Exploring York & The Yorkshire Dales
Updated: Sep 3
Heading up to the northern reaches of England, you will find yourself amongst the most quintessential part of the country. From the historic city of York to the undulating landscapes of Yorkshire Dales National Park, everything about this region feels like it was made for a Jane Austen novel. This makes it the perfect British destination for a relaxed getaway combining city escapades with a country escape.
In this article, we share more about what to expect when visiting York and the Yorkshire Dales including the best things to do and the best places to stay. With these tips and tricks in mind, you’ll be able to enjoy a calm yet adventurous luxury stay in rural Northern England.
Spend a luxury weekend in York
Home to one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Europe, the small and charming city of York is the gem of Northern England. The age-old city walls encompass a maze of cobbled streets lined with crooked timber-frame houses, the imposing York Minster, and many more historic sights, each telling a fascinating story about the city’s surprising history. Most surprising of all, however, is that behind the kitsch Brothers Grimm facade, York is an upscale city destination filled with luxury hotels, shops, restaurants, galleries, and more. This makes it an impeccable place to visit for an indulgent long weekend city break before heading into the English countryside.
Take a historic private tour of York
Get acquainted with the gorgeous city of York on a private walking tour that introduces you to its awe-inspiring sights in a thoughtful and personal way. Start with a tour of York Minster, one of the UK’s most significant cathedrals, before wandering through the cobbled lanes of the old town and along the ramparts for whistful views over the crooked medieval rooftops. Afterward, stand amongst the enchanting ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey and climb Clifford’s Tower. Along the way, your guide will enthrall you with insights and anecdotes about York’s significant role in British history spanning the Vikings to the Tudors.
Stay at a luxury city hotel
As one of the UK’s most upmarket cities, York is home to an impressive portfolio of luxury hotels. The best of the best include an 11th-century manor house, a Georgian townhouse, and a Victorian station hotel. You can even stay in the former residence of King James I which has now been transformed into the timelessly elegant Grays Court Hotel. Situated beside York Minster, boasts the best address in town. Five-star hotel The Grand is equally as impressive inside and out, plus it boasts York’s favourite spa and restaurants. There is also an exciting selection of boutique hotels, upscale b&bs, and guesthouses for those who prefer something a bit more unique. Wherever you stay, expect the elegant decoration, exceptional service, and luxurious amenities make you feel like part of a modern-day ton.
Shop in The Shambles
The Shambles might not sound too promising but what if we told you that not only is it one of the best-preserved medieval shopping streets in Europe, but it is also lined with some of the best places eat and drink in Northern England? Walking along the narrow cobbled lanes of The Shambles is like walking through Haryy Potter’s Diagon Alley with its crooked timber-frame buildings leaning inward so that their medieval-style shop signs hang over you. Peak in the shop windows to find everything from traditional English tea rooms and sweet shops to trendy independent eateries, art galleries, and real ale shops.
Eat in the city’s best restaurants
As Northeast England’s most boujie place to be, York boasts the best line-up of restaurants in the region. The line-up is headed by two Michelin-star restaurants: the modern British infusion restaurant Skosh and the modern farm-to-table restaurant Roots but several other must-try fine dining restaurants could easily compete for a top spot including Melton’s, Arras, and Legacy at The Grand. However, even the city’s casual cafes and street food spots have a gourmet edge. With such a superior foodie status, eating your way around the city is one of the best ways to explore. To get a true taste of York, try everything from the unassuming independent restaurants to the Michelin star ones but if you only have one luxury meal during your stay, make it Afternoon Tea at The Grand.
A luxury countryside getaway to the
Yorkshire Dales
Why is the Yorkshire Dales worth visiting?
The Yorkshire Dales is an expansive national park in the far reaches of Northern England that encapsulates the idealistic image of rural Britain perfectly. The Dales is a spectacle of valleys, moors, and hills stretching thousands of square miles dotted with traditional farmland and adorable country villages. One can easily spend hours if not days rambling around the Dales admiring its beautiful waterfalls, gorges, and ruined castles and wiling the time away in regal country manors and local pubs. Here’s more about what you can see and do in the Yorkshire Dales.
Hike around the Yorkshire countryside
Take in the magnificence of wild and rugged northern England on a hike or two through the Yorkshire countryside. The region is laced with trails taking you everywhere from the best natural landscapes to the best village pubs. Stretching from Derbyshire to the Scottish Borders, the Pennine Way trail is perhaps the most well-known route and with good reason. It snakes through the Dales showing off the astonishing High Cup Nick Valley, the mighty High Force waterfall, the epic Malham Cove natural amphitheatre, and much more. As well as big challenging hikes, there are plenty of short and easy trails more suitable for an afternoon stroll. The 3-mile Grassington to Burnsall trail not only starts and ends with cute village pubs, but there’s an option for wild swimming along the way.
Visit Yorkshire Dales’ towns and villages
Between the vast stretches of wild pasture in the Yorkshire Dales lie sleepy towns and villages that perfectly encapsulate the essence of rural northern England. Many are like a picture postcard with rows of old stone buildings emboldened by overgrown ivy and wisteria that lead the eye down the lane towards distant hills. While many Dales villages like Clapham and are worth visiting for their English charm alone, some offer an extra reason to visit. The historic market town of Masham is the place to go for real ales and Hawes provides an insight into the regional history with the Dales Countryside Museum and Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre. Home to galleries, cafes, and independent boutiques, bigger market towns like Kirby Lonsdale and Grassington are wonderful places to spend an idle afternoon sipping coffee and browsing shops.
See the Dales’ Historic Landmarks
While the Yorkshire Dales landscape is largely untouched, there are several ancient abbeys and ruined castles that sit proudly upon the hills as remnants of its past. Not only are they breathtaking to see in person against the Dales backdrop, but they offer an insight into the region’s past like nowhere else. Start with Fountains Abbey, an outstanding World heritage Site from the medieval period. Besides the magnificent abbey itself, visitors can explore the mill and water wheel, deer park, and the famous water gardens. Next up is Bolton Castle where Mary Queen of Scots was once held prisoner. The excellently preserved medieval castle offers great insight into life during that time. Plus there are many activities for kids from falconry to archery. Finally, add Pendragon Castle and Bolton Abbey to your tour for more unbelievable history and ruined architecture within the Dales’ beautiful hills.
Relax in your country retreat
Serenity and solitude are two things guaranteed in the Yorkshire Dales and it’s easy to make the most of them at a luxury country retreat. The lush rolling hills are peppered with a wide range of dreamy places to stay from grand castles and estates to cottages and converted farms. For an added touch of glamour, opt for a spa retreat like Rudding Park and Grantley Hall where its historic stately home meets state-of-the-art spa and wellness facilities. Alternatively, unwind in your own slice of the Dales in a luxury private rental giving you a truer taste of life in rural England. While the Yorkshire Dales call to be explored, the best country retreats will tempt you to stay put and admire the undulating views with a cup of tea from your room or garden instead.
Start planning your trip to York and the Yorkshire Dales
Find out more about the gorgeous places to stay, luxurious places to shop and eat, and adventurous things to do in York and the Yorkshire Dales by getting in touch with our British Isles travel experts today. Whether you’re looking for a quick country escape or an extended stay to experience life in rural Northern England to the full, we can create a bespoke itinerary that captures your imagination. Find out more by sending us a message here.