15 Most Beautiful Towns In Yorkshire You Need To Visit
Yorkshire is a rugged and diverse country in the north of England, attracting more than ten million visitors yearly. As the UK’s largest region, ‘God’s Own County’ offers visitors castles, medieval cities, literary connections, and vast swathes of lush countryside.
Venturing beyond the region’s vibrant cities brings you to a land steeped in thousands of years of history. Some of the most beautiful towns in Yorkshire have roots in the Iron Age or were founded by Romans, Angles, and Vikings. Others grew up during the 19th-century Industrial Revolution but are no less stunning.
Lonely Planet describes Yorkshire as “awash with scenic landscapes, historic architecture and agreeable country pubs.” While others head for Edinburgh or Manchester, you can head here and avoid the crowds.
While Yorkshire’s buzzing cities like Leeds, York, Sheffield, and sleepy little Ripon are well worth a visit, I find the county’s charming rural towns the most appealing. So, that’s what I’m sharing with you here.
Quick Tips For Visiting Yorkshire
Best Place to Stay | The Grand Hotel, York,
How to Get Around | Rental Car, Train, Walking, Bus, Bicycle, Taxi
Top Places to Visit | Knaresborough Viaduct, Skipton Castle, Harrogate Turkish Baths
Insider Tips | Bettys Tea Rooms, RHS Harlow Carr
Best Tours | The Yorkshire Dales Tour from York, From Liverpool: Full-Day Yorkshire Sightseeing Adventure, From Manchester: Yorkshire Sightseeing Day Trip
Best Money Saver: Public Transport!
Grey Globetrotters Travel Blog contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. See my disclaimer for more information.
15 Most Beautiful Towns in Yorkshire
And who better to highlight the best Yorkshire towns than a local who knows this incredible UK county inside out!
Let’s take a look at some of the best towns in Yorkshire that you really should see at least once in your lifetime:
1. Hawes: Home of the Wensleydale Creamery
In a scenic spot on the River Ure, Hawes is the home of Wensleydale cheese. Visitors can watch cheese-making at the Wensleydale Creamery and learn about life in the Yorkshire Dales at the Dales Countryside Museum.
With a small selection of traditional shops to browse, Hawes is the perfect spot for walkers of all abilities. The Hawes to Aysgill Force waterfall trail is a scenic 1 1/2-hour hike, while the ”Miles without Stiles’ 0.2-mile stroll from Hawes to Cotter Force waterfall is an easy, accessible route.
Practical Information
Hawes is 65 miles (1 1/2 hours) from York or Leeds and 90 miles (2 hours) from Manchester. If you prefer not to drive, it’s a popular calling point on tours of the Yorkshire Dales.
The White Hart Inn serves home-cooked British favourites, and Simonstone Hall‘s romantic four-poster beds make it the perfect place to stay.
2. Knaresborough
Knaresborough’s unique medieval houses and narrow winding streets clustered around the ruins of Knaresborough Castle make it one of the most charming North Yorkshire towns.
Located high above the River Nidd Gorge – spanned by the soaring Victorian Knaresborough viaduct, the town is also home to Mother Shipton’s Cave, the UK’s oldest paid tourist attraction and a cosy Christmas market.
TIP: The scenic route from Knaresborough to Harrogate via the Nidd Valley is particularly scenic.
Practical Information
Knaresborough is 17 miles (30 minutes) from York and 61 miles (90 minutes) from Manchester. If you prefer not to drive, you can easily reach the town by train from Leeds, Harrogate, and York.
Newton House is a charming and friendly 300-year-old B&B, allegedly built with stone from Knaresborough Castle.
READ MORE: Best Things to Do in Knaresborough
3. Pateley Bridge
Pretty Pateley Bridge is a small market town tucked away in Nidderdale, with a quaint high street, cosy cafes, traditional country pubs, and scenic walks along the banks of the River Nidd.
It’s a great base for outdoor sports enthusiasts, with exceptional hiking trails, walks, cycle routes, and places to go kayaking and fishing nearby.
TIP: Make sure to visit the oldest sweet shop in England – on the High Street.
Practical Information
Pateley Bridge is 17 miles (30 minutes) from Harrogate or 47 miles (60 minutes) from York. You can also take a local bus from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge.
