as Whitby, Scarborough, Filey and Bridlington. Here you’ll find family friendly clean sandy beaches and plenty of activities for visitors of all ages. The picturesque town of Whitby clusters around its fishing harbour where fishing boats and pleasure cruisers come and go. High above the town Whitby Abbey dominated the skyline and can be reached with a vigorous walk up some 199 steps.

To the south are the family resorts of Scarborough, Filey and Bridlington. Scarborough has two lovely horseshoe bays with golden sands and plenty to offer families and couples looking for a traditional seaside break. Filey and Bridlington also have lovely beaches and coastal promenades.

And there’s plenty more to Yorkshire including the wonderfully historical city of York, internationally renowned for its medieval architecture that includes one of the finest buildings in Europe; York Minster. Then there’s the Yorkshire Wolds; a quiet and peaceful place of undulating countryside and market towns. To the south of the region in West Yorkshire is Bronte Country and its dramatic brooding open moorlands and of course connections with the Bronte sisters.