Bank holiday breaks in Yorkshire
Yorkshire: Pleasantly relaxing, perfectly rural
Why not spend your Bank Holiday in Yorkshire? You don't have to wander far from the M1 to find yourself transported into another world. Yorkshire with its idyllic country resorts, historic cities and spectacular coastlines is a haven for relaxation and escape.
There are a lot of beautiful and peaceful landscapes in England, but Yorkshire is special. Two national parks and a rich history left by Romans, Vikings, and Normans make it a place with a lot to see and do.
For the nature lover, there's so much to explore on a Yorkshire Bank Holiday break. The majestic dales with their limestone pavements and prehistoric caves will delight the casual walker or hardier explorer.
Whatever you decide to do, you're guaranteed a great time, whether you're travelling here alone, with your family or friends.
Here are a few ideas for Yorkshire bank holiday weekends in May and August — or whenever you may choose to visit Yorkshire.
Yorkshire Moors
Peaceful times and timeless pleasure
Do you want your Bank Holiday weekend in Yorkshire to be calm and peaceful?
You will find all this and more at North York Moors National Park.
500 square miles of rugged beauty await you. From the coast to the spacious open moorland, this landscape is one of the most beautiful in England. It offers the best blend of history, scenic landscapes, picturesque coastal towns, moor, and forest.
Start your short break in Scarborough, the southern tip of the National Park. Visit the award-winning beaches and promenades. Then head north towards the moors themselves.
The North York Moors National Park is a popular destination for walkers, cyclists, and horse riders alike. So, why not hire a bike or saddle up yourself?
The park is also a paradise for wildlife. You can find more than 200 species of birds here, including curlew and black grouse, as well as mammals such as fallow deer, badger, and otter.
There is also a wealth of historic buildings including monasteries, castles, and manor houses. Bathe in the blue waters of Whitby, visit the rough ruins of the famous gothic Whitby Abbey towering above the city and the cliffs.
Or stroll along the historic streets of Pickering, enjoy exciting activities such as horse riding and sailing. Visit Staithes and walk along the sea wall. See an imposing castle at Scalby Mills. Visit medieval manor houses like Helmsley Castle, Rosedale Abbey and Castle Howard.
The Yorkshire Coast
Go on a Coastal Bank Holiday Break
Yorkshire's coastline is perfect for short breaks. It offers plenty of fun days out! Get some fresh air and enjoy exploring castles, strolling through adorable fishing villages, and visiting museums, and art galleries.
You can also enjoy some fantastic beaches and scenic walking trails along the coastlines.
For example, Flamborough beach is a nice, sandy beach and one of North Yorkshire's most popular seaside resorts.
Take in some of Yorkshire's most picturesque spots like Robin Hood's Bay or Runswick Bay.
The beach at Runswick Bay, just 10 miles (ca. 16 km) north of Whitby, has been nominated Sunday Times' Beach of the Year 2020. It's a wonderfully quiet and not-yet-run-over place. Hop onto a paddleboard or rent a kayak.
If you're looking for a more traditional seaside resort, then Scarborough could be just what you're looking for. Alternatively, Bridlington has plenty going on with its famous Spa Complex.
Yorkshire Dales
Ready to fall in love?
The Yorkshire Dales National Park is the largest area of protected landscape in England. What a great place to explore on your Yorkshire Bank Holiday break!
The mighty forces of ice age glaciers formed this astounding stretch of North Yorkshire landscape, carving out deep river valleys. They left behind high moorland tops and more than 2,500 underground limestone caves.
This is a place that requires time and patience: The park is extensive! It covers an area of 840 square miles (2.175 km) from Skipton in the west to Sedbergh in the east and includes parts of Cumbria and Lancashire, too.
Most visitors come here for the rolling hills, lush green fields and spectacular views. Farmhouses, barns, limestone caves and mills dot the landscape — a perfect location for exploring on foot or by bike.
There are plenty of walking trails in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, taking you through some of the most scenic areas in the UK. Walkers can choose from easy circular walks to more challenging hikes across Yorkshire Dales National Park. If you're an experienced walker, why not try one of the more challenging walks?
The Yorkshire Dales are generally a safe place to visit, but it does not hurt to be prepared for outdoor activities and fast-changing weather conditions.
