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.
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.
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.
The Peak District became Britain’s first national park in 1951 and remains one of its most popular outdoor destinations. From fertile farmland and stately homes to towering peaks and underground caves, there’s much to explore across the 143,700-hectare park, including the beginning of Britain’s best-known trail, the Pennine Way.
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.
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.
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.
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. Now used as university residences, history buffs will still enjoy the vast Great Hall, 17th-century Black Staircase, and the Bishop’s Rooms.
The family-owned Bridlington Birds of Prey and Animal Park brings together endangered animals across different habitat zones. You can find everything from alpacas and raccoons to owls and meerkats, as well as many birds of prey; exhibits sit alongside educational exhibits and hands-on experiences.
Part zoo, part theme park, and part resort, this 375-acre (152-hectare) attraction is a long-standing favorite of families, thrill seekers, and animal lovers in North Yorkshire, England. You can visit for the day, or book accommodation on-site. The park is home to 140 animal species and boasts around 40 rides across eight themed sections.
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.
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.
Experience life in wartime Britain at Eden Camp, a family-friendly museum which combines award-winning interactive elements with dozens of informative exhibits in a former World War II prisoner-of-war camp. Marvel over real tanks, military aircraft, and more, as the sounds and smells of Eden Camp recreate the feel of WWII life.
Situated within the Walled Garden of Burn Hall Hotel, the York Bird of Prey Centre is home to more than 80 birds of prey, including owls, falcons, hawks, and eagles. Watch flight demonstrations and take the opportunity to both feed and handle these magnificent creatures at indoor and outdoor exhibits.
High-quality, palm oil–free Belgian chocolate meets Yorkshire innovation and craftsmanship at The Little Chocolate Shop in North Yorkshire, which runs daily chocolate-making workshops for all ages and abilities. Browse for a pick-and-mix selection of locally made chocolate at the store, grab a decadent hot chocolate in the on-site café, or simply watch the chocolatiers at work at this delicious destination.
This cavernous medieval cathedral is a Gothic masterpiece. Focal points include the 16th-century stained glass Rose Window, which was painstakingly pieced back together following a fire in 1984, and the soaring central tower, the top of which offers panoramic views of York.
Step back in time with York Castle Museum, an informative, interactive destination that will charm history-buffs and families alike. Unique in its depictions of everyday life, both past and present, York Castle Museum is best-known for period reconstructions of historic streets—like the Victorian Kirkgate—and costumed actors who help bring the past to life.
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.
Having never been widened to accommodate cars, The Shambles has retained its picturesque medieval form. Timber-framed Tudor buildings host tea rooms, taverns, and souvenir shops, and project out at the upper levels—a medieval building technique used to create extra living space.
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.
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.
Few places offer such intimate insight into the York chocolate industry as Goddards House and Garden, once home to the family behind the Terry’s confectionery company. Nowadays, Goddards pays homage to York’s chocolate past, as well as life in the 1930s. Don’t forget to stop by the on-site café for some chocolate orange cake and coffee.
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.
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.
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