But wait, there’s more.
York is ideally situated, close to the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors, the Yorkshire Wolds, and the Coast. The Peak District isn’t that far away either. Here’s a short list of some of the other attractions beyond York.
North (the North York Moors)
A famous and very stately home where they filmed Bridgerton and Brideshead Revisited.
The grounds at this NT property are lovely and full of snowdrops in spring.
This lovely NT property, nestled on the quiet banks of the river Rye, Nunnington Hall is a charming Yorkshire manor house complete with period features, events all year around, art and photography exhibitions, English country walled gardens and wild meadows. We spotted an otter playing in the river.
Another one of those ruins created by those thugs, Henry and Cromwell. Still beautiful though. The nearby village of Helmsley, from which the walk to Rievaulx is about 3 miles, has a lovely walled garden and a charming town centre with nice cafes.
A river runs through this picturesque little village. It has a nice pub and cafes and is home to the open-air Ryedale Folk Museum, which includes a collection of restored old shops, blacksmith forges, old cottages, a medieval manor hall, a collection of exquisite crafts, an iron age hut and much more. A great day out for the kids.
It’s a short hop from here up onto the heather covered moors and then on to Danby.
On your way to the east cost harbours, such as Whitby, it’s worth stopping off for lunch in Goathland, especially if you’ve got a Harry Potter fan in the family. They filmed several scenes for Harry Potter from the station and you can ride the steam train.
A short distance from Castle Howard, Yorkshire Lavender is a fragrant place with sweeping rows of lavender and everything lavender in the shop.
South (the Peak District)
The grounds of this extensive park are dotted with the sculpture of many famous artists. The visitors centre houses exhibitions and a tasty cafe.
One of the most famous of all stately homes, Chatsworth is nestled in extensive grounds not far from the lovely village of Bakewell..
East (the Yorkshire Wolds and the Coast)
Burton Agnes Hall is an Elizabethan, historic, stately home in East Yorkshire. We loved the panelled interiors and family history.
Staithes, Robin Hoods Bay and Whitby are each quaint fishing villages on the east coast, each with its own mix of attractions. Parking can be an issue but they’re well worth the effort.
There’s also the larger, and very popular, Scarborough where you can watch the hoi polloi have fun on the sands.
Between York and the east coast lie the Yorkshire Wolds, a landscape of ‘dry valleys’ – beautiful curving valleys with no river at the bottom, created by glacial action. If you like walking, try a bit of the Wolds Way which wends through the wolds near Fridaythorpe and Huggate. The pic above shows Nicky sitting on one of poetry benches which can be found along the way.
West (the Yorkshire Dales)
Visit the home of Gentleman Jack. No, neither Ann Lister nor her home was invented for the TV series.
Like literature? Visit the Bronte Parsonage, home of the Bronte sisters, authors of some of the most famous and dramatic novels in the English language.
