The Best 12 Things to See and Do in Yorkshire

There’s no end to interesting things to do in Yorkshire, the large county offering a vast variety of both indoor and outdoor activities to keep even the fussiest people entertained. Whether you prefer exploring the great outdoors or visiting exciting museums, here are the twelve best things to see and do in the county.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Art Gallery, Park

Yorkshire Dales National Park
Park

Jorvik Viking Centre

Jorvik Viking Centre
Anyone with an interest in the Vikings – kids or adults – will enjoy the Jorvik Viking experience. Built on the site of one of the most important finds in modern archaeology in the UK, the centre has rebuilt the Viking village with incredible detail, revealing what life would have been like on the streets of York over 1,000 years ago.

Jorvik Viking Centre | © Wikipedia
York Minster
Church

North York Moors National Park
Park

The Hepworth Gallery

The Hepworth Gallery
Named after local sculptor Barbara Hepworth, the Hepworth Gallery is one of the most important centres for contemporary arts in the UK. Part of the Yorkshire Sculpture Triangle, the Hepworth is located close to Yorkshire Sculpture Park, tying in perfectly for a cultured day out. Architecture lovers will be besotted with the dramatic building while art advocates will find plenty to admire inside.

The Hepworth | © Stephen Bowler / Pxhere
Fountains Abbey
Park, Ruins

Fountains Abbey
There are plenty of ancient abbeys to explore and admire in Yorkshire, but if you only have time to visit one, Fountains Abbey is perhaps the most impressive. Located just outside Ripon in West Yorkshire, the ruins of this Cistercian have been remarkably preserved. There is also an attractive water garden and a deer park on the estate, making this the perfect option for a family day out.

Fountains Abbey | © Wikimedia
Flamingo Land
Resort

Flamingo Land
The most exciting theme park in Yorkshire, Flamingo Land is a popular attraction with families. Boasting a zoo and a resort village alongside the traditional theme park attractions, even those that don’t enjoy rides will find something to keep them entertained. Bird lovers will love the conservation project where they can admire the huge flock of flamingos alongside 129 other avian species.

Flamingos | © Chensiyuan / Wikimedia
Skipton Castle
Market

Skipton Castle
The pretty market town of Skipton holds many attractions, such as its lively weekly markets, but it is the medieval Skipton castle that really pulls in the crowds. Incredibly preserved, even after 900 years, the castle is open to the public to explore and experience life as it would have been in medieval times. Anyone claustrophobic may want to miss out the dank dungeons from their tour!

Skipton Castle | © Andy Hay / Wikimedia
National Media Museum
Cinema, Museum

National Media Museum
Bradford may not be on your Yorkshire itinerary, but the National Media Museum definitely should be. This incredible, free-to-enter, contemporary museum offers an interesting insight into the media industry through its seven floors of interactive exhibits. Learn about everything from film to photography and video games, before watching a film at the UK’s first 3D IMAX cinema.

National Media Museum | © Jon Farman / Wikimedia
Peak District National Park
Park

Eureka!
Museum

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
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