It’s no surprise that the Yorkshire area has so many visitors returning to the region year upon year, being home to some of the UK’s most glorious scenery, outstanding historic country houses, chatty locals and unlimited cycling extravaganza. Oh, and they always make a cracking cuppa…
We’ve compiled a list of 5 reasons why you should explore Yorkshire on two wheels…
1. National Parks
Cycling through Yorkshire there is no end of beautiful natural scenery to admire. The Yorkshire Dales National Park boasts picture-postcard views of rolling green hills, dotted with quaint little villages and narrow country lanes lined with dry stone walls. In contrast, you have the wild open moors of the North York Moors National Park which are bursting with colour in late summer when the heather is in bloom. Bring a pair of binoculars and you might spot a bird of prey or golden plover. The lush countryside extends well beyond the boundaries of the National Parks in Yorkshire, and each region has distinct characteristics, such as the rolling chalk hills of the Yorkshire Wolds.
2. Gorgeous Coastline
The east coast of Yorkshire has beautiful and varied seascapes, from the sweeping sandy bays of Scarborough to secluded pebble beaches and dramatic chalk cliffs of Flamborough. Flamborough is also home to one of the most important seabird colonies in Europe with thousands of breeding auks, gannets, gulls and puffins.
Whether you’re riding a loop of the North York Moors, Coast and Abbeys or Yorkshire Wolds, or celebrating the end of your coast-to-coast journey along Way of the Roses, you’ll enjoy a stay in one of the county’s charming seaside towns, including Bridlington and Whitby. It’s the perfect opportunity to devour some fresh fish ‘n’ chips whilst you soak in the sights and sounds of the seaside. You’ll also love exploring the pretty little fishing villages of Filey or Robin Hood’s Bay with its maze of narrow and steep cobbled streets that were once a haven for smugglers!
3. Abbeys, cathedrals and country houses
Yorkshire is home to several impressive abbeys which you can see on your Skedaddle holiday. Fountains Abbey is a World Heritage site and one of the largest and best-preserved medieval monasteries. Nestled in the North York Moors is the equally impressive Rievaulx Abbey. Head northeast and you’ll find Whitby Abbey sitting proudly above the town, overlooking the North Sea. It housed one of the oldest monasteries dating back to the 7th century and was also described in Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, Dracula.
Talking about the architectural highlights of Yorkshire, we can’t omit York Minster! This magnificent medieval cathedral attracts more than 2 million visitors a year and we highly recommend climbing the 275 steps to the very top. If you look at the list of top cities to visit in UK, York will take one of the top spots. With 2,000 years of history, this former capital of Northern England is bursting with things to explore and enjoy – no visit here is complete without a visit to its unmissable gothic cathedral, whilst its historic medieval streets are perfect for souvenir shopping. North of York, you’ll find the spectacular Castle Howard – a grand country house and gardens, which is well worth a day visit if you’re cycling the Yorkshire Wolds. To the east, lies Sledmere, another grand country house known for its walled gardens landscaping designed by Capability Brown.
5. Food…
The food scene in Yorkshire is well and truly bursting with flavours, and some of the best are found in the region’s local cheeses. Wensleydale is perhaps the most famous thanks to the popular animated films of Wallace and Gromit but we highly recommend trying a few others like Yorkshire Blue or Dale End Cheddar in the North York Moors. The most renowned of all the food Yorkshire has to be Yorkshire pudding. There’s just nothing better than a Sunday roast with a Yorkshire pudding (or three!). For those with a taste for impressive and top-quality dishes, the county has a wealth of high-end pubs and restaurants, with more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other region outside of London! We recommend checking out Roots in York. Alternatively, for those just looking for a slab of cake (Parkin cake is a must, trust us!) and a cup of tea after a day’s ride, there’s an abundance of tea rooms scattered across the region which are certainly worth checking out!
5. And booze!
Being one of the UK’s most notorious beer producers for centuries, you certainly won’t struggle to find a locally brewed pint in and around Yorkshire. From pale ales to a plethora of new and flavoursome beers, there’s something for everyone. No matter where you are, you will want to celebrate the end of the day’s ride with a drink and with a raft of tasteful and traditional pubs, Yorkshire is certainly the place to be for a celebratory pint or two!
Feeling inspired? Take a look at our range of cycling trips in Yorkshire to find out the best ways to explore this amazing cycling destination on two wheels.