North Yorkshire is a bucolic county and the largest of the four counties of Yorkshire as well as the largest county in England. It is also considered the most beautiful of all the counties. North Yorkshire is one region in Northern England that has not been touched by the Industrial Revolution. The county has been essentially a sheep country, and its wealth came from sheep wool since the Middles Ages. Instead of abandoned mines, mills and factories dotting the landscape of North Yorkshire, there are restored or ruins of wealthy abbeys and stately houses sitting on the countryside that serves as a reminder that raising sheep is a profitable occupation.
One of the most beautiful section of the North Yorkshire County which is packed with maritime marvels and mini adventures which sit between the North Sea and a magnificent moorland is the North York Moors National Park. A section of the North York Moors is a string of quaint fishing villages between Saltburn and Cloughton. These villages with its tiny cottages and winding streets have their particular appeal and story to tell from exciting high seas adventures and smuggling. Also, the tourist towns of Whitby and Scarborough with their seaside resorts are also quite famous like the spa town of Harrogate. However, the biggest attraction of North Yorkshire is still a citified one, the city of York, the most visited city in England outside of London.
Food and shopping
The best county when it comes to eating out is North Yorkshire according to Harden’s Best UK Restaurant Guide for 2017, and the foodie capital of North Yorkshire is York. North Yorkshire lives up to that expectation since someone will always find somewhere to eat that will satisfy his dining preference, taste and budget. The best examples of where to go to dine in North Yorkshire would be the Lanterna Ristorante, Magpie Cafe, Pheasant Hotel, Estbek House, Star Inn and Black Swan. The coastline of North Yorkshire is also a foodie’s paradise with its fresh food, local produce and seafood. It is where you will find the best fish and chip shop, but it also has an extensive selection of restaurants, local inns, traditional pubs and tea rooms offering every kind of cuisine imaginable.
York and Harrogate are the shopping meccas of North Yorkshire. At York, you’ll find the York Designer Outlet where big-name labels can be had at reasonable prices. But browsing the almost inexhaustible array of antique and vintage shops, independent stores, high street names along the cobbled streets of York is a real shopper’s dream. While at Harrogate, the maxim “shop till you drop” is a truism with its never ending collection of retailers that caters to everyone’s shopping needs. From fashion, and accessories to gifts and homewares, you ask for it, Harrogate has it.
Where to stay Accommodation in North Yorkshire comes in different types. Hotels are ranging from the ostentatious hotel chains and boutique hotels to inexpensive yet stylish hotels. There are also elegant townhouses, self-catering accommodations, B&Bs and cosy family-owned guesthouses. From the bustling city centre to the sprawling countryside around the towns, a guest can find the perfect lodging that will suit his preference and budget.
Things to do and see
Driving around in a self-drive rental van or your car, cycling or walking, you will surely come across a lot of the fascinating and beautiful features of the North Yorkshire – historic houses, rock formation dating back to the Ice Age, old abbeys and ancient crafts. The most popular walking trail is the 26 miles Three Peaks walk near Settle which passes Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-Gent. For the not too adventurous, they can try Ingleton Waterfalls walk or even visit the Ingleborough and White Scar Caves. Spectacular scenery, exciting trails, beautiful villages and the waving heather ground cover in late summer are The North York Moors’ and The Bishop Burton village’s offerings to guests.
The impressive historical sites, many of which have been used as TV or film backgrounds are also a must see and visit. This includes the Deathly Hollows at Malham Cove for Harry Potter, Castle Howards for Brideshead Revisited, Scarborough for Little Voice, Aysgarth Falls for some scenes of Robin Hood, and Thirsk for All Creatures Great and Small.
