North Yorkshire

The Dales and Moors, a rugged and historical coast line, heritage and culture, quality shopping and eating, adrenalin pumping activities North Yorkshire has it all. Whatever your age, whatever your interests you will never be bored with time spent in North Yorkshire

Only 2 hours from London by train, with your easy road access from the A1 and M62, ferry services into Hull and Newcastle and international airports like Leeds/Bradford and Teesside North Yorkshire is never far away.

Spend time in our National Parks, mountain bike in Dalby Forest, surf off the beach in Scarborough, soar in a glider from Sutton Bank, walk to the summit of Ingleborough, collect fossils on the dinosaur coast, climb on the Cow and Calf , North Yorkshire is the great outdoors

Hungry? We have great produce, great suppliers, great cafes, tearooms and restaurants. From Michelin Stars and Rosettes to fish and chips, from Yorkshire Teas with china cups to fat rascals with a mug . Stop at a road side table and put your money in an honesty box for free range eggs and homemade jam. Enjoy a pint or two of local beer, Black Sheep in Masham, Sam Smiths from Tadcaster and an ever growing number of micro breweries

Visit our market towns such as Hawes, Skipton, Pickering, Leyburn, Richmond, Thirsk. Search for bargains and traditional crafts, visit festivals and shows, engage with local people and experience our culture.

Do we have heritage and history? York with its Minster and Walls, Fountains Abbey , Castle Howard, coastal villages like Robin Hoods Bay and Staithes, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Eden Camp, the National Railway Museum, heritage trails and folk museums.

Retail Therapy? York again, the spa and floral town of Harrogate but what about Northallerton, Skipton and Helmsley. We have many independent shops and outlets making for a different shopping experience most towns have book shops, antiques centres and flea markets.

Spot of Culture? There is top quality theatre across the region maybe the Stephen Joseph in Scarborough or the Royal in York, music festivals, regular art events like Open Studios.

Experience the traditions of rural North Yorkshire at annual shows and festivals from the Great Yorkshire to Slingsby Scarecrow Festival.

Got a flavour? Find out more by visiting our North Yorkshire members site and www.yorkshiremoorsandcoast.com and www.yorkshiredalesandharrogate.com

Whatever you want you’ll find it in North Yorkshire

East Yorkshire

Rockpools at Flamborough Head, diving gannets at Bempton Cliffs, the isolation of Spurn Point, the bohemian Old Town in Bridlington, awe inspiring Beverley Minster, the rolling Wolds there is so much to enjoy in East Yorkshire.

The snowdrop trail at Burton Agnes Hall, the Christmas Fayre at Sledmere House, Sewerby Hall and Gardens,Burton Constable Hall, Burnby Hall gardens for great days out.

The coast from Bridlington to Spurn Point offers everything from lettered rock and sandcastle making to wild cliff tops and beaches with fabulous fresh air. Go for a cruise from Bridlington Harbour, shop in the Freeport at Hornsea, spend a day trolling around the narrow streets in historic Beverley or maybe go to the races .

Then of course there is Hull where ongoing investment is regenerating and improving this great fishing port and City. The modern city is a vibrant mix of culture, shopping and nightlife with something for everyone.

The City has eight free museums including the Maritime Museum, the hands on Museum, the Ferens Art Gallery and Wilberforce House, celebrating the links with the anti slave movement. The award winning Deep is the world’s only submarium and houses over 3,000 fish and seven species of sharks.

The many hostelries, cafes and restaurants give the City a night time buzz and there is top quality performance at Hull Truck and Hull New Theatres.

Hull was ruuner up in as the most enterprising place in the UK in 2009 and has been shortlisted for the European Awards in 2010.

East Yorkshire is easily accessed by road along the M62 and there are good train services and,of course, ferries into Hull

East Yorkshire is less well known than it deserves to be-pay a visit and see for yourself.

Visit our East Yorkshire members websites for local information and see www.vhey.co.uk or www.realyorkshire.co.uk.

South Yorkshire

South Yorkshire enjoys some of the best road and rail communications in the whole of England and is an ideal base to visit many of the region’s places of interest. Once known largely for an industrial heritage of coal and steel, the major centres of Sheffield, Rotherham, Doncaster and Barnsley have undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years and you are now much more likely to find a film production crew or other ‘creatives’ setting up shop in the region. The reason why is simple – there is an exciting lifestyle on offer to both residents and visitors whether your interests are in the great outdoors, cultural activities or just good food, good beer and
good company.

