The beautiful villages you should visit in Yorkshire

If you’re looking for escapism, then Yorkshire is home to some picturesque and quaint places that wouldn’t look out of place in a picture book or Disney film. The county has lots of traditional villages that are full of history, eateries and other fun activities.

In fact, the village of Hutton-le-Hole in North Yorkshire was named as one of England’s most beautiful villages. With this in mind, we take a look at some of the most beautiful and best villages in Yorkshire that you can visit during a holiday in the county.

BEAUTIFUL VILLAGES IN YORKSHIRE

• Robin Hood’s Bay
• Hutton-le-Hole
• Saltaire
• Levisham
• Sandsend
• Marsden

Robin Hood’s Bay

Robin Hood’s Bay is a picturesque old fishing village that is located on the Heritage Coast of the North York Moors.

An added bonus of the area is that you can stay at some luxurious Robin Hoods Bay hotels during your visit to this part of Yorkshire and it is a great place for adults and children alike to visit. There are family-friendly sandy beaches to relax on, rock pools to explore and ancient fossils that you can discover.

Becky Moore, the owner of the Global Grasshopper blog, told us why she thinks Robin Hood’s Bay is the best village in Yorkshire.

“I would recommend visiting Robin Hood’s Bay which is a beautiful historic fishing village located between two cliffs on The Heritage Coast of North Yorkshire. It’s known for its collection of quaint houses with red rooftops, pretty sandstone cottages and lovely gardens.

“Make sure you include a visit to Robin Hood’s Bay long sandy beach and pack your walking shoes for a hike along the coastal clifftop path which stretches along from Robin Hood’s Bay all the way to Whitby.”

Angela Price, who is the travel blogger behind Where Angie Wanders, also recommends visiting Robin Hood’s Bay.

“Robin Hoods Bay is somewhere that was high on my list of the best places to visit in Yorkshire. With a colourful history of smugglers and ghosts this sleepy fishing village on the Yorkshire coast was a true delight to explore. As I wandered along cobbled lanes, passed fishermen’s cottages draped in brightly coloured flowers, I wondered what stories the walls could tell. And the charm didn’t fade as art galleries, souvenir shops and olde-world pubs clung precariously to the steep hill and winding roads that led from the top of the bay to the sandy beach.

“I loved scouring the rock pools for signs of sea-creatures and taking in the calming views of fishing boats bobbing on the water before heading to ‘Dollies’ sweet shop for locally made ice-cream.

“As I strolled through the lanes, I spotted two walking routes to discover in Robin Hood’s Bay. A 7 mile-track along ‘The Cleveland Way’ to iconic Whitby and ‘The Cinder Track’, once a railway line, offering visitors a gentle 1.5-mile stroll from Robin Hood’s Bay to Fylinghall. With stunning views of Yorkshire’s coastline and countryside they are definitely going on my list for my next visit!”

The village itself is home to narrow, twisting cobbled streets and alleyways and you can easily imagine the sailors, fishermen and smugglers who walked these streets hundreds of years ago. Nowadays the village is vibrant and full of life with cafes, pubs, restaurants and shops all waiting to be explored. Some popular restaurants in the village are Fish Box and Coast Café Bar.

Hutton-le-Hole

Hutton-le-Hole is most definitely one of the most beautiful villages in Yorkshire, as we have previously mentioned it was ranked as one of the most picturesque villages in the whole of England by The Telegraph.

If you are staying in hotels in Scarborough, then the village is a great place to visit for the day as it is just an hour away and there is so much you and your family can do during a visit here.

But what makes the village so beautiful? Well, for starters it is surrounded by stunning countryside and there is an idyllic stream that winds through the village. The village is also iconic for its roaming sheep who are free to wander around the village.

There is lots to see and do in the village with the Ryedale Folk Museum a popular attraction with visitors as it is home to a wonderful collection of historic buildings from the Iron Age to the 1950s. The village green is the perfect place to enjoy a picnic or if you fancy a meal, then The Crown should be on your bucket list.

Saltaire

Saltaire is slightly further away from Raven Hall compared to the aforementioned villages, but at just under two hours it is easily accessible.

This beautiful Victorian model village was built by philanthropist Sir Titus Salt for his mill workers, and it is now a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. There are small-terraced cottages that surround the huge Salts Mill and this is home to one of the largest collections of Hockney artwork in the world.

Other attractions that you should visit on a trip here are the Saltaire United Reformed Church as it is an architectural gem that dates back to Victorian times and the Saltaire Brewery for a pint of bitter. If you’re a keen walker, then you will be delighted to hear that there are lots of trails you can follow around the village.

Levisham

This remote village in the North York Moors is around half an hour away from Raven Hall and with a small population of only a few hundred people, it is a great place to visit if you want to get away from the crowds.

Levisham is famed for its steam heritage and even today there are steam trains that pass through the village that you can ride on from Levisham Station.

There is so much you can do here as you can explore the Hole of Horcrum, Skelton Tower or even check out the filming locations around the village that have featured in shows such as Sherlock Holmes and Poirot.

Jurga, the writer behind the travel blog Full Suitcase, recommends going on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and getting off at Levisham to explore the village.

“The ‘hop on hop off’ tickets are valid the whole day, so this is a great way to explore the villages and sights of the North Yorkshire Moors. For example, take a break at lovely Levisham and hike over Levisham Moor. Keep an eye for evidence of Bronze Age habitation and burial sites along the way.”

Sandsend

Around a 20-minute drive from Raven Hall is the seaside village of Sandsend, which is a stone’s throw from the popular holiday destination of Whitby.

The small fishing village has its own beach, is full of quaint fisherman’s cottages as well as being home to some renowned restaurants. Some of the eateries that are popular in the village include Estbek House, Sandside Café and Hart Inn and they all specialise in local seafood and cuisine.

The beach is a must-visit as you can uncover fossils and if you are on a family holiday, the rockpools will keep your children entertained for hours as they can search for crabs, shrimp and other small fish.

Marsden

Marsden may be around two and a half hours away from Raven Hall, but if you decide to make the long journey it will certainly be worth it as it is one of the most beautiful villages in Yorkshire.

Boasting beautiful views of the Peak District countryside, the pretty village has a small high street that is home to some spectacular old-fashioned buildings and traditional pubs.

It is also a walkers paradise as there are three reservoirs that you can uncover as well as having Marsden Moors on its doorstep, which has lots of easy and challenging trails. All of these trails offer you some stunning views and get you close to nature.

This article includes some of the best villages in Yorkshire that you can visit on your holiday in the region. For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our blog.