Top 10 things to do in North Yorkshire
North Yorkshire has two national parks, a medieval walled city, abbey ruins and the seaside at Whitby and Scarborough. It is one of England’s strongest counties for visitors.
- 1
York Minster
📍 YorkHistory, indoorsA vast Gothic cathedral with stained glass and a climbable tower.
- 2
The Shambles
📍 YorkStreet, historyA narrow medieval street of timber-framed buildings.
- 3
Jorvik Viking Centre
📍 YorkHistory, familiesA museum built on a Viking site, with a ride through a reconstructed village.
- 4
National Railway Museum
📍 YorkFree, trainsA free museum of rail history, with royal trains and big locomotives.
- 5
Whitby Abbey
📍 WhitbyHistory, viewsGothic abbey ruins on the cliff above the town, linked to Dracula.
- 6
Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal
📍 Near RiponHistory, gardensThe largest monastic ruin in England, with water gardens and deer park.
- 7
North York Moors
📍 Pickering and HelmsleyWalks, sceneryHeather moorland, valleys and a steam railway through the national park.
- 8
Yorkshire Dales
📍 Grassington and HawesWalks, sceneryLimestone valleys, waterfalls, villages and long walks.
- 9
Castle Howard
📍 Near MaltonHouse, gardensA baroque stately home in a huge estate, famous from Brideshead Revisited.
- 10
Scarborough
📍 ScarboroughSeaside, castleA classic seaside resort with two bays, a castle and an old harbour.
Where to base yourself
Last checked: October 2026.