Find places to visit in Britain by name, location, type of attraction, or other keyword.
This listings directory of over 950 entries is being phased out.
It now excludes places and things of interest in North East England.
These can be found in ABAB’s Places.
Places to visit in Yorkshire will be moved to ABAB’s Places during May.
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Erratics are rocks that have been transported by glacier, and left behind when the ice has melted some distance from the place they started. The Norber erratics are a fascinating group of sandstone rocks perched on limestone in the Yorkshire Dales, on the southern slopes of Ingleborough. They can only be reached by foot and there are various routes that can be taken to get to them. Most start from the village of Austwick. There's an easy circular route from Clapham to Austwick, to the erratics and then back to Clapham. I'm intrigued by the name: What are these? T'aint nobbut erratics... The post code is for Austwick.
The North Yorkshire Moors’ website says, “Moor. Coast. Forest. Dale” – which pretty much sums it up. North Yorkshire Moors National Park was established in 1952 and covers an area of 554 square miles (1434 square kilometres). It is said to be England’s largest expanse of heather moorland, but it also offers ancient woodlands, a dramatic 26-mile coastline, Iron Age and medieval remains and old, stone-built, hamlets. Wildlife includes roe deer, badgers and owls whilst, offshore, seals, dolphins and whales can be spotted. The highest point is Urra Moor at 1489 feet (454 metres).
The North York Moors railway, a heritage line, runs 18 miles (29 km) between Pickering and Whitby, taking in Goathland, setting of the fictional village of Aidensfield in the Heartbeat television series.
Principal settlements within the Park include Helmsley and Thornton-le-Dale. The picture was taken in the village of Aidensfield.
The Old Vicarage
Bondgate
Helmsley
The North Yorks Moors Railway is a heritage railway that runs across the North Yorks Moors through great countryside between Whitby and Pickering, taking in the stations of Grosmont, Goathland, Newtondale and Levisham. Total journey time one way is between 1hr 40minutes and 2hrs. Many of the stations have been refurbished in period style. The railway runs as a not for profit charity and, from an initial meeting of enthusiasts in 1967, now employs about 100 full-time staff supported by more than 500 volunteers, operating a range of steam locomotives. Each station has its attractions: Whitby, famous fishing port with its abbey and associations with Captain Cook and Dracula; Goathland featured as Aidenfield in the TV series Heartbeat; Pickering is a bustling town with a castle, impressive church, museum etc.
It is essential to visit the NYMR website and check the timetable before making a special trip.
Pickering
Pen-y-Ghent is one of the Yorkshire Dale's Three Peaks and the lowest at 2,277 feet (694 metres). There are good paths to the top from most directions, the most popular route starting and ending in Horton in Ribblesdale. The post code given is that of the Crown Hotel in Horton. The summit of Pen-y-Ghent looks like some kind of brooding creature and involves a bit of scrambling up or down, depending which way you go. Along the route, divert to Hull Pot, a collapsed cavern said to be one of the largest holes in England. It is 300 feet (91 metres) long x 60 feet (18 metres) wide by 60 feet deep. Extreme care is needed here. Walking Pen-y-Ghent is a serious and often strenuous hike, necessitating proper clothing and footwear as well as a supply of water and something to eat.
The Three Peaks of the Yorkshire Dales (Whernside, Pen-y-Ghent and Ingleborough) are often tackled by the very fit for fun or charity in a time of +/- 12 hours covering a distance of approx 24 miles.
The Ribblehead Viaduct soars 100 feet above the valley and is a landmark in the Yorkshire Dales, just north of Ingleton. It was constructed in the 1870s, the navvies who built it living in shanty towns nearby, few traces of which remain. There are information boards near the viaduct which give a bit of background. A fictional account of its construction was given in the TV series, 'Jericho'. These days, the Ribblehead Viaduct still carries the Carlisle to Settle railway. It is also on the path of many walks and the starting point for the obvious hack up nearby Whernside.
Ribblehead station and the Station Inn are nearby
Richmond Castle has a commanding position on a rocky promontory high over the river Swale. Its entrance, though, is in the town centre. The castle was built by Alan the Red in 1070 and the keep was added about a century later. There are stunning views over the town and countryside from the top of the keep, which is remarkably intact. Though largely ruined, the castle was in use until relatively recently. 16 'conscientious objectors' were imprisoned there during WW1 for refusing to fight and were subsequently sentenced to death. There's an interesting little garden too, 'the Cockpit Garden'.
Richmond
The evocative and immense remains of the abbey church, as well as other monastic buildings, stand as a memorial to the white-robed Cistercian monks who once lived and worked here, making Rievaulx one of the wealthiest monasteries in medieval England. The monastery was founded in 1132 and at one time supported a community of 600. It was dissolved in 1538. There is a fascinating exhibition on site.
Tip - there is a good circular walk which takes in Helmsley Castle, Rievaulx Abbey and Rievaulx Terrace.
Nr Helmsley
Rievaulx Terrace is an area of woodland and grassland created by the Duncombe family in the 18th century for entertaining. Here, they built a Tuscan Temple and an Ionic Temple for fine dining. There are spectacular views of Rievaulx Abbey and the valley below.
Tip - ideal for picnics. There is also a good circular walk which takes in Helmsley Castle, Rievaulx Abbey and Rievaulx Terrace.
Nr Helmsley
Ripon Cathedral, or more properly the Cathedral Church of St Peter and St Wilfred, was founded by St Wilfred in the 7th century, on the site of an earlier monastery. The original crypt of St Wilfred's Saxon church still survives - one of the oldest church buildings in Britain - beneath the later medieval Gothic building. The cathedral has several notable features, in addition to its crypt, not least the beautiful rood screen and quire. There is also a fascinating exhibition of the treasury in the library, which includes the Ripon Jewel. The cathedral is not too hemmed in by the surrounding city; it's a very pleasant spot with tempting cafes opposite.
Ripon
Robin Hood's Bay is a picturesque bay and fishing village on the Heritage Coast of the North York Moors. The old village, located at the bottom of a steep cliff (be prepared for tired legs) is popular with day-trippers as well as those on holiday and is the eastern end of Wainwright's 190 mile Coast to Coast walk. There is a sandy beach, rock pools to explore and fossils to discover, with photogenic colourful cottages, cobbled streets and alleyways, cafes, pubs, a museum and local walks.
The village is at least medieval and by 16th century was a substantial settlement, more important than neighbouring Whitby. By 18th century it is reputed to have been the busiest smuggling community on the Yorkshire coast and fierce battles would take place between locals and government excise men. There is said to be a network of tunnels under the houses.
Sadly, there is no evidence to link the legendary Robin Hood with Robin Hood’s Bay.
If your favourite attraction is not listed yet, and you have a good quality digital photograph of it that you are able to freely send, please get in touch.