A Guide to the County of Yorkshire, Naturally
Yorkshire is one of England’s largest counties, divided into three parts: West Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and North Yorkshire. It’s home to two national parks, and a stunning wild coast, on the North Sea.
It’s pretty cold in these parts, so bring an extra jumper! You’ll find the weather wild and wet, but it’s still abundant with heather moors and lots of birds and wildlife, who don’t seem to mind!
If out walking, always follow the Countryside Code to keep all creatures safe. If at the coast, read about how to keep dogs safe by the seaside.
The Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors
These are two of England’s National Parks.
The Yorkshire Dales is home to stone-built villages and dramatic waterfalls, and heather moorland that stretches into Lancashire and Cumbria. It’s home to 100 species of nesting birds, 30 species of mammals, 25 species of butterflies, 1000 species of moth and a unique moss not found elsewhere. And the brown long-eared bat (his ears much longer than his body!)
The North York Moors contain pine forests and summer purple heather, that cover 44,000 acres, home to ground-nesting birds like golden plovers and merlins. And home to many ancient trees.
River Wharfe: Yorkshire’s Historic Waterway
River Wharfe (read this book by your friendly expert guide!) winds for 65 miles through the heart of Yorkshire. It begins in the village of Buckden, then flows through beautiful countryside, before joining the River Ouse.
The river is home to otters, kingfishers and herons, looking for fish. Rare wildflowers and mosses thrive on this river’s limestone edges.
Stay away from The Strid, a dangerous gorge where the river is forced through a gap of 12 feet. With underwater caverns, it has 100% mortality rate, for anyone who falls in. The water can rise 5 feet in minutes, and never increases in temperature, even in summer.
Yorkshire’s Historic Seaside Resorts
East Yorkshire sits on the North Sea, and has quite a few seaside resorts.
The small village of Robin Hood’s Bay (old cottages look over a windswept harbour) is where you paddle your toes, to mark the end of Wainwright’s Coast-to-Coast Walk, which begins in St Bees (Cumbria).
The oldest seaside resort in England is Scarborough (when local resident Elizabeth Farrow stumbled upon the healing waters of a local stream in 1626.
Other popular seaside resorts are Whitby (climb the 199 steps that lead up to the abbey), Saltburn-by-the-Sea (home to England’s oldest funicular railway) and Bridlington (popular with wild swimmers).
Hebden Bridge: A Unique Hill Town in West Yorkshire
Hebden Bridge is a unique hill town in West Yorkshire that (along with Whitstable in Kent) has more independent shops than anywhere in England. This hilly town used to have so many textile mills that it was called ‘trouser town!’ Many writers and artists make here their home.
Discover The Characterful Cities of Yorkshire
Leeds features Roundhay Park (one of England’s biggest), York is beautiful city with cobbled streets and a Gothic cathedral and Sheffield (with a steel heritage) is near the Peak District National Park.
Bradford is ‘the curry capital of England!, and Kingston upon Hull is full of winding streets and historic pubs, sitting on the Humber Estuary.
Smaller cities include Wakefield (near the Pennines), Doncaster (a lively market) and Ripon (Yorkshire’s smallest city, with a 7th century cathedral).
Home to Simon Armitage (the poet Laureate)
England’s Poet Laureate hails from Yorkshire, and still lives there. Simon Armitage began his career as a probation officer, and now writes poetry and (and has been poet-in-residence for several universities).
Surprisingly, he lost on his chosen subject of the poetry of Ted Hughes, when appearing on Celebrity Mastermind, losing out to someone who answered questions on a soap opera. He joked ‘I’m not bitter, but next time I’ll choose the specialist subject of ‘what I watched on telly last night!’
Read his poetry volumes Dwell (inspired by animal homes from a squirrel’s drey to a beaver’s lodge) and Blossomise (on spring blossom and orchards).
The Home of Yorkshire Puddings
Yorkshire puddings are of course enjoyed by everyone, but born here! Ella’s Instant Yorkshire Pudding Mix is sold in a brown paper bag, just add oat milk and a little oil (20p from each sale goes to animal rescue).
