North Yorkshire

Bolton Abbey is a stunning part of the Wharfedale countryside in the Yorkshire Dales, sitting right in the middle of the Duke of Devonshire's estate. Its main attraction is the romantic ruin of a twelfth-century Augustinian priory perched on a bend of the River Wharfe. While most of the priory crumbled after the Dissolution of the Monasteries, a portion of the church is still used today, and its ancient arches and stonework famously inspired the likes of Turner and Wordsworth.

The rest of the estate features miles of walks through riverside meadows, woods, and open moorland. You can cross the river via stepping stones or a wooden bridge, following the paths upstream to the Strid—a narrow, dangerous rocky gap where the entire river forces its way through. With clear trails, picnic areas, tea rooms, and plenty of wildlife, it's a wonderful spot for a day out in nature.

Castle Howard is a stunning Baroque estate nestled within a thousand acres of the North Yorkshire countryside. Commissioned by the 3rd Earl of Carlisle and designed starting in 1699 by Sir John Vanbrugh and Nicholas Hawksmoor, the house took over a hundred years to finish. Interestingly, Vanbrugh was actually a playwright with no prior training in architecture, but he still managed to create one of England's finest Baroque landmarks, famous for its towering painted dome.

The Howard family still lives here today, and the house is well-known for playing the role of Brideshead in the various adaptations of Brideshead Revisited. Visitors can explore the massive Great Hall, opulent state rooms, and a wealth of art and antiquities. The Grade I listed grounds are equally impressive, featuring lakes, fountains, and monuments like the Mausoleum and the Temple of the Four Winds. With its gardens, woodland trails, and adventure playground, it makes for a perfect day trip.

This four-mile heritage railway winds along the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales, connecting Embsay, north of Skipton, to Bolton Abbey near the ruins of the famous Wharfedale priory. Originally opened by the Midland Railway in 1888 to link Skipton and Ilkley, the line carried passengers and freight for decades before being shut down during the Beeching cuts of the 1960s.

Thanks to a group of passionate local volunteers, the railway was brought back to life, running its first trains from Embsay in 1979 and eventually extending to Bolton Abbey in 1998 after extensive repairs. Still mostly run by volunteers today, the line offers vintage steam and diesel trips for visitors. Starting at the atmospheric Victorian station in Embsay, the ride provides a relaxing way to see the Dales scenery. It is a nostalgic journey that drops passengers off right by the priory, riverside paths, and open moorland.

Perched on the edge of the charming market town of Helmsley in the North York Moors National Park, Helmsley Castle has a long history. While Walter Espec first built a fortification here in the early twelfth century, most of the stone fortress seen today was constructed by the de Roos family shortly after. Its striking D-shaped east tower remains a prominent feature of the local skyline.

Now managed by English Heritage, the site features atmospheric ruins surrounded by deep ditches that hint at its ancient defenses. Some sections were later turned into an Elizabethan mansion, where you can still see beautiful timber paneling and ornate plasterwork. The castle eventually fell to Parliamentary forces after a grueling Civil War siege and was intentionally damaged to prevent further use. Visitors can explore the history via an exhibition and audio guide, all while enjoying stunning views of the town and the moors.

Nunnington Hall is a warm, honey-colored manor house nestled beside the River Rye in the quiet countryside of Ryedale, North Yorkshire. Located near Helmsley in the Howardian Hills, the house evolved over 700 years into the charming home it is today. In 1952, the final private owner, Margaret Fife, gifted the estate, its gardens, and its contents to the National Trust.

Inside, you'll find moody rooms with wood paneling, carved fireplaces, and a striking ceiling decorated with family coats of arms, not to mention a legend about a haunted staircase. A highlight in the attic is the Carlisle Collection, one of the world's best displays of tiny, intricately detailed miniature rooms. Outside, the organic gardens stretch toward the river, where meadows, orchards, and roaming peacocks add to the laid-back vibe. It's a peaceful and rewarding place to visit in this sleepy corner of Yorkshire.

Nestled in the scenic village of Hutton-le-Hole in the North York Moors, the Ryedale Folk Museum is Yorkshire's premier open-air museum. Opened in 1964, the six-acre site features over twenty historic buildings, many of which were saved from across the region and carefully reconstructed here to chronicle 2,000 years of rural life in Ryedale.

Visitors can explore reconstructed cottages, farms, and workshops that make the past feel real, ranging from an Iron Age roundhouse to furnished Victorian and early 20th-century homes. You'll find traditional crafts on display, with workshops for cobblers, coopers, wheelwrights, saddlers, and a blacksmith's forge that's often in use. Old photographs, thousands of artifacts, and seasonal demos add a layer of authentic detail. Set against the backdrop of the moors and a charming village with sheep grazing on the green, the museum provides a captivating glimpse into centuries of Yorkshire country living.

High up in the Yorkshire Dales, the town of Hawes is home to the Wensleydale Creamery, where the world-famous crumbly white cheese is made. The tradition dates back to the twelfth-century Cistercian monks who first settled the valley, with local farmers keeping the craft alive after the monasteries closed. The first official creamery opened in Hawes in 1897, and today the cheese has protected status, meaning authentic Yorkshire Wensleydale can only be produced in its home dale.

The busy visitor centre gives guests a real insight into this living craft. You can follow the history of cheese-making through an interactive exhibit or watch cheesemakers at work from the viewing galleries. With butter and cheese demonstrations, plenty of tasting samples, and a shop, café, and restaurant, it's a great stop. Set against the stunning scenery of the Dales, it is a delicious way to celebrate one of Yorkshire's most famous exports.