Things to do

Where to go and where to Eat

The Wolds and North York Moors are teaming with historically important houses, sites and landmarks. From the Romans to the Vikings to the Georgians, this ancient landscape has been shaped and imprinted by those who’ve settled here. If you enjoy a spot of heritage hunting you’ll love…

The Wolds and North York Moors are teaming with historically important houses, sites and landmarks. From the Romans to the Vikings to the Georgians, this ancient landscape has been shaped and imprinted by those who’ve settled here. If you enjoy a spot of heritage hunting you’ll love…

Whitby, United Kingdom

A gothic marvel and stunning harbour town, great fish and chips, interesting shops and crazy golf on the promenade.

Abbey Ln, Whitby YO22 4JT, United Kingdom

Whitby Abbey was a 7th-century Christian monastery that later became a Benedictine abbey. The abbey church was situated overlooking the North Sea on the East Cliff above Whitby in North Yorkshire, England, a centre of the medieval Northumbrian kingdom.

Whitby Abbey was a 7th-century Christian monastery that later became a Benedictine abbey. The abbey church was situated overlooking the North Sea on the East Cliff above Whitby in North Yorkshire, England, a centre of the medieval Northumbrian kingdom.

Rievaulx Bank, Rievaulx, Helmsley, York YO62 5LB, United Kingdom

Rievaulx Abbey ree-VOH was a Cistercian abbey in Rievaulx, situated near Helmsley in the North York Moors National Park, North Yorkshire, England. It was one of the great abbeys in England until it was seized under Henry VIII of England in 1538 during the dissolution of the monasteries.

Castlegate, Pickering YO18 7AX, United Kingdom

Pickering Castle is a motte-and-bailey fortification in Pickering, North Yorkshire, England. The original structure was built by the Normans under William the Conqueror in 1069–1070. This early building included the large, central mound (the motte), the outer palisades (enclosing the bailey) and internal buildings, notably the keep on top of the motte. Ditches were also dug to make assault on the walls difficult. The main purpose of the castle at this time was to maintain control of the area after the Harrying of the North.

Pickering Castle is a motte-and-bailey fortification in Pickering, North Yorkshire, England. The original structure was built by the Normans under William the Conqueror in 1069–1070. This early building included the large, central mound (the motte), the outer palisades (enclosing the bailey) and internal buildings, notably the keep on top of the motte. Ditches were also dug to make assault on the walls difficult. The main purpose of the castle at this time was to maintain control of the area after the Harrying of the North.

38 Highgate, Beverley HU17 0DN, United Kingdom

Beverley Minster in Beverley, East Riding of Yorkshire, is a parish church in the Church of England. It is one of the largest parish churches in the UK, larger than one-third of all English cathedrals and regarded as a gothic masterpiece by many.

Deangate, York YO1 7HH, United Kingdom

Since the 7th century, the Minster has been at the Centre of Christianity in the north of England and today remains a thriving church rooted in the daily offering of worship and prayer. The Minster was built for the glory of God. Every aspect of this ancient building - from the exquisite, handcrafted stone through to the unrivalled collection of medieval stained glass - tells the story of Jesus Christ. We invite you to discover this sacred place and the love of God at its heart, which has attracted people from across the globe for more than 1000 years.

Since the 7th century, the Minster has been at the Centre of Christianity in the north of England and today remains a thriving church rooted in the daily offering of worship and prayer. The Minster was built for the glory of God. Every aspect of this ancient building - from the exquisite, handcrafted stone through to the unrivalled collection of medieval stained glass - tells the story of Jesus Christ. We invite you to discover this sacred place and the love of God at its heart, which has attracted people from across the globe for more than 1000 years.

Scampston, Malton YO17 8NG, United Kingdom

Stately home's walled garden with modern design by Piet Oudolf, set in a Capability Brown park. Scampston Hall is one of the finest regency country houses in North Yorkshire, and contains many fine works of art, furniture and porcelain. But above all it is our family home and we are delighted to share it with you through guided tours in the summer months.

Sledmere Driffield YO25 3XG UK

A wonderful Country House and Gardens available for hire for weddings and open seasonally to the public.

A wonderful Country House and Gardens available for hire for weddings and open seasonally to the public.

Castle Howard, York YO60 7DA, United Kingdom

Generations of the Howard family have welcomed visitors to Castle Howard, one of the great palaces of Europe, for over 300 years and today we extend this warm welcome to you.

