Yorkshire has some glorious countryside and a beautiful coastline. The North York Moors have become well-known through the television series “Heartbeat”. Places such as Aplletreewick, Bellerby, Brandsby, Aislaby ( near Whitby) and Bilsdale offer ideal locations for anyone wishing to visit these areas.
The seaside towns of Whitby and Scarborough both have their own charm and plenty of rainy day entertainment for the tourist. Robin Hood’s Bay is close by, as are the smaller centres of Lealholm, Littlebeck and Scalby. Also in the east of the county are the lovely wolds, including Wold Newton. This area is one of the quieter destinations for the tourist and there are some lovely walks in stunning countryside.
Not far away is the historic city of York with the imposing Yorkminster. Appleton Roebuck and Sproxton are out of town locations within easy distance of the city, for those wanting the best of both worlds. Also in the north of Yorkshire is the historic market town of Richmond with its Norman castle and Georgian architecture. Close by is Dalton, for those wanting a country location not too far away.
Galphay is close to Ripon, another interesting old town with an interesting cathedral. The father of Lewis Carroll, author of “Alice in Wonderland”, was once a canon here and Wilfred Owen, the World War I poet, spent some time in Ripon and wrote some of his poems here.
The Yorkshire Dales have always been a popular destination for tourists, but it is still possible to stray far from the beaten track in places such as Dent and Wensleydale, and to avoid the crowds in this area. There is plenty of cottage accommodation in such places as Airton, Low Bentham, Askrigg, Hawes, Snape, Hawkswick and Preston-under-Scar. The attractive town of Skipton is on the edge of both the dales and the Pennine Hills. This market town has a 14th Century castle and was a Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War. It is a busy shopping centre with a thriving market.
Among other places of interest are Ingleton, with its caves, and towns such as Beverley and Halifax. The Bronte country, around Haworth in West Yorkshire is worth a visit, whilst the area around Sheffield is of interest. This is the gateway to Derbyshire and the Peak District.
The Derbyshire Peaks are a beautiful area of Britain. High Peak, Kinder Scout and Kinder Edge are perfect for the hiker and offer lovely views of the surrounding countryside. From Dore and Langsett, on the Sheffield side of the Peaks, to a host of places around the Derbyshire Peak district. There are towns such as Edale, Glossop, Chapel-en-le-Frith and Bakewell, famous for the tart. Other ideal centres include Ashbourne, Birch Vale, Blackbrook, Earl Sterndale and Hartington. The Snake Pass, the main road through the peaks, runs beside the picturesque Ladybower Reservoir.
Buxton is an old spa town, which holds an annual Gilbert and Sullivan Festival in its Edwardian Opera House. St Anne’s Well still provides the healing spring water and the town is worth visiting for its fine architecture, some of which dates from the early 17th Century.
Another popular destination is the town of Matlock, the county town of Derbyshire and another spa with its own mineral waters. It is thought to have been originally settled by the Romans, but the town today developed mainly during the 19th Century. Once again, it is in an ideal position for visits to the national park of the Peak District. Tansley and Wirksworth are nearby country locations, not too far from town.
Close to Castleton is the small attractive town of Hope, in the Hope Valley. Hathersage is another centre in the same area. Castleton itself is an attractive tourist destination, centred around an attractive square. It is overlooked by Peveril Castle, which dates from the 11th Century.
Lincolnshire has many pleasant market towns such as Alford and Spilsby, in the east of the county between the Wolds and the Fens. Not far from Spilsby are attractive villages such as Hagworthingham, Welton le Marsh and Somersby, the birthplace of the poet Alfred Lord Tennyson. Old Bolinbroke is also fairly close to Spilsby and is famous for its castle, the birthplace of King Henry IV. The ruins of the castle can still be seen today.
The county offers some lovely beaches at resorts such as Skegness and Mablethorpe. It is also ideal cycling and walking country, being one of the flattest counties in England. There are several castles, country houses and gardens in the county and various annual festivals.
Grimsby was once the largest fishing port in the world and is still a major east coast fishing port. It is an interesting town with several historical buildings, not least St James’s Church, which dates back to the 12th Century. The town offers many entertainment centres including the Auditorium which provides a venue for anything from pop concerts to opera. There is also good shopping and there are lots of restaurants and cafés.
For anyone wishing to explore Lincolnshire, places such as Woodhall Spa and Horsington are ideally located in the centre of the county. Market Rasen is another small market town, which is centrally located, with several Georgian buildings and some original shop fronts. It also has a popular racecourse.
The city of Lincoln has a history dating back to the Iron Age, when the earliest settlements took place around 100BC. It later became a Roman city and later still one of the major centres for the Viking invaders. After the Norman invasion, work was started on both a castle and a cathedral. It has much to offer the visitor, from the ancient Guildhall to many up to date entertainment centres. There are plenty of shops, restaurants and cafés. Places such as Tattershall offer nearby cottage accommodation and are within easy reach of the city.
Louth is considered to be the capital of the Lincolnshire Wolds. It is still a busy market town and its most famous landmark is the spire of the local church of St James. This 300 feet high spire, dominates the skyline. There are several interesting 19th Century buildings and plenty of entertainments venues, eating places and shops. South Cockerington is not too far away for those wishing to stay out of town.