Why North Yorkshire is the perfect UK holiday destination

Pretty fishing villages, golden beaches and the moody moors make North Yorkshire one of the most diverse holiday destinations in the UK. Its varied landscape, friendly locals and lively towns make for the ideal staycation. If you’re not quite convinced, read on for our top reasons why North Yorkshire is the perfect UK holiday destination.

The coastline is beautiful

“NORTH YORKSHIRE IS A GREAT PLACE TO SWITCH OFF AND ENJOY A LAND FULL OF ADVENTURE AND ESCAPISM”

Many people flock to the South West regions of Devon and Cornwall for their holidays. But the North Yorkshire coast has so much to offer. Sweeping sandy beaches, romantic coves and some of the most spectacular scenery in the country await tourists. And the best bit? You’ll escape the holiday crowds. Robin Hood’s Bay, a small fishing village and bay in North York Moors National Park, is located just a 20-minute drive away from Raven Hall. Here, the red rooftops of old fishermen’s cottages give way to a sweeping beach and provide a safe haven for families to enjoy a day by the seaside.

“With spectacular sea views and wild stretches of landscapes, the North Yorkshire coast offers the best of both worlds,” said Janet Deacon, Area Director North Yorkshire at Discover Yorkshire Coast. “45 miles of beautiful coastline nestled against the beautiful North York Moors National Park and Yorkshire Wolds. With its dramatic coastlines, enchanted moorland and quaint quirky fishing villages, North Yorkshire is a great place to switch off and enjoy a land full of adventure and escapism.”

It is home to spectacular heritage sites

If visiting historical sites and museums is an important part of your holiday, then North Yorkshire is a perfect choice. Home to iconic sites such as Whitby Abbey (founded in 657 AD) and Scarborough Castle (a former medieval Royal fortress), there is no shortage of fascinating historical sites to visit in the region.

Whitby Abbey is just a 25-minute drive from Raven Hall (approximately 14 miles) and is perfectly situated for a day trip. The romantic ruins of the abbey overlook the sea, perched on a cliff above the town. The abbey, now one of the most recognisable heritage sites in North Yorkshire, was the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s gothic tale of Dracula.

In the opposite direction, roughly 11 miles along the coast, Scarborough Castle is one of the region’s most important buildings. Henry II’s great tower, which was built between 1159 and 1169, and the medieval castle walls, loom over the headland. Within the castle walls are the remains of the 13^th-century royal residence. Discover its fascinating history and enjoy sweeping views over the coast.

If you’re travelling to North Yorkshire by car, Rievaulx Abbey is just over an hour’s drive from Ravenscar. Dating back 900 years, these enchanting monastic ruins are like something out of a fairy-tale. The abbey was founded in 1132 and was the first Cistercian abbey to be to be established in the north of England. In its heyday, the monastery housed 650-strong community. Although the monastery was dissolved in 1538, the ruins have inspired writers and artists in the centuries since.

You’ll find the finest local food

Everywhere in the world has its own delicacy, and in Yorkshire, it’s widely-recommended that you try a traditional pie. You’ll find exceptional pies oozing with flavour in just about every old pub in North Yorkshire. Handmade with love, classic Yorkshire pies come in a variety of flavours, from hearty steak and ale to chicken and bacon or cheese and onion. However don’t be surprised to find some more contemporary flavours on speciality pie restaurants in the area. The Piebald Inn near Filey has a dedicated pie menu, including English Cob (made with belly pork, stuffing, apple and cider) and a venison pie, with chestnuts cooked in mulled wine.

Other classic Yorkshire foods include Yorkshire custard tarts, a local delicacy dating back to the 1750s, Yorkshire puddings, which have become synonymous with roast dinners all over the UK, and Wensleydale cheese, first produced in the village of Wensleydale. This famous Yorkshire cheese recently achieved Protected Geographical Indication, along with other UK delicacies like the Cornish pasty and Melton Mowbray pork pie.

There is no shortage of delicious beer and ale

“THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE RIGHT ACROSS YORKSHIRE, AND IT DEFINITELY STANDS OUT AS A TOP PLACE FOR BEERS”

For beer enthusiasts, there’s arguably no better place to be in the UK than North Yorkshire. With an abundance of quality breweries, you’re guaranteed an exceptional pint in every town and village. Scarborough Brewery is one of the best-known breweries in the region, bringing delicious beers to locals and tourists alike. To find out more, we caught up with the staff:

“We’re a small family-run brewery based on the Yorkshire Coast, headed by two brothers James and Joseph. We opened our doors in 2009 as a small, one-barrel brewery and have since expanded to a 10-barrel brewery. Our SIBA award-winning beers use only the best ingredients and strive for the perfect pint. We deliver right across the country, and we’re proud to bring a taste of the Yorkshire Coast to others.

“Our most popular beers are our Sealord, a 4.3% golden ale, which is our best-seller. Our pale session beer, Trident 3.8%, is also very popular and easy-drinking. And our SIBA award-winning Citra and Old Sailors are always a hit with the customers.”

We asked the team at Scarborough Brewery whether they thought Yorkshire was one of the best UK regions for beers and ales: “Absolutely. There’s no shortage of quality breweries across the region, from big-name breweries like John Smith to the microbreweries like ourselves. There’s something for everyone right across Yorkshire, and it definitely stands out as a top place for beers.”

It is pretty in every season

Whether you’re wandering over the moors in the snow in winter, crunching leaves beneath your feet in the autumn, or relaxing on the beach in the summer, Yorkshire is the place to be. Its historic architecture truly holds its own in every season, and the dramatic, diverse landscape also lends itself to all types of holidays. In the warmer months, you may wish to wander along the coast between Whitby and Scarborough. While in the winter, North Yorkshire’s cosy pubs offer the perfect respite for hungry tourists, and the moors look at their most dramatic.

“The North York Moors National Park is one of the UK’s extraordinary places,” said the team at North York Moors National Park Authority. “Spectacular views, historic sites, stunning moorland, a rugged coastline with picture-postcard fishing villages, lively market towns and fantastic food – it has all this and more, making it the perfect place to enjoy your much-needed time off.”

The North York Moors National Park Authority website is packed full of ideas for your visit to this beautiful part of the country.

Many creatures call the region home

Yorkshire is blessed with an abundance of wildlife. Believe it or not, you can spot whales off the North Yorkshire coast. From August to October, minke whales travel to this part of the coast seeking our mackerel and herring. Boat tour operators such as Whitby Coastal Cruises offer visitors the best possible chance of spotting these gentle giants. Many raptors also patrol the skies over North Yorkshire. Look out for speedy peregrine falcons, majestic red kites and migrating ospreys. Just below Raven Hall, you’ll find a colony of grey and common seals. If you’re visiting during November, you may even catch a glimpse of grey seal pups! But be sure to watch them respectfully and keep a safe distance.

If after reading this you’re feeling inspired to book a holiday in North Yorkshire, take a look at our Robin Hood’s Bay hotel, perfectly situated to enjoy everything the region has to offer, on the coast and inland.

Image credit: Scarborough Brewery