North Yorkshire Sightseeing, Attractions & Activities Guide

recommended places to visit and things to do in North Yorkshire


  • historic house
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  • place of worship
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • guided tours
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • religion

northern Europe's largest medieval cathedral, a stone masterpiece in various Gothic styles, with the world's largest medieval stained glass window

  • film/tv location
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  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • park
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • social history
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  • TV
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  • walking

stately home, architectural masterpiece, housing an outstanding art collection and stunning interiors, set in 1000 acres of parkland and featured in Brideshead Revisited and Victoria

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • free admission
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • history
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  • social history
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  • transport
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  • trains

well-presented railway museum, largest in the world, with a wide-ranging appeal beyond the railway enthusiast

  • archeological site
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  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • virtual tours
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  • shop
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  • archeology
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  • history
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  • social history

multi-media ride through a realistic reconstruction of the sights, sounds and smells of the 10th century Viking settlement on this site

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • seasonal opening
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • architecture
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  • food & drink
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • social history

former home of The Priors of Nostell and Mayor of York - rediscovered behind modern facade in 1980s - restored to original 15th century splendour - magnificent Great Hall

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

displaying exhibitions of contemporary and historic art in the spacious Saloon Galleries. The gardens are experiencing a renaissance with new planting schemes, enhancing the herbaceous borders

  • garden
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

14 acres of gardens - herbaceous borders - rose garden - rockery - cottage garden

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • history
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  • local history
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  • transport
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  • trains

with events, demonstrations of traditional crafts and changing exhibitions telling the story of the Yorkshire Dales, landscape and people, past and present

  • tourist railway
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • transport
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  • trains

built in 1888 with a new award winning Bolton Abbey station which is a reconstruction of the original and vintage steam locomotives

  • historic house
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • antiques
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  • ceramics
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  • furniture
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  • history

a fine Georgian town house, exuding a welcoming feeling, with a richly decorated interior with many objects d'art and a special children's tour

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café

the home of the Terry family (chocolates). Make your own chocolate box to take home and wander in the beautifully restored Arts & Crafts garden

  • nature reserve
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • shop

the edge of the lovely town of Grassington in the heart of Wharfedale, with large car park and picnic facilities

Nunnington Hall

Kirkbymoorside

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop

a welcoming house on the River Rye including a collection of high quality, miniature rooms and touring art exhibitions throughout the year

Rotunda Museum

Scarborough

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • limited opening
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  • shop
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  • geology
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  • history

dedicated to the local, coastal geology which has yielded many of Britains most important dinosaur fossils, with original Victorian exhibits and modern hands on galleries

  • historic house
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  • garden
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  • seasonal opening
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • furniture
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  • history
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  • nature
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

a fine regency hall surrounded by parkland designed by Capability Brown and will modern gardens designed by the renowned Dutch plantsman Piet Oudolf.. Alive with clever contrasts and colour throughout the seasons

  • museum
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  • something different!
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre

a family interactive experience where the visitor can learn about cheese, watch demonstrations and try out some cheese

  • brewery
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • visitor centre
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  • history
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  • local history

with many interesting artefacts and items relating to nearly two hundred years of brewing, as well as an opportunity to sample any of six different cask ales

  • museum
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  • family-friendly
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  • all-weather attraction
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  • open year round
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  • café
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  • guided tours
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  • shop
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  • history
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  • social history

popular museum covering everyday life through the centuries, best known for its reconstructed Victorian street

  • archeological site
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  • park
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  • place of worship
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  • family-friendly
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  • open year round
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  • National Trust
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  • World Heritage Site
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  • café
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  • archeology
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  • architecture
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  • history
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  • religion
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

founded in the twelfth century, these magnificent ruins echo with centuries old stories. Wonderful walking with ancient tree avenues and a playful water garden

Rievaulx Terrace

Kirkbymoorside

  • historic house
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  • park
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  • family-friendly
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  • seasonal opening
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  • National Trust
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  • café
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  • shop
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  • antiques
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  • architecture
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  • art
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  • history
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  • walking
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  • wildlife

grand and tranquil historic house with an impressive ionic temple, a woodland play area and outdoor games for children. Picnics welcome

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