Yorkshire, it has been said, is “a country in a county”. It’s a place that brings all kinds of images to mind: rugged moorland, historic cities, working mills, and old steel towns. That mix of landscapes and stories is a big part of what makes it so interesting. Here are some of the best things to do in Yorkshire while you’re there.
An electric cable instead of a boat tows you around the water at Rother Valley Country Park near Rotherham – this park is one of the few places in the country to offer cable waterskiing.
This 750-acre park, created in the 1980s on former coal mining land, has become a thriving recreational area.
The "ski-lift" pulls up to eight waterskiers or wakeboarders at intervals around the shallow waters of its 87-acre lake. Speeds vary from 16 miles per hour (26 kilometers per hour) for beginners to 36 miles per hour (58 kilometers per hour) for experts. It's environmentally friendly, producing zero emissions compared to speedboats, and costs a fraction of what you'd pay for speedboat-towed skiing.
Adventure seekers will want to try cable waterskiing © jeff gynane/Shutterstock
Originally invented by the Italians during World War I to move troops around the Alps, Via Ferrata – meaning "iron road" – centers have spread across the world. In Yorkshire, the Via Ferrata at How Stean Gorge near Pateley Bridge is the place for those chasing a rush.
One of just a handful in England, it offers a lengthy scramble along a 80-foot (24-meter) deep limestone chasm using fixed beams, cables, and ladders. The "Iron Way" courses involve expert-accompanied wading through waterfalls, rock traversing, abseiling, scrambling up ladders and along beams, with your very own DVD of the experience recorded on the guide's head-cam.
How Stean Gorge itself has been a tourist attraction since Victorian times, when visitors would come to admire what was called "Little Switzerland" for its dramatic scenery. The gorge was formed over thousands of years by the action of water eroding the limestone.
You don't need snow for husky-trekking – you can become a "musher" on grass at Pesky Husky in Staintondale between Scarborough and Whitby. Learn to drive your own team of dogs or, if you're feeling a little less energetic, opt for a gentle hike through the North York Moors with some canine companions instead.
The North York Moors National Park spans 554 square miles (1,435 square kilometers) of heather moorland, ancient woodland, and dramatic coastline. The area is particularly spectacular in late August and early September when the heather blooms, covering the landscape in a purple carpet.
Husky in North Yorkshire © Tongsai/Shutterstock
This is snowboarding – but not as you know it. This version uses boards with four wheels to whizz up and over the rocks without a snowflake in sight. Try it at Another World Mountain Boarding Center in the hills above Ogden Reservoir north of Halifax.
The center sits at an elevation of about 1,000 feet (305 meters) with stunning views across the Pennine hills. Lessons begin on gentle slopes before progressing to more challenging terrain with jumps and obstacles for the adventurous.
Mountain boarding (sometimes called dirt boarding) was developed in the early 1990s by snowboarders looking to practice during summer months. The boards are specifically designed with pneumatic tires that can handle rough terrain
Ogden Reservoir in Halifax, Yorkshire © Shutterstock
Near City Square in Leeds is a little area named Bond Court where you'll find the delightful, if little low-profile, Leeds Petanque Court. Here you can indulge in a quintessentially French, and extremely civilized, game of boules. And it’s absolutely free. The wedge of gravel is overlooked by a noticeboard bearing the rules and there are tables and chairs around the court for spectators.
Leeds itself is Yorkshire's largest city, with a population of over 500,000, and has transformed from an industrial powerhouse to a vibrant city with excellent shopping, dining and nightlife.
Playing petanque © Shutterstock
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is a true natural wonder that is sure to take your breath away. With ith its rolling hills, dramatic limestone cliffs, and picturesque villages built from distinctive local stone, the park is a paradise
Take a scenic drive through the park, stopping at charming towns like Grassington with its cobbled square dating back to the 17th century, or Hawes, home to the famous Wensleydale cheese made famous by Wallace and Gromit.
Or, explore the park's many hiking trails, which range from gentle strolls to challenging treks.
The Dales are known for their dramatic scenery, including the Three Peaks—Whernside, Ingleborough, and Pen-y-ghent—along with striking limestone pavements and more than 50 miles (80 kilometers) of underground caves.
The Yorkshire Dales, seen from the Buttertubs Pass © Shutterstock
The Forbidden Corner is a unique and whimsical attraction located near Middleham in the Yorkshire Dales. This quirky four-acre garden was originally built as a private folly in the 1980s but opened to the public due to popular demand.
Explore a labyrinth of tunnels, hidden chambers, and secret gardens, each with its own magical theme and unexpected twist. Encounter statues that come to life, fountains that spray you when you least expect it, and a giant dragon that breathes smoke and fire. The entire experience is designed to surprise and delight visitors of all ages.
The Fountains Abbey ruins and Studley Royal Water Garden sit just outside Ripon and have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1986. It’s a mix of historical architecture and carefully landscaped gardens, and you can easily do both in one visit.
The abbey itself dates back to the 12th century and is one of the more complete Cistercian monasteries still standing. The nave stretches about 300 feet (91 meters), and you can walk through the old cloisters, dormitory, and chapter house to get a feel for what monastic life was like. At its height, the community included around 150 monks and 500 lay brothers.
From there, it’s an easy walk to the Studley Royal Water Garden. This 18th-century garden was designed by John Aislabie, a politician who turned to landscape design after a fall from grace. It’s made up of man-made lakes, canals, waterfalls, and formal pathways—one of the earliest examples of the Georgian “English garden” style that later became influential across Europe.
