Top 5 day’s out in Yorkshire
This was hard! Here are my top 5. Let me know your favourites!
Love from A Yorkshire Heart x
1. Sutton bank and the White Horse
A very special place for me, this is where my husband proposed. Perfect at any time of year, walking either way from the visitors cente affords spectacular views over the vale of York, the Dales and, on a clear day, the Lake District. If you are feeling energetic, you can climb the steps up the face of the White Horse and see the gliders taking off the top of the bank. My number one tip for feeling on top of the world.
2. Castle Howard, Near Malton
A leisurely stroll around the grounds of Castle Howard is perfect in early summer. The vegetables in the walled kitchen garden are starting to bloom, the peacocks are strutting and showing off their plumes and the sun is shining as you walk along the side of the lake and up to the Mausoleum, which has views over the surrounding Howardian Hills. Marvel at the incredible Baroque stately home and finish off with a trip to the farm shop for superb produce from the Estate.
3. Salts Mill, Saltaire
Salts Mill has changed a lot since I first went with my parents years ago. Then, the extremely valuable Hockney paintings were casually laid around the building for everybody to touch and see. The selection of originals has now dimished due to security concerns, but the experience is still brilliant. Sir Titus Salt’s visionary project now houses a fabulous book shop where you can buy Hockney prints, a design-focused kitchen and homeware shop and Salt’s Diner which is always buzzing and serves decent food.
4. Beach walk in winter
It’s tough to choose a favourite beach for this but Robin Hoods Bay would have to win. At it’s most atmospheric in the winter, with the tide out you can walk for miles and then climb up and walk back along the cliff tops with the seagulls whirling ahead, imagining the smugglers arriving at this isolated bay in days gone by.
5. The Turkish Baths, Harrogate
A hard-to-beat pampering experience, the most luxurious day I can imagine would be spending the morning in the warm, historic and beautifully refurbished Turkish Baths alternating between the hot rooms and the splendid Victorian plunge pool. After drying off with fluffy robes and reading magazines, walking the few steps to the famous Betty’s Cafe & Tea Rooms for Eggs Benedict. This is what heaven looks like to me.
our top 5 are hard to beat and after hours of deliberating I have compiled my top 5… although I reserve the right change my mind… as it’s been so hard to only choose 5.
1. Helmsley
It’s got to be top of my list for all the fabulous times I have spent there. I have many happy memories. The best lunchtime spot has to be the Vinehouse veggie cafe in the Walled Gardens. For a bit of luxury the Feversham Arms and Verbena Spa are hard to beat – especially on a hot summer’s day by the open air pool. It’s also the perfect place to start a country walk. My favourite is the there and back stroll to the magnificent Rievaulx Abbey.
2. West Burton
A close second to Helmsley has to be West Burton in the Yorkshire Dales and its surrounding countryside. The waterfalls are spectacular all year round. Our favourite is Aysgarth Falls. We took our little girl there when she was 4 months old and she agreed in winter it is pretty impressive!
3. Runswick Bay
A picture perfect spot in the summer. It’s the best place to have a picnic on the beach and watch the water sparkling in the sunshine. If you ever get restless the coastal walk, starting from the top of the cliff to nearby Staithes and back, is breathtaking. How could the North Sea look so beautiful?
4. Whitby Pier
The first proper date my husband and I went on was on a wet, cold, blustery Saturday in April. We had lunch at the legendary Magpie Cafe followed by a brisk walk and a kiss on the pier. Every so often we relive that first date and get take away fish and chips and scoff them at the end of the pier. Bliss.
5. Middleham/East Witton
We have such fond memories of this area and go back regularly to soak up its beauty. We love watching the racehorses on the gallops, playing poo sticks on Cover Bridge and eating yummy food in either the Black Swan or Blue Lion pubs.
Ok, this is my top 5 – spoilt for choice really, but give these ones a whirl, you’ll not go far wrong:
1. York – obvs
2. 500 bus from Hebden Bridge to Haworth – goes over the tops, with fantastic views
3. Rugby League Heritage Centre, The George Hotel, Huddersfield – cos I love my RL! Best way to do this is pre-match, after a couple of pints in the Head of Steam at Huddersfield Station.
4. Ribblehead – go for a thirst inducing walk by the viaduct and enjoy the peace and scenery, then fall into the Station Inn for pie, peas n a pint. And all within staggering distance of Ribblehead Station.
5. Hull – Yes! The Land of Green Ginger is lovely. Sutton village is also lovely, home of Lord Prescott
Finish off with fish n chips at Bob Carvers in the city centre, best I’ve ever had.
That’s a great list northern lass! Will definitely keep the Hebden Bridge to Haworth bus in mind! Thanks. Love your blog
Thanks Ruth! And thanks for the spring tips, that’s a really useful guide, I’ll definitely be checking them out. I’ll add your blog to mine – good to see there’s plenty of us flying Yorkshire’s flag
I was in Ribblehead on Friday actually, doing the Settle-Carlisle run and it was fantastic, one hour out of Leeds’ sprawl and you’re in the middle of nowhere 
You cannot beat the beautiful Kirkham valley with the ruins of Kirkham Priory (just off the A64 near Malton). Then have a great luch up the hill at the “Stone Trough Inn”.
Oh yes, there is a lovely walk along the river by the priory and the Stone Trough is a brilliant pub – used to go there very regularly as a child with my family.