Checking the weather before you set off and dressing accordingly is critical for your health and well-being in the outdoors. Wear appropriate clothing (multiple, thin layers to keep you warm), waterproof jacket to keep you dry and footwear with a good grip to keep you from slipping Avoid any potential hazards, such as steep cliffs or fast-flowing streams, and take extra care when navigating around them.
There is a concise Walking Safety Guide available from Great Outdoors Superstore for download. And be sure to always Follow the Countryside Code.
You are a bit less adventurous and love scenic drives? Then check out the Buttertubs Pass, which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding valleys, and the Ribblehead Viaduct, which is a famous railway bridge that spans the valley.
Caving is your “thing”? The park is also home to some of the best caves in Britain — including Gaping Gill, the largest cave entrance anywhere in the country. There's Pot Hole Cave and several other spectacular limestone caverns. Visitors can book guided trips into these underground wonders. You can also explore the caves on your own with a helmet, head torch and sturdy boots.
The area is also well-known for its historic bridges and viaducts. The famous Ribblehead Viaduct was opened in 1876. The viaduct spans over 400 metres across the River Wharfe at Clapham.
Nidderdale (AONB) is a unique area of lowland heathland that stretches from the River Wharfe in the west to Grassington in the east. Its abundant flora includes species such as wild thyme and purple moor grass. This area also has a rich history, including Bronze Age burial mounds and evidence of Roman occupation.
Forest of Bowland (AONB) is one of England's best-known landscapes. It's a dramatic blend of woodland glades and rocky crags that rise above lush pastures. Interspersed are lakes and streams fringed by hanging banksia roses.
There's plenty to do and see in the picturesque towns and villages of the Yorkshire Dales. The charming villages and hamlets are nestled in the magnificent countryside and capture you with their cobbled marketplaces, quaint streets and stone buildings. Medieval churches and priories complete the picture with their grey stones. All this provides a great focal point for exploration because you are never far away from scenic waterfalls, longer woodland walks or shorter strolls along the rivers.
To many visitors, these picturesque Yorkshire towns and villages are viewed as little slices of heaven on earth:
- Masham
- Skipton
- Pateley Bridge
- Settle
- Richmond
- Leyburn
- Sedbergh
- Hawes
- Kirkby Lonsdale
- Kirkby Stephen
- Burnsall
- Malham
- Ingleton
East Riding of Yorkshire
A Coastal Escape
Are you looking for a relaxing break by the sea? Then this is your chance to explore the coast of East Yorkshire. This is an ideal getaway. The Telegraph voted the area one of the 10 best coastal walks in Britain. You'll find plenty of beaches, dunes, and wildlife reserves along this stretch of coastline — including Bempton Cliffs where you can see puffins. There are many places to stay nearby, including holiday parks with facilities like swimming pools and play areas for kids.
Bridlington
It's "the beach and the sea" in Bridlington, a bustling coastal town in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Bridlington seafront has 2 beaches (North and South Bridlington Beach), connected by a flat and well-maintained sea front promenade. With their fine sands, both beaches are perfect for your kids' buckets and spades.
Hornsea
The quiet little seaside town of Hornsea offers a lovely, wide and sandy beach and a bustling promenade to stroll along for 2 kilometres. The Town centre is just a 10-minute walk away from the shoreline. To the west of the city, you can find Yorkshire's biggest freshwater lake (Hornsea Mere).
Withernsea
Withernsea on the east coast of Yorkshire has a nice, clean and quiet beach. You'll find sand and shingles there and plenty of food places, arcades for refreshments and entertainment nearby. The small town is also renowned for its landmark lighthouse, situated in the middle of the city on Hull Road. Go visit the lighthouse museum and climb to the top. Yes, 144 steps are quite challenging, but you'll be rewarded with a stunning view of the sea and the city.
Flamborough
Flamborough is called ‘the village by the sea’. It has attracted visitors for quite some time with its clean, sandy beaches (North and South Landing). A fantastic chalk headland and breathtaking clifftop walks await you here, and you might even spot seals basking on the rocks below. The main highlights are the lighthouses. You can visit the “old” and remarkable octagonal chalk lighthouse from the 17th century or the active Flamborough Head Lighthouse.
Bempton Cliffs
If you're looking for incredible birdwatching opportunities, Bempton cliffs near Bridlington are well worth a visit. The cliffs are home to thousands of birds (puffins, gannets and guillemots), and you can watch them in their natural habitat from the viewing platforms on the cliff top. Spectacular views across the North Sea make this one of Yorkshire's most popular tourist attractions.