The luxury apartments at Nydsley Hall offer free WiFi, free private parking, and two have hot tubs.
READ MORE: What to see and do in Pateley Bridge
4. Middleham
The ‘Windsor of the North’, Middleham, was an important town in late Medieval Britain and the childhood home of King Richard III.
Today, Middleham Park Racing and the ruins of Middleham Castle make it one of the best North Yorkshire towns to explore.
Practical Information
Middleham is 46 miles (one hour) from York. The town has no train station, so you can take a combination of trains and buses from York via Northallerton, but it will take at least two hours.
Barbican Cottage is one of the sweetest little stone cottages in the middle of the village, with beamed ceilings and views over Middleham Castle. If you want to go on holiday with your pup, it’s the perfect dog-friendly location!
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: What to see and do in Nidderdale
5. Harrogate
Elegant Harrogate is a spa town with European Royal connections and historic buildings, including exquisite Turkish Baths.
The award-winning town centre Valley Gardens and RHS Harlow Carr Gardens are top attractions, while the antique shops and independent boutiques in the Montpellier Quarter are heaven for trendy shopaholics.
An idyllic base for exploring the Yorkshire Dales, Harrogate is close to ancient castles, ruined abbeys, and two unique UNESCO World Heritage sites.
TIP: Bettys Tea Rooms is one of Harrogate’s main attractions, serving Yorkshire’s most iconic afternoon tea.
Practical Information
Trains from Leeds and York reach Harrogate in 40-45 minutes, around the same time as the car journey.
The bistro restaurant at Hotel du Vin is a favourite with locals. It combines great food, French panache, and Yorkshire hospitality.
READ MORE: What to see and do in Harrogate
6. Saltburn On Sea
Pretty little Victorian Saltburn-by-the-Sea has the oldest working water-powered funicular railway in Britain. It connects the clifftop town with the only remaining pleasure pier on the Yorkshire coast.
Watch surfers catching the waves from the pier, then wander through the Italian gardens in the ravine of the Skelton Beck. Stay for the sunset views of the coast from the top of the cliffs, or stay overnight to catch a glorious sunrise over the pier. Saltburn is one of the most beautiful towns in Yorkshire for a relaxed day trip.
Practical Information
The prettiest route to Saltburn from York—through the North York Moors National Park—takes 1 hour and 20 minutes, but it’s well worth the 60-mile drive.
Brockley Hall Hotel is unique and fabulous. It has an excellent restaurant, quirky rooms, and a prime location.
READ MORE: What to see and do in Saltburn
7. Skipton: Gateway to the Yorkshire Dales
Medieval Skipton draws thousands of visitors yearly to its quaint, cobbled streets, award-winning market, and the imposing 11th-century Skipton Castle. Shakespeare fans love the Craven Museum and Gallery, which has one of only four of the playwright’s First Folios on display.
My favourite thing in Skipton is meandering down to the scenic Leeds to Liverpool canal for ice creams or a boat trip. The town is also the perfect base for walking, cycling, and driving to other stunning locations in the Yorkshire Dales.
Practical Information
Regular trains run from Leeds to Skipton, taking from 38 minutes, while the 30-mile drive typically takes just over an hour.
The Bailey Bed and Breakfast is a homely little B&B, moments from Skipton Castle, with free parking (a real bonus in Skipton!)
READ MORE: What to see and do in Skipton
8. Hebden Bridge
British Airway’s High Life magazine called Hebden Bridge “one of the world’s funkiest towns “, and it’s easy to see why. Often rated as one of the best towns in Yorkshire, Hebden Bridge is home to many creative and artsy folk, its cool and welcoming vibe, and the complete absence of chain stores.
Visit the independent 1920s cinema and the masses of cool cafes and bars, and stay for the thriving music scene. Literary fans flock to Hebden Bridge, which features in Ted Hughes’ poem The Stubbing Wharfe, and visit the grave of Hughes’ wife, Sylvia Plath, in nearby Heptonstall.
Practical Information
Direct trains take 47 minutes from Leeds, 90 minutes from York and just half an hour from Manchester. The Groom’s House is an exceptional guest house.
