Affectionately known as ‘God’s Country’ by locals, visit Yorkshire and you too will be converted by the stunning scenery, cities steeped in industrial heritage, and charming market towns to explore. Delightful places to visit in Yorkshire include Beverley, a thriving medieval market town, and historic York where you can admire gothic York Minster cathedral. Looking for a challenge? Fun things to do in Yorkshire include uphill climbs across the Yorkshire Dales, where you’ll be rewarded by jaw-dropping views, or try your hand at surfing in beach towns like Scarborough. Or simply take a leisurely stroll around cosmopolitan Leeds for museums, galleries and excellent shopping in abundance.
Places to visit in Yorkshire
Rainy Day Activities: Step back in time at York Castle Museum
Travel back in time on a rainy day at this trend-setting museum, which transports visitors back through 300 years of history.
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Go ghost hunting in ‘Europe's most haunted city’
York claims to be the world’s first city to run ghost walks – you’ll soon see why, with tales of murder, mayhem and gore at every corner.
Location: York, North Yorkshire
Ride the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway
This exciting heritage steam railway runs through the picturesque Yorkshire countryside where the classic movie The Railway Children was filmed.
Location: Keighley, West Yorkshire
November events: Get inspired at the Huddersfield Contemporary Music Festival
Listen along to amazing performances at the UK’s largest international festival of new and experimental music.
Location: Huddersfield , West Yorkshire
Get your jazz hands out for the Scarborough Jazz Festival
Each September, the annual Scarborough Jazz Festival on Yorkshire’s north coast provides the ideal tonic for music lovers to wash away those summer blues.
Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Be royalty for a day at Scarborough Castle
Take an audio tour around the Castle, enjoy breathtaking views from the headland of the North Yorkshire Coast and have tea in a historic building.
Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Experience life as a monk at historic Whitby Abbey
Discover how over 2,000 years of history made Whitby Abbey one of England’s most important archaeological sites.
Location: Whitby, North Yorkshire
Delve into the story of Dracula
Probe into the dramatic history of Bram Stoker’s Dracula in the very place where the stories of the bloodthirsty vampire were born.
Location: Whitby, North Yorkshire
Find yourself face-to-face with gigantic outdoor sculptures
Each face reveals a story as you meet the gigantic outdoor sculptures that span the width and breadth of the seaside resort.
Location: Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Take a tour of the grand Burton Agnes Hall
Burton Agnes Hall is an Elizabethan stately home that has remained in the same family for over 400 years.
Location: Burton Agnes, East Riding of Yorkshire
See art on the Wolds Way
The WANDER art trail is the first of its kind in the country encompassing a series of public art installations on the 79 mile national walking trail.
Location: Malton, East Riding of Yorkshire
Experience David Hockney’s inspiring landscapes
Widely considered Britain’s most important living artist, David Hockney has long been fascinated by the nature and landscapes of the Yorkshire Wolds.
Location: East Yorkshire
September events: Enjoy Nordic walking at the Walking and Outdoors Festival
The annual Yorkshire Wolds Walking and Outdoors Festival offers a host of exciting outdoor pursuits and taster sessions.
Location: Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire
Go under the sea at The Deep Aquarium
Get out of the rain and head... into the water? This underwater world features Europe's deepest viewing tunnel, offering unparalleled views of exotic fish, sharks and other sea creatures.
Location: Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Rainy Day Activities: Meet a mummy at the Hands on History Museum
Converted from the oldest secular building in Hull, the Hands on History Museum provides a fascinating insight into history from across the globe.
Location: Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
September events: Experience arts and culture at Hull's Freedom Festival
Hull’s annual festival, Freedom, features torchlight processions, flaming installations, street dance, pop up galleries, aerial acrobats and music.
Location: Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
October events: Visit England's largest travelling fair in Hull
Hull Fair celebrated its 700th birthday in 1993 and has grown continuously, now attracting over half a million visitors every year.
Location: Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Learn about Hull’s historic pubs on the Hull Ale Trail
Venture into Hull’s Old Town amidst cobbled alleyways and staithes and join Hull’s Ale Trail.
Location: Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Explore the home of William Wilberforce
Nestled in Hull’s Historic High Street is the family home of William Wilberforce waiting to be explored.
Location: Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire
Bag some bon bons at England’s Oldest Sweet Shop
Evoke happy childhood memories with hundreds of retro sweets at The Oldest Sweet Shop in England.
Location: Harrogate, North Yorkshire
Journey into the world of the dinosaurs at Dino-stone Park
Escape to the lost world of dinosaurs at this inventive theme park.
Location: Malton, North Yorkshire