Fountains Abbey, Ripon, Yorkshire © Shutterstock
Flamingo Land is a theme park and zoo in one, with over 100 rides, shows, and animal exhibits. It’s one of Yorkshire’s bigger family attractions, and the mix of roller coasters and wildlife keeps it varied.
If you’re into thrill rides, Mumbo Jumbo has a steep 112-degree drop, while Kumali is a looping coaster that reaches speeds of up to 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour). The zoo area has more than 140 species from across the globe, including giraffes, tigers, and—you guessed it—flamingos.
This is one of the best things to do in England with kids. The park was founded in 1959 when a local businessman purchased a small collection of flamingos and opened a small zoo.
Sutton Bank is a high escarpment in the North York Moors that gives you wide views over the Vale of York. At 978 feet (298 meters) above sea level, it’s one of the more accessible places to take in the landscape without needing to hike too far.
You can walk a short path to the viewpoint itself or head out on one of the longer trails in the area. The Cleveland Way National Trail passes through here and is a good option if you’re after a longer walk. Another local landmark is the White Horse of Kilburn—a large chalk figure carved into the hillside in 1857. There’s a path that leads right up to it if you want to take a closer look.
Sutton Bank at Sunset, North Yorkshire, UK © Shutterstock
Castle Howard is a large country house set in parkland about 15 miles northeast of York. Despite the name, it’s not a castle—it’s more of a stately home, built in the early 1700s for the 3rd Earl of Carlisle by architect Sir John Vanbrugh.
The house was constructed over the course of a century and features Baroque design, elaborate interiors, and an extensive art collection. It covers around 145,000 square feet (13,500 square meters). The surrounding grounds stretch across 1,000 acres (405 hectares), with lakes, woodland, gardens, temples and statues.
The scale of the project was so large that Vanbrugh didn’t live to see it completed. Today, it’s open to visitors, and you can walk through both the house and the gardens.
The Atlas Fountain at Castle Howard in North Yorkshire © Shutterstock
Mother Shipton's Cave is a fascinating and mysterious attraction located in Knaresborough that is tied to centuries of folklore. It's one of England's oldest paid tourist attraction, having charged admission since 1630.
This natural limestone cave is said to be the birthplace of the famous prophetess Mother Shipton (Ursula Southeil), born in 1488, who reportedly predicted numerous events including the Great Fire of London and the defeat of the Spanish Armada. While here, explore the winding passageways of the cave and find unusual rock formations, underground streams, and eerie stalactites and stalagmites.
The main attraction is the Petrifying Well, a limestone-rich water source that turns objects into stone. Items hanging under the dripping water gradually become calcified and turn to stone over months or years. People hang teddy bears, hats, shoes—whatever—and after a few months, they’re completely coated in limestone.
The York Castle Museum is set in a former prison built in 1705 and focuses on everyday life in Yorkshire over the past 400 years. It’s known for its interactive exhibits and large collection of artifacts.
One of the main draws is Kirkgate, a recreated Victorian street with actual shops, homes, and businesses from the 19th century. There are sound effects and even smells to bring it to life, and you might run into staff in costume as you explore. You’ll also find extensive collections of toys, fashion, weapons, and household goods.
The museum holds over a million objects, from Roman finds to more recent memorabilia. You can also visit preserved prison cells that held people awaiting trial or execution between the early 1700s and 1929.
York Castle Museum in York © Shutterstock
Clifford’s Tower is the last major part of York Castle still standing. It was built in the 13th century on the orders of King Henry III and sits on a 50-foot (15-meter) high mound just outside the city center.
The tower has served many roles over the centuries—as a royal residence, a prison, and a military barracks. It’s also the site of a major anti-Jewish pogrom that took place in 1190, a tragic event that’s now commemorated there.
The tower’s unusual four-lobed layout isn’t something you see often in England. If you climb to the top, there’s an open-air wall walk where you can look out over York and the surrounding area in every direction.
Clifford's Tower, York © Shutterstock
If you're into trains—or just curious about how they shaped the UK—this museum in York is worth a stop. It’s huge, with over 100 locomotives and hundreds of other rail-related pieces.
One of the big draws is the Mallard, a sleek steam engine that hit 126 mph (203 km/h) back in 1938. It still holds the speed record for steam trains.
You’ll also find Queen Victoria’s plush royal carriage, a Japanese bullet train (the only one outside Japan), and Station Hall, where you can walk through historic passenger carriages in a converted goods depot.
This massive cathedral has dominated York’s skyline for centuries. As one of the largest and most spectacular cathedrals in Europe, York Minster has an incredible collection of medieval stained glass, intricate stonework, and breathtaking vaulted ceilings.
Construction on the current building began in 1220 and took around 250 years to finish, but there’s been a church on this site since 627 AD. You can explore its history through guided tours, visit the undercroft museum where Roman and Viking artifacts are displayed, or climb the 275 steps to the top of the central tower for views over the city.
York Minster © David Ionut/Shutterstock
Bradford has a long-standing reputation for its South Asian cuisine and has been named the “Curry Capital of Britain” several times. Its connection to curry goes back to the 1950s, when many people from Pakistan and India moved to the area to work in the textile industry.
Today, there are more than 200 Asian restaurants in the city. Well-known names include Mumtaz, MyLahore, and Aagrah, each serving their own take on classic dishes. Every summer, Bradford hosts the International Indian Food Festival, which brings in over 40,000 visitors to try food from across the Indian subcontinen
written by
Dre Roelandt
updated 19.08.2025
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