9. Whitby
This bustling fishing port nestles beneath towering cliffs bearing the magnificent Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey – the brooding inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula. 199 steps wind down to the town, the best views of the town.
Once one of the largest fishing ports in the UK, Whitby today is a quirky town, with a jumble of atmospheric little streets and individual buildings packed with interesting gift shops and tea rooms.
Good to know: Whitby is the best place in the world to eat fish and chips. I recommend you check out the Magpie Cafe to try them for yourself!
Practical Information
The easiest way to get to Whitby is to drive through the outstandingly beautiful North York Moors National Park (around 1 hour/46 miles). Check car rental deals here.
Stay at the charming family-run Saxonville Hotel: it’s cosy, centrally located, and has a terrific restaurant. Alternatively, check out the gorgeous cottages in the town, but be quick! Whitby is always busy in the summer and during the annual Whitby Goth Festival in April.
10. Wetherby
Elegant Wetherby is a well-regarded market town on the banks of the River Wharfe in West Yorkshire with a long history (it was mentioned in the ‘Domesday Book’ of 1086).
With a weekly town centre market every Thursday and a farmers’ market on the second Sunday of every month, Wetherby’s attractive main street and cluster of independent shops are always busy but rarely crowded.
Nature lovers can enjoy leisurely walks along the River Wharfe, following its winding path through picturesque pastures to neighbouring villages.
Practical Information
The best way to visit is by car, as there is no train station. (12 miles from Leeds City Centre, 12 miles from York and 8 miles from Harrogate). Alternatively, you can get a bus from Leeds bus station.
While you can stay in Wetherby (and I 100% recommend the gorgeous Wood Hall Hotel & Spa), I’d also recommend staying in Leeds or Harrogate when visiting the town.
11. Grassington – The All Creatures Great & Small Town
Grassington appears as the fictional town of Darrowby in the UK Channel 5 remake of the classic TV series All Creatures Great and Small.
After exploring the lovely independent shops dotted around the market square, the River Wharfe beckons to see the pretty Linton Falls and for scenic walks alongside the river.
Good to know: Grassington is on the Dales Way walking route from Ilkley to Bowness, and there are umpteen walking opportunities in the area.
Practical Information
By car, Grassington is 65 miles from Manchester (90 minutes) or 44 miles (75 minutes) from York. Alternatively, the Dales Bus service runs to Grassington from several North Yorkshire towns and villages.
The Devonshire Grassington has an idyllic location in the centre of the village – and the breakfast is delicious!
READ MORE: What to see and do in Grassington
12. Helmsley
Bewitching Helmsley won the Great British High Street award for the best market town, and it’s easy to see why.
From the thriving high street with its range of attractive independent shops and high-quality eateries to the majestic stronghold of Helmsley Castle and the ancient ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, this foodie destination offers a variety of attractions.
Helmsley Walled Garden is a horticultural haven, while the National Centre for Birds of Prey offers a thrilling experience for wildlife enthusiasts, and the manicured gardens and grounds of Duncombe Park combine natural beauty with architectural grandeur.
Practical Information
Helmsley is 30 miles from York (50 minutes) or 113 miles (2 hours) from Manchester by car. Public transport options will take significantly longer.
The Feathers and the Black Swan are attractive up-market pubs with rooms offering exceptionally good food.
13. Richmond
Richmond, North Yorkshire, is a picturesque market town on the River Swale steeped in history and culture. King Richard III had strong ties to the area, and his title of Duke of Richmond influenced the town’s name.
Striking 11th-century Richmond Castle is the best-preserved Norman fortress in the UK, with breathtaking views of the River Swale and the Dales. The Green Howards Museum features exhibits honoring the local regiment’s rich heritage.
A stroll through the charming market square and a relaxing walk along the scenic Easby Abbey ruins complete a perfect day in this historic town.
Practical Information
Richmond is 30 minutes by bus from Darlington, on the busy York to Edinburgh train line, or 70 minutes (48 miles) by car.
Frenchgate Restaurant & Hotel is my favourite place to eat. It offers impeccable service and high-quality dishes like seared scallops and classic coq au vin.
14. Pickering
Pickering is a charming North Yorkshire market town with a unique blend of history and natural beauty. The markets and quaint shops are perfect for purchasing unique crafts and local produce.
