9 Beautiful Places in Yorkshire You Need To Visit
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost for you!
Yorkshire is one of the most beautiful regions in England and a place I never get tired of.
As a matter of fact, everytime I want to go on a day trip from Manchester and don’t know where to go, I go to Yorkshire because I know it will always be beautiful!
Yorkshire is known for its historic towns, beautiful villages, stunning coastline and wide open landscapes.
From small villages surrounded by hills to seaside towns with narrow streets and old harbours, there are many places here that are well worth exploring.
Whether you are planning a trip to Yorkshire or just want to get some travel inspiration, here are 9 beautiful places in Yorkshire you should add to your list.
1. Haworth
Located in West Yorkshire, Haworth is a historic village best known for its connection to the Brontë sisters.
The writers lived here in the 19th century and their former home is now the Brontë Parsonage Museum.
The village is centred around Haworth Main Street, a steep cobbled street lined with stone houses, small shops, cafés and traditional pubs.
One of the most noticeable shops is the Cabinet of Curiosities which offers all sorts of products such as bathbombs, soaps, special edition books and more. The front of the shop is absolutely beautiful and always very well decorated, especially in autumn.
Nearby, you can also explore the moorlands that inspired many of the Brontë novels and go to the Brontë waterfall.
If you love steam trains, you can also hop on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway.
READ MORE: Haworth Day Out Itinerary 🚶♂️📖
2. Knaresborough
Located in North Yorkshire, Knaresborough is a picturesque market town built along the River Nidd known for its stunning viaduct and historic castle ruins.
While I think Yorkshire is beautiful with any kind of weather, this is a place that I would recommend visiting on a nice and sunny day. You’ll enjoy it a lot more as one of the best things to do here is to walk along the riverside path.
In the warmer months, you can also hire a rowing boat and go on the river, under the viaduct, which is a really lovely experience.
For the best views, head to the castle first (which is interesting to visit too) and you can walk to the edge of the park towards the stairs. From there you can see the viaduct, the river and the town, it’s stunning!
Another interesting place to visit is Mother Shipton’s Cave, one of England’s oldest tourist attractions. The cave is linked to a famous local prophetess who lived in the 16th century.
There are also several cafés and small shops in the town centre, making it a great place for a day out.
READ MORE: Knaresborough & Harrogate Day Out 🚗🌿🫖
3. Staithes
Staithes is a small fishing village on the Yorkshire coast that feels like stepping back in time.
The village sits around a sheltered harbour and is made up of narrow streets, winding alleys and traditional cottages.
You can park at the top of the village (there is a pay and display carpark) and walk down to the village.
The best thing to do is just to roam around and explore but there are a few spots that you should definitely check out.
The harbour in itself is beautiful and there is also a little beach that is very nice in summer.
The Cod & Lobster is one of the most beautiful pubs in England so if you can find a space (it can get quite busy), it’s worth going there.
For beautiful views and photos, I recommend going on the other side to Cowbar Bank. You get to see the entire village and harbour from there.
4. Whitby
Whitby is one of the most famous seaside towns in Yorkshire and one of my favourites in the whole of the UK.
The town is known for its historic harbour, cobbled Georgian town centre, sandy beach and the impressive ruins of Whitby Abbey.
You can reach the abbey by climbing the 199 steps, which offer beautiful views over the town and the sea.
The town centre is very quaint and you’ll find loads of bars, cafes and restaurants.
Whitby is also famous for its connection to Dracula and Captain Cook. If you’re interested in this, make sure to go to the abbey, Dracula Experience and the Captain Cook Museum.
Finally, you can walk or cycle along the Cinder Track all the way to Robin Hood’s Bay or Scarborough.
5. Robin Hood’s Bay
Just down the road from Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay is one of the most beautiful villages on the Yorkshire coast.
It’s built on a steep hillside and the narrow streets lead down towards the sea. Along the way you’ll find historic cottages, small shops and cosy pubs.
Robin Hood’s Bay was once a centre for fishing and smuggling, and many of the buildings here date back several centuries.
It’s also where the Coast to Coast Walk finishes so you’ll find a lot of hikers around here.
You can park at the top of the village and walk down. Please note that this is very steep which means it’s not the easiest.
I would not recommend taking a pram, believe me that’s a mistake I still regret!
6. Hawes
Located in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Hawes is a beautiful market town (featured in the Wallace & Gromit films) surrounded by beautiful countryside.
The town is best known for the Wensleydale Creamery, where the famous Wensleydale cheese (featured in the Wallace & Gromit films) is made.
You can visit the creamery, learn about the cheese-making process and of course try a few samples. Even if you don’t want to visit the creamery, it’s worth going there for the shop, café and free carpark.
Hawes is also a great base for exploring the surrounding area as there are loads of waterfalls nearby including Cotter Force, Hardraw Force and Aysgarth Falls.
READ MORE: Hawes Day Trip in the Yorkshire Dales 🚗🌿
7. Malham
Also in the Yorkshire Dales, Malham is a small village that has loads to offer to hikers and Harry Potter fans.
As you get there, you can park at the visitor centre. There is a pay and display carpark. If you are there very early, you might be able to score a free spot on the side of the road but there aren’t a lot.
From there you can start exploring. The most remarkable landmark is Malham Cove. It’s a huge limestone cliff formation that was shaped thousands of years ago. It’s a really unique place and the views over the countryside are nothing short of extraordinary.
It was also used as a filming location in one of the Harry Potter movies.
You can walk there and back from the carpark but I personally recommend doing the bigger loop (which is actually easier though longer) via Janet’s Foss waterfall and Gordale Scar
If you are up for even more of a hike, you can even go all the way to Malham Tarn.
READ MORE: Malham Hiking Day Out (Yorkshire Dales) 🥾⛰️
8. Hebden Bridge
Hebden Bridge is a lively market town in West Yorkshire and makes for an easy day trip from Leeds or Manchester.
The town is known for its independent shops, cafés, bookshops and art galleries. It has a very creative and slightly alternative feel compared to many other towns in the region.
You can also walk along the Rochdale Canal and visit Hardcastle Crags (National Trust).
If you are visiting on Thursday, Friday, Saturday or Sunday, you’ll also find a market in the middle of the town centre. There are loads of local businesses and always some cool stuff there.
READ MORE: A Perfect Day Out in Hebden Bridge 🚶♂️🌿
9. York
It would be impossible to go to Yorkshire without going to York. This is one of the most beautiful cities in the UK and it’s absolutely worth your time!
I’ve been there more times than I can count and I love it just as much (if not more) every time!
When you get to York, head straight to The Shambles, a narrow lane lined with timber-framed buildings that looks like it’s out of Harry Potter.
This street can get busy so I would recommend going as early as possible.
From there you can visit York Minster, walk around the city walls, go on a river cruise and explore the many museums, cafés, shops and restaurants.
READ MORE: York 2-Day Itinerary 🏰🚶♀️🍫
I hope this article was helpful and it makes you want to visit Yorkshire because it truly is a beautiful place!
You may also be interested:
