Yorkshire
5
Day Itinerary •
UK
Five days in Yorkshire gives you the full extraordinary depth of England's largest county, from the limestone pavements of Malham and the heather moors of the North York Moors to the most extraordinary chalk headland in Britain at Flamborough Head, the finest medieval carving in England at Beverley Minster and the extraordinary sand spit of Spurn Point curling into the North Sea. This route covers the complete Yorkshire landscape from the Dales and the Moors through the most beautiful river valley in England at Swaledale and the Wharfedale gorge of Bolton Abbey to the East Riding chalk wolds and coast. Five days across the full extraordinary breadth of the finest county in England.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Train to Skipton from Leeds, 45 minutes
Getting Around
Car essential. B6265 and B6160 are finest Dales roads
Budget Per Day
Approx 90 to 295 GBP per person per day
Difficulity
Moderate, moorland and coastal walking
DAY 1
THE YORKSHIRE DALES
MORNING
MALHAM COVE, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY NATURAL AMPHITHEATRE IN ENGLAND
Malham Cove is the most extraordinary natural rock feature in the Yorkshire Dales, a 260-foot curved limestone cliff created by a waterfall that dried up at the end of the last ice age. The limestone pavement on top of the cove, one of the finest in Britain, was used as the location for the chess match in Harry Potter. The walk from Malham village takes 20 minutes. The view from the pavement over the Aire valley is extraordinary. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
GORDALE SCAR, THE MOST DRAMATIC GORGE IN THE YORKSHIRE DALES
Gordale Scar adjacent to Malham is the most dramatic limestone gorge in England, its extraordinary overhanging walls 300 feet high and the twin waterfalls cascading through the gorge giving it an atmosphere of complete grandeur. Turner painted it. Wordsworth called it one of the wonders of Britain. The scramble up the waterfall is straightforward for fit walkers. Entry free. Car park at Janet's Foss approx 3 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
THE SETTLE TO CARLISLE RAILWAY, THE MOST SCENIC RAILWAY IN ENGLAND
The Settle to Carlisle railway is the most extraordinary mainline railway in England, its 72-mile route over the Pennines crossing the extraordinary Ribblehead Viaduct on 24 arches 104 feet above the valley floor and passing through some of the finest upland scenery in the Dales. The return journey from Settle to Ribblehead and back gives the finest 30 minutes of railway travel in England. Entry approx 15 pounds return.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Tarn Moss at Malham Tarn, the highest lake in the Pennines at 1,229 feet, is a National Nature Reserve of extraordinary blanket bog, limestone heath and open water with a remarkable assemblage of upland plants including lesser bladderwort, bogbean and the rare water sedge. The surrounding limestone pavement and the extraordinary monastic fields system visible in the grassland around the tarn make it the finest hidden landscape near Malham. Entirely free via public footpath.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Buck Inn, Malham Outstanding Dales breakfast in the finest pub in Malham. Local bacon and eggs. | Lunch: The Lister Arms, Malham Outstanding pub lunch in the heart of the Dales. Local lamb and Yorkshire pudding. | Dinner: The Royal Oak, Settle Outstanding Yorkshire food at the finest inn in Settle. Local game and Dales beef.
DAY 2
THE NORTH YORK MOORS
MORNING
GOATHLAND AND THE NORTH YORKSHIRE MOORS RAILWAY
Goathland is the finest village on the North York Moors, its extraordinary open common grazed by sheep in the village itself, its waterfall of Mallyan Spout and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway steam station used as Hogsmeade in Harry Potter making it the most visited village on the moors. The steam railway from Pickering to Whitby via Goathland is the finest heritage railway journey in England. Train approx 25 pounds return. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
WHITBY AND THE ABBEY ON THE CLIFF, DRACULA'S INSPIRATION
Whitby is the finest historic town on the North Sea coast of England, its extraordinary ruined Abbey on the cliff above the town, the 199 steps from the harbour to the church and Abbey, the extraordinary Dracula connections where Bram Stoker wrote much of his novel and the finest fish and chips in Yorkshire making it the most extraordinary small town on the east coast. Entry to Abbey approx 9 pounds. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
ROBIN HOOD'S BAY, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY HIDDEN COVE VILLAGE IN ENGLAND
Robin Hood's Bay is the finest and most extraordinary hidden village in Yorkshire, its extraordinary cascade of red-roofed cottages tumbling down the cliff to a small cove beach accessible only through an extraordinary maze of ginnels and yards. The village was the finest smuggling port on the Yorkshire coast. The walk from Whitby along the Cleveland Way coast path to Robin Hood's Bay is 6 miles of extraordinary coastal walking. Entry free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Hole of Horcum near Goathland is one of the most extraordinary natural landforms in England, a vast natural amphitheatre 400 feet deep and half a mile across carved by spring sapping at the end of the last ice age. The extraordinary viewpoint from the A169 gives one of the finest unexpected panoramas in Yorkshire. The walk around the rim and down into the bowl takes 2 hours through extraordinary moorland. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Shepherd's Purse, Whitby Outstanding breakfast at the finest wholefood cafe in Whitby. Local produce throughout. | Lunch: Magpie Cafe, Whitby The finest fish and chips in Yorkshire since 1939. Outstanding North Sea cod. Queue early. | Dinner: The Mallyan Spout Hotel, Goathland Outstanding Yorkshire dinner in the finest hotel on the moors. Local game and Dales lamb.