Places to visit and things to do

The junction of the M1/M18 at the southern tip of Yorkshire is your gateway to some great days out in Yorkshire and its neighbours including…

• Chatsworth House – one of the finest historic estates in England, Chatsworth is the home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and is located in the heart of the Derbyshire Peak District National Park with its stunning moorland scenery, other historic houses and opportunities for some satisfying walking and cycling. Chatsworth has in recent years been used as a location for several major films including Pride and Prejudice, The Duchess, and The Wolfman.
• The Sherwood Forest area of North Nottinghamshire is well known as the home of the legendary Robin Hood and includes the ever popular Clumber Park (National Trust), which, with its formal gardens, wooded parkland and popular programme of open air concerts, makes an ideal place for a family
  picnic.
• The ancient cities of York and Lincoln with their unique historic buildings, museums and specialist shops can both be reached within an hour.
• The vibrant city of Sheffield has many world class venues for the avid concert or theatre goer including the Crucible and Lyceum theatres, Sheffield Arena and Sheffield City Hall (The Oval Hall). The Crucible is well known for hosting the World Snooker Championships each year and Sheffield Arena frequently plays host to major events [most recently BBC Sports Personality of the Year]. Two top class Universities ensure the city is well provided with lively bars and restaurants.
• ‘A day at the races’ at Doncaster – home of the St Leger Stakes – the oldest of Britain’s five classic flat races.
• Visit Abbeydale Industrial Hamlet, Kelham Island Museum and the award winning Magna Science Centre and explore the industrial heritage of this part of England.

Don’t forget to look out for events at our other local venues – you never know what you might find.

For the more active, this part of South Yorkshire is an excellent base for walkers and cyclists with the Peak District and Trent Valley areas offering varied terrains for visitors of all abilities. Facilities built for the World Student Games, including Don Valley Stadium and Ponds Forge Swimming Pool, now host regular world class competitions and are in great demand as England prepares to host the Olympic Games, while Olympic size ice skating rinks can be found at IceSheffield. Nearby Rother Valley Country Park – the site chosen for the new £300m YES Leisure and Entertainment Project – regularly hosts water-sports championships.

If you are travelling between the South of England and Scotland, why not take a short break at one or more of Yorkshire’s Finest properties on your way.

West Yorkshire

Once a heartland of dark satanic mills based on the textiles industry West Yorkshire is now a fascinating mix of city life, stunning scenery, diverse cultures, industrial heritage and history.

With a direct rail line from London to Leeds and Wakefield, an international airport and an excellent road network based on the M1 and M62 West Yorkshire is easily accessible wherever you live.

Leeds is a truly European city with top name shops in the Victorian Quarter, a noisy indoor market, renowned restaurants and cafes, museums and galleries, international sports venues and a variety of theatres. Browse in Harvey Nicholls, eat tripe and onions in the market, watch the jousting at the Royal Armouries, take in a performance at the West Yorkshire Playhouse, stroll around Kirkstall Abbey or sit and watch the world go by in a street café.

Bradford is home to the National Media Museum with its IMAX screen and the Alambra Theatre a home for most of the big touring shows. Have a stroll round Little Germany, pick up bargains in fabric and spices and end the day by sampling some of the finest Asian cuisine. Get the train to the Victorian model village of Saltaire a UNESCO World Heritage site, visit the David Hockney gallery and then maybe a walk along the towpath of the Leeds Liverpool canal to the Five Rise Locks in Bingley.

Next stop Keighley for a trip on the Worth Valley Railway, on which the Railway Children was filmed, and then on to Haworth,home of the Brontes, to visit the Parsonage and walk to Wuthering Heights.

Huddersfield and Halifax both have easy access to the walking and outdoor activities on the backbone of England, the Pennines. Officially funky Hebden Bridge, Mytholmroyd, the home of Ted Hughes,” incredible edible” Todmorden with its guerilla gardeners, Holmfirth, the home of Last of the Summer Wine are all worth a visit for independent shops and good walking.

Pick up a section of the Pennine Way for amazing scenery with views of both Yorkshire and Lancashire, walk part of the Leeds –Liverpool canal, stroll on Ilkley Moor, with or without a hat.

Harewood House with its beautiful architecture and gardens is a huge draw but try East Riddlesden Hall, Nostell Priory and Temple Newsam as well.

West Yorkshire attracts people for reasons as varied as the choices it has on offer.

Morning walking the Pennines, afternoon in designer shops, evening watching Shakespeare and a curry on the way home-a great day in West Yorkshire

Our members websites have more details or visit www.yorkshire.com and follow the West Yorkshire links.