What to See in Yorkshire: York, Whitby, the Moors and Itinerary

Purple moors, ruined abbeys, stone villages and cliffs battered by the North Sea: the Yorkshire, Yorkshire, the largest county in England, boasts an astonishing variety of landscapes. Here's what to see in Yorkshire, how much time to allow, and our suggested itinerary. Based in the UK since 2012, we organize tailor-made trips throughout the north of England.

In short: In Yorkshire, don't miss the medieval city of York, Whitby Abbey and Robin Hood's Bay on the coast, the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales National Parks, Fountains Abbey (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Castle Howard, Harrogate, and Haworth, the village of the Brontë sisters. Allow 5 to 7 days, ideally by car.

What to see in Yorkshire: the must-sees

York, the medieval city

First, with its Gothic cathedral, city walls, and the famous Shambles, York is the historical heart of the region. Read our guide What to do in York.

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In the city, you enjoy exploring…

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Need a break?

A local cafe or pubA museum or a monument

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What appeals to you most?

The atmosphere of the streets and marketsHistory and architecture

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Whitby and the coast

Further along the coast, Whitby harbor is dominated by the ruins of its abbey, which can be reached by climbing 199 steps. Indeed, it was here that Bram Stoker found inspiration for part of Dracula. A few kilometers away, Robin Hood's Bay charms visitors with its narrow streets that slope down to the sea.

The North York Moors

Further inland, this national park is covered in heather moors, which turn purple at the end of summer. Furthermore, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway steam train runs through it; Goathland station even stood in for Hogsmeade station in Harry Potter.

The Yorkshire Dales

To the west, verdant valleys, stone walls, and peaceful villages: the Dales are a hiker's paradise. Above all, don't miss the limestone cliffs of Malham Cove and the Ribblehead Viaduct on the Settle–Carlisle railway line.

Abbeys, castles and villages

• Fountains Abbey and the gardens of Studley Royal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Castle Howard, a sumptuous baroque mansion, setting for the Bridgerton series.
• Harrogate, an elegant spa town, famous for its Bettys tea room.
• Haworth, the village of the Brontë sisters, with the parsonage museum where they wrote their novels.

To complement this, also read our guides to Bridgerton filming locations and England's most beautiful cathedrals.

What to see in Yorkshire in 6 days: our itinerary

• Days 1 and 2: York and Castle Howard.
• Day 3: the North York Moors and the steam train.
• Day 4: Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay.
• Day 5: Fountains Abbey and Harrogate.
• Day 6: the Yorkshire Dales, Malham and Haworth.

Finally, for a turnkey trip, discover our tour following in the footsteps of Wuthering Heights and our guide to northern England. More information is available on the official website. Welcome to Yorkshire.

Frequently Asked Questions about Yorkshire

How many days does it take to visit Yorkshire?

Generally, allow at least 5 days to see York, the coast and the two national parks, and a week to fully enjoy it.

How to get to Yorkshire from London?

In practice, the train connects London to York in about 2 hours. Afterwards, a car is recommended for exploring the countryside and the coast.

What is the best time to visit Yorkshire?

From May to September, the climate is milder. Then, in August, the North York Moors are covered in purple heather. Finally, in December, York also hosts a beautiful Christmas market.

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