The best attractions to visit in Yorkshire this autumn and winter

Yorkshire is a great place to visit all year round and if you are planning an autumn or winter getaway to the county, there are lots of amazing destinations and attractions that you can visit during both seasons. From romantic ruins and glamorous castles to acres of parkland or picturesque seaside towns, there are so many places to visit and attractions to see.

In this article, we look at some of the best attractions that you can visit across Yorkshire during the autumn and winter seasons, so keep on reading to find out where you should go.

Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough

Image source: Stephen Joseph Theatre

Scarborough is a great seaside town to visit as it offers you some fantastic autumn and winter walks, is steeped in history that dates back to 966AD when it was founded by the Viking raider, Thorgils Skarthi, and is home to a range of amazing attractions.

One of the top attractions to visit in Scarborough during the autumn and winter seasons is the Stephen Joseph Theatre as it has amazing shows that are perfect for the whole family to watch. This year is no different and they told us about some of the shows coming to the theatre:

“There’s some fabulous festive fun at the Stephen Joseph Theatre this December, with two family Christmas shows – Jack and the Beanstalk, for children aged six and upwards and, for the smaller members of the family, The Giant Who Had It All (And Then Lost It…). We’ve also got a now-traditional annual treat with Holly at Christmas – Buddy Holly and the Cricketers once again herald in the Yuletide festivities! Plus, a packed programme of films and live streamings.

“We’ve something for everyone at the SJT this Christmas.”

There are lots of other attractions that you can visit in Scarborough during this time of year with the likes of the Scarborough Sea Life Centre putting on shows and events during the autumn and winter and there are, of course, lots of Christmas-themed markets and other events scheduled for this time of year.

If you want to visit the town, but are looking to stay in accommodation that is slightly out of the hustle and bustle of the centre, then an alternative to a Scarborough hotel is our accommodation at Ravenscar, which is just 20-minutes from the town. You can also enjoy Yorkshire’s stunning countryside and take in spectacular seaside views when you visit us.

READ MORE: The best things to do this autumn in North Yorkshire

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens

The Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens, which is a world heritage site, is a great place to visit during the autumn and winter seasons as there are lots of things you can do.

There are lots of walks that you can enjoy around the ruins of the abbey, and in the build-up to Christmas, the ruins are aglow with bright and colourful lights. If you are walking around the grounds, then you should keep your eyes peeled as there are Red, Fallow and Sika deer living in the area.

Karl Young, who is the founder of the Yorkshire Dad blog, told us that he highly recommends visiting the Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens in the autumn and winter seasons.

“Visiting the National Trust Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Gardens is a must-do for us at this time of year, with scenic trails, wildlife, an abundance of nature and history all in one place, it is definitely a fun day out for all the family. I also would recommend looking at their Fountains by floodlight experiences, which sees the Abbey open after-dark and light by floodlights making it both an incredible and often spooky sight to behold.”

READ MORE: The best autumn walks to enjoy in Yorkshire

Lotherton Hall

Lotherton Hall is an Edwardian country estate and hall filled with hidden treasures, but you can also encounter animals at the wildlife park and stroll through the beautiful grounds and gardens.

The hall and chapel are some of the best examples of Edwardian and Victorian design in the country and is a great place to explore if the weather is cold outside. If you are looking for an autumn or winter walk then the grounds and eight acres of gardens, including a walled garden, are lovely areas to discover.

If you are visiting with children, then there is an adventure playground for under eights with climbing frames, a zip wire, a woodland play area and lots of swings.

Blogger Karl Young says he loves to visit Lotherton Hall in the autumn and winter: “With the colder weather and darker nights comes some of my favourite attractions of the Year.  Lotherton Halls’ Christmas Experience is the favourite festive event of the year in our household, as we get to visit Santa, get crafty in the elf village and follow the 12 days of Christmas trail through the woods – it really is magical!”

Castle Howard

If you and your family are staying in accommodation near Robin Hoods Bay, then just over an hour’s drive away is Castle Howard. It has welcomed visitors for more than 300 years and it is a great attraction to visit over the autumn and winter seasons as there are gardens to explore and a whole host of events taking place during this time of the year.

Castle Howard offers you the perfect family day out as the Skelf Island Adventure Playground will keep the kids occupied and you can also enjoy a whole host of events. This year Castle Howard is running a Christmas in Narnia event and you can see icy twinkling lights at dusk, sparkling trees against the dark sky, and enjoy an indulgent winter warmer in the cafés.

READ MORE: The best winter walks around Yorkshire

National Railway Museum

If you are looking for an indoor attraction to visit this autumn or winter, then the National Railway Museum should be on your bucket list of places to visit.

It is one of the UK’s finest museums and has over a million objects displayed that dive into the past, present and future of the railways. Some of the main attractions at the museum include the fastest steam locomotive in the world and world-changing inventions like the Rocket train.

Karl Young told us that Yorkshire is home to a number of great attractions, including the National Railway Museum.

“Whether it is top attractions like Mother Shipton’s Cave in Knaresborough and the National Railway Museum in York or long picturesque walks around Grimwith Reservoir or tackling tougher terrain around Malom Cove, there is just simply so much to explore and see all year round – you will never run out of things to do living in Yorkshire!!!”

If you are planning an autumn or winter trip to Yorkshire, then these are just some of the amazing attractions that you can head to. For more articles like this, take a look at our blog here.