Yorkshire And The Humber

Chalk cliffs above the North Sea, extensive heather moorland and traces of industrial and social history give Yorkshire And The Humber a range of travel experiences. When choosing a hotel, it makes sense to first decide which places and experiences you want to shape your stay: coastal scenery, wildlife watching, walking or cultural sites. The following highlights offer practical guidance for planning your trip.

Cliffs, moors and paths through the landscape

At RSPB Bempton Cliffs, around half a million seabirds gather on chalk cliffs above the North Sea between March and August. A level path suitable for pushchairs leads to the clifftop. The Yorkshire Coast is defined by high cliffs and rocky shores; a cliff-top path stretches for more than 30 miles. If you are interested in a route along a former railway line, the Cinder Track runs between Scarborough and Whitby. It is multi-use and cycle-friendly.

The North York Moors are home to England’s largest area of heather moorland. In the Yorkshire Dales, heather-covered moors, distinctive peaks and small-scale pastures alternate. Ancient glaciers shaped this landscape, which is also rich in fossils. These landscapes each have their own characteristics: from the coast with its cliffs to the heights and pastures of the Dales.

At Brimham Rocks, enormous, oddly shaped rock formations stand out. A mighty river shaped them 100 million years before the first dinosaurs appeared. The heather moorland there is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Regional heather species include ling, bell heather and cross-leaved heath.

There are also a range of options for walking and activities on the water. Many recommended walks in the Yorkshire Dales National Park start and finish at public transport stops; these include connections to the Settle-Carlisle Railway. The waterfalls, rivers and lakes in the national park are popular spots for picnicking, paddling and swimming. Kayaking, canoeing, sailing and windsurfing are also enjoyed there.

Heritage, museums and special experiences

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal combines ancient abbey ruins with an impressive water garden and deer park, and is a World Heritage Site. The deer park is home to 300 wild deer. A circular walk follows the winding River Skell over arched bridges. This place therefore brings together historic ruins, gardens and landscape features.

Saltaire tells another chapter of the region’s history: this complete, well-preserved 19th-century industrial village comprises textile mills, public buildings and workers’ housing. Its town planning and ideas about social welfare influenced the 19th-century garden city movement in the United Kingdom and later internationally. The place can be understood not only through its preserved buildings, but also through its influence on town planning and social ideas.

At York Castle Museum, a social history collection reflects everyday life in the county. Kirkgate, the museum’s reconstructed street, was influential worldwide in museum design. The museum is housed in a former debtors’ prison and an adjoining former women’s prison; both buildings are listed Grade I. The collection, reconstructed street and history of the buildings offer different ways to explore the past.

For outdoor art, Yorkshire Sculpture Park displays sculptures across a 500-acre landscape managed for conservation. The Deep is an education and conservation charity with an aquarium in Hull overlooking the Humber estuary. Yorkshire Wildlife Park in South Yorkshire offers a walk-through wildlife experience across more than 150 acres and includes three special walk-through animal reserves. The area figure may change as the park develops; the configuration of the reserves may also change. Individual exhibits and programmes may also vary.

If you are looking for a hotel in Yorkshire And The Humber, first choose the focus of your trip: for example, seasonal birdlife on the cliffs, landscapes and walks, water activities, or culture and art. You can then tailor your search to the places and experiences that matter most for your stay.

Discover more destinations

North Yorkshire, Bradford, Leeds, Barnsley, Kirklees, Wakefield, Rotherham, Sheffield, Doncaster, Scarborough, Filey, Calderdale, East Riding Of Yorkshire, Kingston Upon Hull, York, Stockton On The Forest, West Yorkshire, Penistone, South Yorkshire

For the main travel overview: United Kingdom.