Burton Agnes UK

Our house, gardens, woodland, and adventure playground are open daily from 11am until 5pm. We are serving takeaway food, baked treats and great coffee and hot drinks. The gift shop is now open, and plants raised in the walled garden are for sale.

Members may come and go freely without booking. For everyone else, including Historic Houses members, spaces are limited and you must book online for admission. Please contact us if pre-booking is not possible for you.

We are unable to accept cash, so all payments during your visit must be made on card, preferably contactless.

Our house, gardens, woodland, and adventure playground are open daily from 11am until 5pm. We are serving takeaway food, baked treats and great coffee and hot drinks. The gift shop is now open, and plants raised in the walled garden are for sale.

Members may come and go freely without booking. For everyone else, including Historic Houses members, spaces are limited and you must book online for admission. Please contact us if pre-booking is not possible for you.

We are unable to accept cash, so all payments during your visit must be made on card, preferably contactless.

EATING OUT IN YORK

Here are a few other recommendations.

Here are a few other recommendations.

104 Micklegate, York YO1 6JX, UK

We are delighted to have won the Welcome to Yorkshire White Rose Award for best restaurant Taste of England. In a time of great stress for our industry a little light. We are so proud of our team at the rattle owl.

YO30 7BH

This is the latest venture from Tommy Banks of The Black Swan Oldstead. It is a tasting sensation. Lots of different approaches and textures as well as flavours. Quite hard to describe. More than ‘local’ food, they actually grow nearly everything on their own farm. Hence the menu is changed every season.

This is the latest venture from Tommy Banks of The Black Swan Oldstead. It is a tasting sensation. Lots of different approaches and textures as well as flavours. Quite hard to describe. More than ‘local’ food, they actually grow nearly everything on their own farm. Hence the menu is changed every season.

8 Gillygate, York YO31 7EQ, United Kingdom

Award-winning food in the centre of the historic city of York.

Having built a national reputation since 2002 for culinary quality and excellence, Café No.8 is situated in the heart of the historic City of York offering outstanding food and drink.

Goodramgate and Fossgate. 01904 689784

One of my favorites. There are two in York, sort of Spain meets Yorkshire. My favorite is on Fossgate.

Independent tapas restaurant and sherry bar group bringing locally sourced, Spanish cuisine to four unique, vibrant and stylish sites in York, Leeds & Hull.

Our restaurants are the perfect spot to spend a leisurely few hours sampling both back-to-roots and modern Spanish fare, whether you’re looking for a cozy, intimate dinner for two, a family outing, a business meeting or a larger party celebrating a special occasion.

One of my favorites. There are two in York, sort of Spain meets Yorkshire. My favorite is on Fossgate.

Independent tapas restaurant and sherry bar group bringing locally sourced, Spanish cuisine to four unique, vibrant and stylish sites in York, Leeds & Hull.

Our restaurants are the perfect spot to spend a leisurely few hours sampling both back-to-roots and modern Spanish fare, whether you’re looking for a cozy, intimate dinner for two, a family outing, a business meeting or a larger party celebrating a special occasion.

Museum St, York YO1 7DR, UK

Run by Michelin Star Chef Andrew Pern of The Star, Harome. Closed recently due to a fire but re-opened In April. Great location and food. I have eaten a number of times here. 

Located in the old Engine House on the edge of York's Museum Gardens, close to the historic Lendal Bridge and Tower, The Star Inn The City has an enviable riverside position. The Brasserie-style restaurant opened in 2013, after Andrew Pern of the Michelin-starred Star Inn at Harome joined the building owners in their quest to establish a food-led celebration destination in one of York's unique locations.

YO1 6JX 01904 634849

Contemporary British cooking with an international influence. Snacks and small plates.

Skosh is a bespoke dining room with an open concept kitchen designed specifically to create a unique experience, in which to enjoy uncomplicated, yet refined dishes in a comfortable and informal manner.

Contemporary British cooking with an international influence. Snacks and small plates.

Skosh is a bespoke dining room with an open concept kitchen designed specifically to create a unique experience, in which to enjoy uncomplicated, yet refined dishes in a comfortable and informal manner.

Family fun

Great places to visit for Adults and Children, including some great options for a rainy day…

Great places to visit for Adults and Children, including some great options for a rainy day…

Terrington, York YO60 6PB, United Kingdom

60-acre hillside farm featuring lavender gardens, specialist plant shop and a sculpture park..

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a heritage railway in North Yorkshire, England, that runs through the North York Moors National Park.

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a heritage railway in North Yorkshire, England, that runs through the North York Moors National Park.

