Situated on the Wensleydale moors, Bolton Castle is one of England’s best-preserved medieval castles. Built in the 14th century as a fortified residence by Sir Richard le Scrope—whose descendants still own the property today—the building is one of the Yorkshire Dales’ most distinctive landmarks.
The Aysgarth Falls lie on the River Ure, in the heart of Yorkshire Dales National Park. The falls—made up of three tiers that cascade down limestone steps, surrounded by lush trees—have been popular with tourists for more than 200 years. To visit, hike through the surrounding woods and farms and enjoy the area’s natural beauty.
Fans of the Yorkshire author and vet of All Creatures Great and Small fame won’t want to miss the World of James Herriot. Now an award-winning, interactive museum, Herriot’s former veterinary office—a fully restored 1940s home—displays a huge collection of Herriot memorabilia.
In the Yorkshire Dales, the award-winning Wensleydale Creamery is the home of Yorkshire’s Wensleydale cheese. At the Creamery Visitor Centre, guests can learn about cheese-making, try and buy different varieties, and enjoy a gift shop, café, and restaurant—all complemented by stellar views of the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Castle Howard is one of Britain’s grandest stately homes. Built over the course of 100 years and still home to the Howard family, the castle was famously used as a filming location for Brideshead Revisited. Its 1,000 acres (405 hectares) of elegant grounds are located in the Howardian Hills—an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Built by the order of William the Conqueror in 1072, Durham Castle has stood the test of time and remains one of England’s most important Norman attractions, as well as a striking example of the elevated “motte-and-bailey” fortress style. While the structure is now home to university residences, history buffs will still enjoy the vast Great Hall, the 17th-century Black Staircase, and the Bishop’s Rooms.
Built in 1732, this handsome Georgian building is the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York, with distinguished guests arriving here for various ceremonies, black-tie banquets, and events. The house holds an impressive collection of civic regalia, art, and artifacts, including paintings, furniture, weapons, and silverware.
With a history dating back to 1835, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is England’s most popular heritage steam railway. The 18-mile (29-kilometer) route winds through the North York Moors National Park, stopping at historic railway stations and affording magnificent views of the rugged moorlands.
This 18th-century townhouse offers a glimpse into the tastes, fashions, and daily life of Georgian-era nobility. It began as the home of Viscount Charles Gregory Fairfax and then enjoyed brief stints as a gentlemen’s club, cinema, and dancehall before being restored to its Georgian-era glory.
The largest and most northerly white horse geoglyph in Britain, the Kilburn White Horse stands in artificially chalky contrast to the lush greenery of the surrounding Sutton Bank hills. Admire it from a distance or hike alongside the vast equine figure, which was originally designed and completed in the mid-19th century.
The Yorkshire Museum chronicles millions of years of Yorkshire history, from the Jurassic period through to Viking and medieval times. Highlights of the eclectic collection include a 4.5-billion-year-old meteorite that came crashing to Earth in 1881, the hair bun of a Roman teenager, and a Viking sword.
A lively market town within the North York Moors National Park, Helmsley is a popular day-trip from nearby York. The cobblestone streets of the town center—as well as quaint teahouses, ivy-covered traditional pubs, and an imposing 12th-century castle—add to the appeal of this traditional Yorkshire destination.
With one of the country’s most important regimental collections, York Army Museum offers visitors an immersive insight into 300+ years of Yorkshire military history. Learn about the Royal Dragoon Guards and Yorkshire Regiment through interactive exhibits, centuries-old artifacts, and audiovisual displays.
Despite an association with all things spooky—goth festivals, Bram Stoker, and decrepit abbeys—Whitby remains one of the most popular seaside towns in England. Replete with natural beauty, the town is small enough to explore on foot and boasts numerous attractions that appeal to a cross section of visitors.
Nestled in the historic center of the United Kingdom’s chocolate capital, York’s Chocolate Story is an interactive museum with a tasty twist. Sweet-toothed travelers can uncover the rich history of York’s confectionery industry, take a chocolate-making masterclass, or try traditional treats in the gift shop and café.
