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England | |
Yorkshire |
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England,
Yorkshire Yorkshire: Yorkshire Tourist Board, 312 Tadcaster Road, York YO25 1GS; (tel: (01904) 707 961; fax: (01904) 701 414; e-mail: ytb@yorkshire-tourist-board.org.uk; web site: http://www.ytb.org.uk). Yorkshire & Humberside is a region of beautiful countryside, rugged castles, stately homes and ancient churches all packed tightly into a compact area with good transport connections. For many people, the scenic grandeur of the Yorkshire Dales National Park - 1761 sq km (680 sq miles) of unspoilt countryside, rivers, caves and unforgettable views - is a major attraction all year round. This is the landscape made famous by JMW Turner and, most recently, by the worldwide success of the books and TV series featuring Dales vet, James Herriot. The surgery and locations used in the filming can be seen in Askrigg, in Wensleydale. Walking is a very popular pastime in the area, with everything from gentle strolls to hearty climbs such as the ascent of the Three Peaks of Ingleborough, Whernside and Pen-y-ghent. An even bigger challenge is the Pennine Way, the toughest of many long-distance footpaths to be found in Yorkshire & Humberside. Historic castles abound in the region, such as the great fortresses of Richmond and Middleham, the latter associated with Richard III. Bolton Castle in Wensleydale once served as a prison for the ill-fated Mary Queen of Scots, whilst an even more tragic scenario was played out at Pontefract Castle in West Yorkshire, where Richard II was murdered. A more stable period for the aristocracy is reflected in the great houses to be found dotted throughout the region, notably Castle Howard, near Malton, world famous as the setting for the TV adaptation of Evelyn Waugh's Brideshead Revisited. Other fine houses open to the public include Harewood House, Duncombe Park, Nostell Priory, Sledmere House and Burton Constable Hall. The great city of York, with its unparalleled wealth of historic sites, continues to be a strong magnet for visitors; more than two million people visit the Minster - northern Europe's largest Gothic cathedral - every year. Other top attractions are the National Railway Museum, the Castle Museum and the Jorvik Viking Centre, whilst many people come to see the medieval ring of walls or to shop in the Shambles. Humberside is a maritime county with powerful links with Britain's proud seafaring tradition. The city of Hull is an important working port, and has recently been transformed by the new waterfront marina development, whilst the majestic Humber Bridge is an attraction in its own right. Beyond Hull is the gentle lowland area of Holderness, which ends in the bird sanctuary at lonely Spurn Point. To the north lies the ancient market town of Beverley, with its Georgian houses in the shadow of the minster. Close by is the racecourse and the Museum of Army Transport. The North York Moors National Park has miles of open moorland with picturesque villages nestling in hollows. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway, starting at Pickering, is one of the most scenic in Britain, and is one of the many steam railways in the region - others include the Embsay Steam Railway at Skipton and the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway. On the coast, traditional family resorts include Scarborough, Bridlington and Cleethorpes which have added a number of attractions, such as Bridlington's popular Leisure World Complex. There are also many smaller resorts, each with their own special character, such as Whitby with its busy harbour and clifftop abbey, linked to Bram Stoker's Dracula. Between the coast and the Vale of York lie The Wolds, a gentle range of rolling hills with timeless villages and quiet lanes, ideal for walking or cycling. On the edge of The Wolds is Malton, one of the many interesting towns to be found dotted throughout the region - others worth a visit include Thirsk, Skipton, Selby, Ilkley and Harrogate (which has good conference facilities). The cities of South and West Yorkshire make interesting destinations, their potent industrial heritage combined with a new spirit of renovation and renewal. Bradford has led the way, with the award-winning National Museum of Photography, Film and Television. Wakefield boasts Caphouse Colliery, home of the Yorkshire Mining Museum. Close by are the wild moors of the Pennines where the Brontë sisters lived in the village of Haworth. |