Malton YO17 6RT, United Kingdom

Experience the sights, sounds and smells of life on the Home Front and the Front Line, all set in the buildings and grounds of an original World War 2 Prisoner of War Camp.

12 Clifford St, York YO1 9RD, United Kingdom

Scream and laugh your way through an immersive journey through a city’s darkest past. Live actor-led shows, exciting rides and hysterically horrible history. Will you survive The Dungeons?

Scream and laugh your way through an immersive journey through a city’s darkest past. Live actor-led shows, exciting rides and hysterically horrible history. Will you survive The Dungeons?

Leeman Rd, York YO26 4XJ, United Kingdom

Immerse yourself in the home of iconic locomotives and an unrivalled collection of engineering brilliance

19 Coppergate, York YO1 9WT, United Kingdom

JORVIK Viking Centre is a must-see for visitors to the city of York and is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK.

The Jorvik Viking Centre is a museum and visitor attraction in York, England, containing lifelike mannequins and life-size dioramas depicting Viking life in the city. Visitors are taken through the dioramas in small carriages equipped with speakers. It was created by the York Archaeological Trust in 1984.

JORVIK Viking Centre is a must-see for visitors to the city of York and is one of the most popular visitor attractions in the UK.

The Jorvik Viking Centre is a museum and visitor attraction in York, England, containing lifelike mannequins and life-size dioramas depicting Viking life in the city. Visitors are taken through the dioramas in small carriages equipped with speakers. It was created by the York Archaeological Trust in 1984.

Kirby Misperton, Malton YO17 6UX, United Kingdom

Yorkshire's ultimate Theme Park attraction & an award winning Zoo, plus a luxury Resort Village, for fantastic family days out, holidays & short breaks.

Tower St, Hull HU1 4DP, United Kingdom

The Deep is one of the UK's most spectacular aquariums, with over 3500 fish, stunning marine life and plenty of activities for all the family. Huge aquarium with over 3000 creatures, including sharks and sawfish, plus an evening restaurant.

The Deep is one of the UK's most spectacular aquariums, with over 3500 fish, stunning marine life and plenty of activities for all the family. Huge aquarium with over 3000 creatures, including sharks and sawfish, plus an evening restaurant.

Yorkshire coast

Yorkshire is blessed with an amazing coastline. Throw the bucket ‘n spade in the boot and tootle along to one of the many lovely locations on Yorkshire’s coast. Here are my favourites…

Yorkshire is blessed with an amazing coastline. Throw the bucket ‘n spade in the boot and tootle along to one of the many lovely locations on Yorkshire’s coast. Here are my favourites…

Robin Hood's Bay, Whitby UK

Robin Hood's Bay is a picturesque old fishing village on the Heritage Coast of the North York Moors. It is a fantastic place for adults and children alike with a beautiful family (and dog !) friendly sandy beach, as well as rock pools to explore and ancient fossils to discover. Wandering through its narrow, twisting cobbled streets and alleyways, you can easily imagine the sailors and fishermen, smugglers and press gangs that walked these streets hundreds of years ago.

Filey, United Kingdom

Another great beach and charming Victorian seafront

Filey is a seaside town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the East Riding of Yorkshire, it is part of the borough of Scarborough between Scarborough and Bridlington on the North Sea coast. Although it was a fishing village, it has a large beach and became a popular tourist resort.

Another great beach and charming Victorian seafront

Filey is a seaside town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the East Riding of Yorkshire, it is part of the borough of Scarborough between Scarborough and Bridlington on the North Sea coast. Although it was a fishing village, it has a large beach and became a popular tourist resort.

YO15 3QT UK

Currently my favorite. Dog friendly, parking £3 – great coffee kiosk.

Fraisthorpe is a village and former civil parish, now in the parish of Barmston, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is situated approximately 4 miles south of Bridlington town centre. It lies to the east of the A165 road.

Bridlington, United Kingdom

Includes an historic harbour, the old town and several award winning beaches. It also has a little zoo and mini train.

Includes an historic harbour, the old town and several award winning beaches. It also has a little zoo and mini train.

Scarborough, United Kingdom

Scarborough is a resort town on England’s North Sea coast. Its 2 bays with sandy beaches are split by a headland bearing the 12th-century Scarborough Castle.

YO21 3SZ UK

A very pretty village with several gorgeous cafes and restaurants, great beach with a little river through it.

A very pretty village with several gorgeous cafes and restaurants, great beach with a little river through it.