For places to visit in Yorkshire, you'll find a huge choice of stately homes, historic houses, abbeys and castles that make excellent family days out in Yorkshire. Days out in Yorkshire should aim to take in North Yorkshire which is full of historic attractions from York Minster and the medieval streets within the city to the oldest stone built Norman Castle in Britain, Richmond Castle in Richmond North Yorkshire on the edge of the Dales.
>> Find Historic Places to Visit in Yorkshire
Other historic attractions in Yorkshire include abbeys that are scattered throughout Yorkshire. Visit Fountains Abbey in the East Yorkshire Dales where you can see the most intact Cistercian Abbey. West Yorkshire attractions include Bolton Abbey with its 12th century Priory ruins and beautiful riverside walks.
Days out to the Yorkshire Coast won't fail to miss the magnificent site of Scarborough Castle. A natural site for defence and settlement, with sheer drops either side of the headland, Scarborough castle endured two major sieges during the Civil War and from the 1650s it was put to use as a prison and barracks. It saw further fortifications in the mid 1700s to ward against Jacobite attack however Scarborough harbour was penetrated when it came under attack by American John Paul Jones in 1779. For spectacular views over Scarborough's two bays - climbing up to the castle high on the headland is a highlight of any visit to Scarborough.
The southwest of the county boasts a fine selection of Yorkshire castles at Pontefract, Sandal and Conisbrough. Conisbrough Castle, one of the UK's finest Norman Castles, dates from 1180, and is famous for its association with Sir Walter Scott's novel 'Ivanhoe'. This site high up on a hill was the base of a castle as far back as 1066. The current cylindrical keep is thought to date around 1180, with other buildings around the bailey dating in the 13th century. Skipton Castle in the South Yorkshire Dales is a medieval castle.
Preserved despite its three year onslaught during the English Civil War! The castle tour takes you through the medieval kitchen, banqueting hall, bedchamber and privy - Skipton Castle offers a superb insight into what life was like in a medieval castle. Other castles in the Yorkshire Dales include Middleham Castle and Bolton Castle near Leyburn and Ripley Castle near Harrogate.
Days out in West Yorkshire will take in some of Yorkshire's most important sites for industrial heritage. Canals cross this part of Yorkshire along which old mills are being converted into heritage centres and contemporary arts centres like Salts Mill in Saltaire - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a stunning post industrial building. The Leeds Liverpool and Huddersfield Narrow canals themselves have now become open to pleasure boat traffic and make for pleasant strolls in wooded valleys.
There is a huge choice of places to visit in York with it being one of the main heritage centres in Yorkshire. There are plenty of places of interest in York as much of the medieval architecture survives today, all dominated by the beautiful Gothic York Minster. The Shambles is probably the best known medieval street in York where historic buildings today house an array of interesting shops. One of the biggest attractions in York is York Minster, the largest Gothic style cathedral in Northern Europe. You can visit the cathedral to see the beautiful stained glass windows and intricate stone carvings either on a guided tour or by strolling round on your own. Don't miss York Minster's tower steps (all 275 of them) where if you make the ascent to the top of the tower you can get some fabulous panoramic views of York. You won't be short of things to do in York with all this heritage and culture on your doorstep!
York Castle Museum started life as a prison, and indeed some of the building's prison history is given due attention in exhibits. This includes exhibits on the museum's most famous prisoner Dick Turpin who was eventually hanged in 1739. Named after the former York Castle built by William the Conqueror which once stood here, York Castle Museum is a superb family attraction.
For days out in York try cultural places including Castle Howard North Yorkshire stately home. It's most famous for being used as the location for the TV adaptations of Brideshead Revisited and The Buccaneers. You can visit the house and gardens, relax for a cuppa at The Stables Courtyard with its café and selection of shops. Fourteen miles south of York is Selby where you can visit the Norman Selby Abbey where King Henry I of England is thought to have been born in 1086. The foundation of the abbey dates back to the history of St Germain around 378 AD. Selby Abbey ranks as the first Benedictine monastery in the North to be founded after the Norman Conquest.
There are plenty of places to visit in Leeds For stately homes in West Yorkshire there's Harewood House and Temple Newsam Historic Estate near Leeds. Harewood House is a grand grade 1 listed country house built between 1759-1771. It makes a great family day out near Leeds where you can tour the state rooms, check out what life was like under stairs for the servants and stroll around the grounds including gardens designed by Capability Brown.
A day out in Leeds could cover Temple Newsam, which covers 1,500 acres of parkland and woodland, and also landscaped by Capability Brown. Some of the woodlands date back for at least 300 years and are valuable wildlife habitats on the site. The house at Temple Newsam is a Tudor-Jacobean mansion that houses collections of fine and decorative arts including a collection of Chippendale furniture. It is also reputed to be the most haunted house in Yorkshire!
There are a good choice of places to visit in Sheffield that reflect the heritage and culture of the area. The Bishop's House at the top of Meersbrook Park is worth searching out as it's the oldest surviving half timbered house in Sheffield built around 1500. The architecturally stunning Cutlers' Hall dates from 1832 and was home to the Cutlers' family who were key players to Sheffield's industry. A visit to the house will reveal the collection of silver and cutlery plus artefacts from the sister ship of the Titanic. A key place to go in Sheffield is its only existing medieval building is the Cathedral of St Peter and St Paul. The architecture spans from the 15th-20th centuries and it was visited by Mary Queen of Scots in the 16th century.
For days out in Sheffield there's Manor Lodge featured in the BBC's Restoration programme which is one of the finest Tudor Houses in England. This 16th century house was used to imprison Mary Queen of Scots on Elizabeth I's orders. Four miles south of the city centre you can visit for free the ruins of Beauchief Abbey - once a 12th century praemonstratensian Abbey.
Historic buildings in North Yorkshire
Historic buildings on the Yorkshire Coast
Historic buildings in the Yorkshire Dales
Historic buildings on the North York Moors
Historic buildings in West Yorkshire
Historic buildings in East & South Yorks