DAY 3
SWALEDALE AND THE MOST BEAUTIFUL DALE
MORNING
SWALEDALE, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF THE YORKSHIRE DALES
Swaledale is the most beautiful of all the Yorkshire Dales, its extraordinary dry stone wall field patterns climbing the hillsides, the ancient field barns at Muker and Keld, the extraordinary lead mining ruins above Gunnerside and the River Swale running through the finest valley bottom in the Dales making it the most extraordinary landscape in Yorkshire. The walk from Muker to Keld and back along both banks of the Swale is 6 miles of quite remarkable beauty. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
RICHMOND CASTLE, THE FINEST NORMAN CASTLE IN THE NORTH
Richmond Castle is the most extraordinary Norman castle in northern England, its extraordinary 100-foot keep dating from 1071 giving the finest view over the River Swale gorge in the Dales. The medieval town of Richmond below the castle with its extraordinary cobbled market place, the Georgian Theatre Royal and the Frenchgate are all remarkable. Entry to castle approx 9 pounds. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
HARDRAW FORCE, THE FINEST SINGLE-DROP WATERFALL IN ENGLAND
Hardraw Force in Wensleydale is the highest single-drop waterfall above ground in England at 100 feet, its extraordinary plunge into a natural amphitheatre of limestone allowing visitors to walk behind the curtain of falling water completely dry. The force is accessible through the Green Dragon Inn, through whose garden the path runs. Entry approx 4 pounds through the inn. Turner painted Hardraw Force in 1816.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Buttertubs Pass between Swaledale and Wensleydale is the most extraordinary high road in the Yorkshire Dales, its extraordinary series of limestone potholes beside the road, called buttertubs because farmers used them to cool butter, the extraordinary bleakness of the moorland plateau and the extraordinary views from the summit into both valleys making it the finest high-level drive in Yorkshire. The Tour de France passed over the Buttertubs in 2014. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Farmers Arms, Muker Outstanding Dales breakfast at the finest pub in Swaledale. Local bacon and eggs. | Lunch: The Black Bull, Moulton Outstanding Yorkshire lunch at the finest gastropub in the Richmond area. | Dinner: The Tennants, Leyburn Outstanding Yorkshire food at the finest restaurant in the lower Dales.
DAY 4
THE SOUTHERN DALES
MORNING
BOLTON ABBEY AND THE STRID, THE MOST DANGEROUS SHORT STRETCH OF WATER IN BRITAIN
Bolton Abbey priory ruin on the banks of the Wharfe is the finest monastic ruin in Yorkshire, its extraordinary setting of riverside meadows, ancient woodland and the extraordinary ruined nave with the intact tower giving it a romantic perfection. The Strid 1 mile upstream is the most dangerous short stretch of water in Britain, a 6-foot wide gorge where the entire River Wharfe forces through a narrow channel. Several people have drowned attempting to jump it. Entry to estate approx 10 pounds. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
GRASSINGTON AND THE FINEST VILLAGE IN WHARFEDALE
Grassington is the finest village in Wharfedale, its extraordinary cobbled square, the independent shops and the Upper Wharfedale Museum making it the finest small town in the southern Dales. The Dales Way long-distance path passes through the village on its 80-mile route from Ilkley to the Lake District. The limestone plateau walk from Grassington to Conistone through the extraordinary Celtic field system takes 2 hours. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 20 min drive
AFTERNOON
HOW STEAN GORGE, THE LITTLE SWITZERLAND OF YORKSHIRE
How Stean Gorge near Lofthouse in Nidderdale is the most extraordinary limestone gorge in England outside the Peak District, its extraordinary narrow canyon up to 80 feet deep cut by the How Stean Beck through the Nidderdale limestone. The gorge path and bridges give access to the cave passages and the extraordinary 80-foot overhang of Tom Taylor's Cave. Entry approx 8 pounds.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Semer Water near Bainbridge in Wensleydale is the finest natural lake in the Yorkshire Dales, its extraordinary legend of a drowned village visible below the surface and the extraordinary limestone geology of the surrounding hills making it the finest hidden corner of Wensleydale. The Carlow Stone, a glacial erratic boulder beside the lake shore, is one of the finest prehistoric monuments in Yorkshire. The walk around the lake takes 2 hours. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Devonshire Arms, Bolton Abbey Outstanding breakfast at the finest country house hotel in the Dales. | Lunch: The Dalesman, Gargrave Outstanding Yorkshire pub lunch on the banks of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal. | Dinner: The Devonshire Arms, Bolton Abbey The finest dinner in the Dales. Outstanding local game and Wharfedale lamb.