Medieval Pickering Castle offers panoramic views and a glimpse into England’s past, while the Beck Isle Museum showcases Victorian life. Nearby Dalby Forest provides excellent walking, cycling, and wildlife-spotting trails.
Good to Know: the North York Moors Railway is a heritage steam train that meanders through the stunning countryside from Pickering to Whitby via the ‘Harry Potter’ station in the cute village of Goathland.
Practical Information
Richmond is one hour (27 miles) by car from York or 90 minutes on the scenic 840/843 Coastliner bus through the North York Moors.
15. Malton – Yorkshire’s Food Capital
Malton offers a mix of culinary delights and historic charm.
In Malton Market, local farmers and artisans showcase fresh local produce, gourmet goods, and local ales. Indulge in the town’s famous food scene by exploring the array of speciality shops, cosy cafes, and top-notch restaurants, or join a Malton Food Tour for a guided tasting experience.
History enthusiasts will enjoy Malton Museum and the ancient St. Mary’s Priory, while the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers scenic walking trails and picturesque views.
Good to know: Malton is the closest town to Castle Howard, the magnificent stately home which has been featured in TV shows ranging from Brideshead Revisited and Victoria, to the Netfllix sensation – Bridgerton..
Practical Information
Malton is 48 minutes (20 miles) by car from York or 67 minutes on the scenic 840/843 Coastliner bus through the North York Moors.
FAQs: Most Beautiful Towns In Yorkshire
Where Is Yorkshire, England?
Yorkshire is located in the North of England. Trains from London to Leeds take around 2 hours, and trains to York from London take around 2 1/2 hours.
Which Part Of Yorkshire Is Most Beautiful?
The three areas of Yorkshire traditionally considered the most beautiful are the Yorkshire Dales, the North York Moors, and the North Yorkshire Coast.
What Is The Prettiest Town In Yorkshire Dales?
Knaresborough is one of the prettiest and most photographed towns in the Yorkshire Dales.
What Is The Poshest Part Of Yorkshire?
Real estate agents describe the area in North and West Yorkshire between Wetherby, Harrogate and Ilkley as the “Golden Triangle” thanks to the number of high-quality homes and great lifestyle in the area. The upmarket village of Kirkby Overblow is regarded as the poshest village in Yorkshire.
Where Is The Nicest Place To Live In Yorkshire?
Yorkshire is full of amenities that make it a great place to live, whether you want a buzzing city, a beautiful coastal town, or one of the stunning Yorkshire towns in the Dales.
Wrap-Up: The Most Beautiful Towns In Yorkshire
The biggest problem when picking which of the most beautiful towns in Yorkshire to visit is narrowing down your choices.
Do you want somewhere easily accessible from Yorkshire’s great cities to make the most of a city break, or would you prefer to explore a more off-the-beaten-path location in the fabulous Yorkshire Dales or North York Moors?
Is exploring history vital to you, or do you love exploring the beautiful countryside? The most beautiful towns in Yorkshire offer all of these and more.
Yorkshire will charm you whether you’re looking for rolling hills, quaint cottages made from mellow local stone, sweeping sunsets, incredible Victorian viaducts, tumbling waterfalls, or fields full of spring lambs.
Just remember your camera and your appetite! Yorkshire food is legendary – and the portions are generous.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to the most beautiful towns in Yorkshire. You may find these other Yorkshire travel guides useful:
- Good To Know: The Ultimate Yorkshire Bucket List & What To Pack for Yorkshire & Best Cities in Yorkshire
- Cute Yorkshire Villages: Goathland, Staithes, Ripley & Haworth (Home of the Brontë Sisters)
- Where To Stay: Castle Hotels in Yorkshire
- Top Landmarks: Skipton Castle, Bolton Abbey, York Minster & Fountains Abbey
- What To Eat: Best Yorkshire Food & Afternoon Tea
- How To Visit: Best Day Trip to York from London & Best Christmas Markets in Yorkshire
- Beyond the Cities: Best Day Trips From York & Best Day Trips From Leeds
If you found this post helpful, bookmark it for later and share it with your friends! If you’re on Pinterest, you can click the image below to save it 🙂