The Yorkshire Wolds
Let's go for a walk
The Yorkshire Wolds (meaning: an elevated, hilly landscape) is a place of contrast and variety. The rolling hills, steep-sided valleys and soaring skies create a stunning landscape of lush farmland and tranquil woodlands. The historic towns, villages, and hamlets are full of character, with many archaeological remains and many unspoilt medieval buildings and churches.
The Yorkshire Wolds cover ca. 100 square miles (259 km) of lush pasture, dotted with picturesque villages, historic buildings and plenty of wildlife. This makes it a perfect destination for extended country walks amidst the chalk landscape of the Wolds. Follow the Yorkshire Wolds Way (a National Trail), which meanders gently for 79 miles (ca. 127 km) through some of the most serene and inspiring countrysides in England.
Driffield is a fine destination for a Yorkshire Bank Holiday break. The Wolds can be so wonderfully relaxing! And the town has a lovely old market square and quaint streets lined with shops selling everything from antiques to local produce. Driffield Canal is surrounded by beautiful countryside and is within easy reach of numerous scenic pathways.
East Yorkshire Market Towns & Villages
Discover the hidden gems
Visiting the same old destinations on your holidays? Why not mix it up with a Bank Holiday Break in East Yorkshire Market Towns?
East Yorkshire is a feast for the eye. The region has several market towns that offer the best of everything for visitors: From quaint cobbled streets to bustling high streets and breathtaking scenery.
Hull is a historic city in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England, and is situated on the River Hull. Its full name is "Kingston upon Hull" and it was an important port in medieval times as well as a strategic location for the British during the Second World War.
Goole is a port town on the River Ouse. It's further away from the North Sea than any other port in the UK. Situated 50 miles (ca. 80 km) away from the sea, Goole's nickname "port in green fields" is well-earned.
Beverly is not just another Yorkshire market town with cobbled streets and historic pubs. If you admire high- and late medieval churches in the lofty gothic style, then the impressive Beverly Minster is the place to go. Its length (333 feet / ca. 101 m) is just as impressive as the stained-glass windows, making this ensemble a gothic masterpiece.
Bank holiday cottages in Yorkshire
Stay for a short break (or longer) in a self-catering cottage
Escape from the city's hustle and bustle and unwind in beautiful, natural settings. Yorkshire cottages combine the tranquillity of picturesque locations with all the comforts of modern-day amenities (and perhaps the added luxury of a hot tub…).
Nestled in the rolling hills and picturesque countryside of Yorkshire, there's a wealth of holiday cottages waiting to be discovered. From the rugged North York Moors National Park to the gentle slopes of the Yorkshire Dales and the stunning coastline of Whitby and Scarborough, you can find a cozy retreat that suits your needs.
Types of Yorkshire cottages
Book a self-catering lodge for a long weekend bank holiday break. Enjoy the freedom you need and privacy you desire. Get the cosiness of a home away from home.
- Traditional stone cottages
- Modern holiday homes
- Converted barns or farmhouses
- Thatched cottages
- Luxurious country manors
- Cosy log cabins
- Seaside retreats
- Town house flats
- Riverside or lakeside cottages
- Converted coach houses or stables
Travel to Yorkshire
If you are planning a trip to Yorkshire, you should know how to get there
Airports
Yorkshire is well-connected to London Heathrow, the Channel Islands and overseas (and vice versa) by three airports: Leeds Bradford International Airport, Doncaster Sheffield Airport and Humberside Airport.
Jet2, Ryanair, TUI Airways and British Airways operate regular, scheduled and seasonal charter flights from/to many European countries.
Travel to Yorkshire from overseas
Rail
Thanks to its central location between the south of England and Scotland, Yorkshire is serviced by fast and frequent cross-country and high-speed trains.
Ferries
Several operators offer a regular (sometimes overnight) ferry service to Hull and Newcastle from Holland, Belgium, and Germany.
Yorkshire: Weather and climate
Yorkshire has a maritime climate, with slightly cooler summers and moderate temperatures all year round. Spring can be mild and sunny, mixed with not-as-frequent-as-expected light rain showers. Winters can be quite chilly, with some spells of snow.
| Temp | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max | 9 | 9 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 18 | 18 | 16 | 13 | 11 |
| Min | 3 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 6 | 5 |