The Best Places for your Yorkshire Holiday
From the stylish shops of Leeds to the sweeping swathes of moorland, Yorkshire is an impressively varied part of the country, with something for everyone to enjoy. Whatever you want from a UK holiday, you’ll find it in “God’s Own Country.”
Here’s the Handpicked Cottages guide to the best places to stay in Yorkshire.
Where to stay in Yorkshire
Yorkshire is divided into four historic counties, each with its own character. North Yorkshire is home to elegant towns like Harrogate and York as well as the famous moors. West Yorkshire was one of Britain’s industrial heartlands, and you’ll find all sorts of fascinating museums and visitor centres in cities like Leeds and Bradford.
South Yorkshire is part of the stunning Peak District, while the East Riding of Yorkshire has some dramatic coastline as well as its pretty inland landscape. If we had to pick a favourite Yorkshire county, we genuinely couldn’t. Each one features stunning scenery interspersed with characterful towns and cities, and of course, there’s that wonderful seam of pithy humour and down-to-earth hospitality that runs through the whole of Yorkshire.
The beautiful North York Moors
The North York Moors is a National Park that stretches between Scarborough, Thirsk and Teesside. It’s 554 square miles of scenic beauty, from heathland plateaus to wooded valleys, and it goes without saying that it’s an excellent place for walkers. Pretty towns like Pickering, Helmsley and Goathland break up the wild landscape, and you’re close to famous seaside resorts including Whitby and Scarborough. Take a trip across the moors on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway or see the moors from horseback on a pony hack.
Stay in the gorgeous National Park in Pheasant Lodge, a luxury Scandi-inspired cabin near Pickering.
Escape to the Yorkshire Dales and Wolds
If you prefer a gentler, more bucolic landscape, head for the rolling countryside of the Yorkshire Dales or Yorkshire Wolds. This is the Yorkshire that you see in films and on the television: lush, green and dotted with little stone villages (and sheep). Towns such as Settle and Pateley Bridge offer fabulous local food, while places like Malham Cove and Gordale Scar are some of the best-loved walking spots in Britain.
Pretty Bluebell is in Lofthouse, a handy base for exploring the National Parks.
Yorkshire holiday cottages close to towns and cities
Looking for a city break? We have some lovely holiday cottages in and close to famous Yorkshire towns such as Harrogate, Halifax and Beverley. Places like Pickering and Thirsk give you the comfort of a town with easy access to the National Parks, or look out for cottages close to Sheffield, Leeds and historic York if you want to enjoy one of Yorkshire’s vibrant cities.
Explore Yorkshire’s coast
Yorkshire might not be the first place you think of when you hear the words “beach holiday”. However, Scarborough, Whitby and Bridlington are all classic British seaside resorts, complete with traditional beachy features like fish’n’chips, rows of beach huts and boat trips.
Smaller Robin Hood’s Bay and Staithes compete with places like Cornwall for sheer prettiness. There’s also some great coastal walking in Yorkshire, and you can combine a hike with bird spotting at RSPB Bempton Cliffs or rock pooling at Flamborough Head.
Cottages close to historic sites
History fans will love staying in Yorkshire. York is one of the UK’s most-loved historic cities, with a fantastic choice of museums and attractions, while Harrogate is the epitome of a genteel Victorian spa resort. The country is dotted with ruined abbeys (Fountains Abbey is a must-see) and castles (try Knaresborough, Richmond and Skipton).
Magnificent stately homes include Harewood House and Temple Newsam, and of course, the iconic Castle Howard.
Find your perfect holiday cottage in Yorkshire
Here at Handpicked Cottages, we have a collection of luxury holiday cottages across Yorkshire. Pour yourself a glass of Black Sheep and tuck into the Wensleydale in one of these wonderfully comfortable cottages.