DAY 5
THE EAST RIDING AND THE COAST
MORNING
FLAMBOROUGH HEAD, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY CHALK HEADLAND IN BRITAIN
Flamborough Head is the most extraordinary chalk headland in Britain, its extraordinary white cliffs, the largest mainland seabird colony in England with 200,000 nesting birds, the extraordinary lighthouse of 1806 and the remarkable chalk sea stacks and caves giving it a character quite unlike any other headland in the country. The clifftop walk from Thornwick Bay to North Landing and back is 3 miles of extraordinary coastal walking. Entry free. Drive/Travel: 1 hour drive
MIDDAY
BEVERLEY, THE FINEST MARKET TOWN IN THE EAST RIDING
Beverley is the finest market town in the East Riding of Yorkshire, its extraordinary Minster of St John the Evangelist rivalling York Minster in the quality of its medieval craftsmanship but receiving a fraction of the visitors, its extraordinary Percy tomb considered the finest piece of medieval carving in England and the Saturday market around the Butter Cross the finest in the East Riding. Entry to Minster free. Drive/Travel: 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
SPURN POINT, THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY SPIT IN BRITAIN
Spurn Point at the mouth of the Humber is the most extraordinary natural landform in Yorkshire, a 3-mile sand and shingle spit only 50 yards wide in places that curves into the North Sea in an extraordinary arc. The remote lighthouse, the extraordinary migrant bird observatory and the entirely uninhabited landscape make it the finest hidden coastal site in Yorkshire. Access by RSPB land rover or on foot. Entry free, land rover approx 8 pounds.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
Wharram Percy deserted medieval village near Malton is the most thoroughly excavated and extraordinary deserted village in Britain, its extraordinary earthworks of house platforms, the ruined church and the fishponds of the medieval village creating one of the finest hidden archaeological landscapes in Yorkshire. The village was abandoned in 1510 when the lord enclosed the fields. The walk from the car park takes 20 minutes through extraordinary chalk wold scenery. Entirely free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: The Star Inn, Harome Outstanding breakfast at the finest Michelin-starred pub in Yorkshire. Worth the drive. | Lunch: The Pipe and Glass, South Dalton Outstanding Michelin-starred pub lunch. The finest food in the East Riding. | Dinner: The Star Inn, Harome The finest pub restaurant in Yorkshire. Outstanding local game and East Riding produce.
Where To Stay
Grassington, Night 1 Grassington House. Approx 90 to 160 GBP per night. Whitby, Night 2 The White Horse and Griffin. Approx 80 to 160 GBP per night. Leyburn, Night 3 The Tennants Hotel. Approx 80 to 140 GBP per night. Bolton Abbey, Nights 4 to 5 The Devonshire Arms. Approx 150 to 280 GBP per night.
Top Tips
1. Bolton Abbey Strid: never attempt to jump it. The current underwater is fatal. View from the bank only.
2. Flamborough Head seabirds peak June to July. The 200,000 nesting birds are the finest spectacle in Yorkshire.
3. Beverley Minster Percy tomb: ask the verger to point it out. The finest medieval carving in England is easily missed.
4. Spurn Point land rover: book ahead with RSPB. The walk in takes 90 minutes each way on loose shingle.
5. How Stean Gorge cave passage: bring a torch. Tom Taylor's Cave is dark and requires crawling in places.
6. The Star Inn at Harome: book months ahead. The finest pub restaurant in England deserves forward planning.
Total Budget
90 to 290 GBP/day