Set on the site of a World War II bomber command station, this aviation museum showcases the work and machinery of Britain’s Royal Air Force and its allies. As well as housing a collection of more than 60 historic aircraft and vehicles, it also holds more than 250,000 additional artifacts, including uniforms, photographs, and documents.
Beningbrough Hall, an 18th-century former family home occupied by the Royal Air Force during World War II, is one of York’s most important historical highlights. Linger in front of the 100+ portraits that hang inside, courtesy of a partnership with the National Portrait Gallery. Then stroll through the gardens, where staff sometimes offer growing tips to interested visitors.
Housed inside the 15th-century church of St. Saviour, Jorvik Dig illuminates the work of local archaeologists as well as the history of the York area. Visitors can get their hands dirty at four replica excavation pits, each based on real-life digs. Uncover revealing replica objects from Roman, Viking, medieval, and Victorian times.
Housed inside one of York’s main medieval gateways, the Henry VII Experience documents the rise and reign of England’s first Tudor king. Exhibits cover Henry VII’s ascension, from snatching the throne from Richard III on the battlefield to quieting the Yorkist rebellion, as well as information on York at the time of his reign.
In the 17th-century Whitby residence he once called home, take a voyage through the life and times of Captain James Cook at the Captain Cook Memorial Museum. Highlights are the attic room—complete with period furnishings—as well as artifacts Cook brought back from New Zealand and original letters penned by the man himself.
South Bank, as its name suggests, is located on the southern banks of the Brisbane River in Queensland’s capital city. Covering 42 acres (17 hectares), South Bank is home to lush parklands, restaurants, cafés, and bars, as well as boardwalks and promenades along the riverside that are popular with joggers and cyclists.
Don’t be fooled by its name: Malham Cove isn’t a quaint seaside village, but rather a landlocked limestone amphitheater in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Geological formations of this type are rarely seen in England, making it an interesting place to visit when exploring this area.
Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Hardraw Force Waterfall is often said to be England’s highest single-drop waterfall, coming in at around 100 feet (30 meters) high. It’s a beautiful sight within a natural amphitheater, and the short walk there is made all the more worthwhile as one of the access paths takes you through the grounds of the Green Dragon Inn.
Built in 1961 and in service for 30 years, this English Heritage property represents a chilling reminder of the UK’s Cold War history. Today, visitors can go inside the semi-subterranean structure to learn more about the living quarters and control rooms that were designed to keep around 60 people alive in the event of a nuclear tragedy.
Grottos, tunnels, passageways, a labyrinth, sculptures, and various other unusual follies can be found scattered around this 4-acre (1.6-hectare plot of green in Tupgill Park Estate. Originally built as a private garden, it was later opened up to the public, with visitors encouraged to wander at will and discover its oddities.
Kirkgate Market is a bustling shopper’s paradise in Leeds and one of the largest covered markets in Europe. With more than 800 stalls offering everything from fresh produce to clothing, jewelry, crafts, and delicious street food, it's a treasure trove for visitors. It also has a claim to fame as the birthplace of the iconic British brand—Marks & Spencer.
A giant outdoor maze made from more than one million maize plants is the star attraction at this family-friendly adventure park. As well as smaller themed mazes, York Maze is home to slides, a climbing zone, inflatables, tractor rides, crazy golf, and remote-controlled boats.
The National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool gives visitors the chance to learn about sailors, life at sea, and the reality of war. Through immersive reenactments and exhibits, you can discover the history of HMS Trincomalee, the oldest warship still afloat in the UK, and witness live shooting demonstrations.
Hull’s award-winning aquarium, The Deep, combines fun with learning through audiovisual presentations and interactive exhibits. You can marvel at tropical fish in the Lagoon of Light; watch sharks, turtles, and rays swim around the Endless Ocean; observe penguins in the Kingdom of Ice; and see jellyfish in the Cool Seas.
Discover an underwater world filled with an array of marine creatures at SEA LIFE® Scarborough. From a face-to-face encounter with sharks to a hands-on rock-pool experience, each step reveals something fascinating, making for a fun and educational activities for all ages, whatever the weather.
