Yorkshire National Trust locations to visit after lockdown
29 January 2021
Right now, it’s all about looking to the future, towards brighter days ahead. While we are currently stuck indoors due to lockdowns and restrictions, that doesn’t mean we can’t plan for the future, become inspired, and think about all the fun things we can do when normality returns. Yorkshire is a great location to set your heart on exploring one day, with hotels in and near Scarborough being the perfect home base. Further still, Yorkshire is full of fascinating National Trust locations to discover, meaning that putting together an itinerary of attractions is pretty easy. In this article, we highlight a selection of the wonderful National Trust sites that you can consider visiting once lockdown is over and the restrictions have relaxed. Hopefully, this will provide all of you who would like to visit Yorkshire in the future some ideas fun for your holiday.
ROSEBERRY TOPPING
One National Trust location that should certainly earn a place on your to-do list is the Yorkshire icon that is Roseberry Topping. A staple of Yorkshire-themed photography, this distinctive landmark makes for a wonderful way to enjoy this beautiful part of the country. Found on the edge of the North York Moors, visitors who make their way to the top (don’t worry, it’s only 320 metres high), will discover some truly lovely views of the surrounding countryside and out towards Cleveland.
Anna, from the travel blog My Travel Scrapbook, has visited Roseberry Topping and marvelled at the beauty of the area: “In the quiet afternoon sun, it was hard to imagine such an earth-shattering moment as it stood so peacefully. It did not seem that anything had changed here for thousands of years.”
Its distinctive shape – caused by a geological fault and mining collapse in 1912 – certainly adds to its character and has led Roseberry Topping to become one of Yorkshire’s most treasured natural attractions. With the hill to climb, beautiful bluebell woods to explore, and moorland to walk, there’s plenty to enjoy during a visit.
NUNNINGTON HALL
A location that visitors and locals alike have been enjoying throughout the years is Nunnington Hall and we don’t expect that to change anytime soon. This picturesque National Trust site is a marvellous Yorkshire Manor House, offering organic gardens to wander around and a series of fascinating exhibitions.
Located in North Yorkshire, the River Rye runs past the house and away from the village which shares the hall’s name and makes for a truly peaceful spot to enjoy a day out. Most of the building which you visit today stems from the 1680s, but its history goes back even further to the 13th century when it would have acted as a nunnery. Today you can explore the period rooms inside which tell their own tale, take in art and photography exhibitions, enjoy the organic walled garden, and even bump into the peacocks which call the location home.
RIEVAULX TERRACE
Riveleaux Terrace is truly idyllic and was designed to be so. Snaking around the side of a serene, wooded area, here visitors can look forward to wending their way through the woodlands and out onto the terrace, which is just a picture of calm, especially on a lovely sunny day. Here you can take in the rather break-taking views over the abbey ruins, enjoy a picnic on the lawns, and head over to the stone temples with their wonderful frescos and other lovely art pieces.
Richard and Emma, from the travel blog Journey of a Nomadic Family, have visited Rievaulx Terrace with their kids (who enjoyed the games available such as a giant outdoor chess set) and have shared: “With its wooded walk, giant outdoor games, wood carvings, cloud viewers, shelter building and play area, we managed to spend nearly two hours there.” They also mention that the “panoramic views overlooking the abbey and the valley are spectacular”.
FOUNTAINS ABBEY
Located three miles south-west of Ripon in North Yorkshire, you will find one of the county’s greatest gems, one of the largest and best-preserved ruined Cistercian monasteries in England known as Fountains Abbey. Founded all the way back in 1132, the abbey operated for over 400 years as one of England’s wealthiest before Henry VIII ordered the close of Roman Catholic institutions like this across the UK.
While these events have deprived the modern world of the abbey in all its glory, it’s a treat to be able to visit the well-preserved remains today. As you wander the grounds, one can imagine the pious monks going about their daily lives centuries ago with the ruins providing a unique atmosphere. Fountains Abbey also boasts lovely green lawns stretching down to the riverside, water gardens, and paths to the nearby deer park. So, whether you want to uncover some history, enjoy a picnic in a unique location, or have a lovely walk, Fountains Abbey has you covered.
Tammy, from the travel blog The Travelling Tam, has a lot of love for Fountains Abbey and its peaceful atmosphere, sharing: “Fountains Abbey is a place I absolutely recommend to any visitor to Yorkshire. It’s a proud part of Northern England’s history. There’s something haunting about the dramatic stone arches and architectural splendour of these ruins. It always reminds me of what I imagine Hogwarts to be like. If you’re a Harry Potter fan, then I’m sure you’ll understand what I mean.”
ORMESBY HALL
Ormesby Hall in Middlesbrough is yet another tremendous National Trust location that would be great to pen down for your future trip to Yorkshire. Ormesby has belonged to the Pennyman family since 1599, with the mansion itself being built around 1740. A member of the Pennyman family lived at this gorgeous Grade 1 listed building until the 1980s. The hall itself is a classic Georgian mansion surrounded by 250 acres of parkland and farmland – making Ormesby Hall the perfect place for some relaxing Yorkshire walks no matter the time of year. Inside the hall, you can delve into the mansion’s history, as well as that of the Pennyman family. With coats of arms, columns, incredible plasterwork and ceilings, a library, anteroom, drawing room and much more, there is plenty to enjoy.
Amy, from the lifestyle and travel blog Ten Penny Dreams, shared that she spent a couple of hours exploring the rooms as well as the “beautifully manicured garden” and that “the National Trust clearly take pride in running Ormesby Hall: during our visit we were greeted by half a dozen different volunteers who guided us through the different rooms, explaining their history and regaling us with tales of the late Mrs Pennyman, who lived in the property up until her death in 1983.”
NATIONAL TRUST SITES TO VISIT IN YORKSHIRE AFTER LOCKDOWN
– Roseberry Topping
– Nunnington Hall
– Rievaulx Terrace
– Fountains Abbey
– Ormesby Hall
As you can see, there are some brilliant Yorkshire National Trust locations to visit in the future. While it’s not possible to enjoy what Yorkshire has to offer at the time of writing this article, there is so much to look forward to once restrictions relax. Yorkshire will be ready and waiting when the time comes.
For more guides on all things Yorkshire, make sure to visit our blog.
