5 Places in Yorkshire That You Probably Don't Know About

12/11/2024

Burnsall

After my arrival in the quaint town of Otley from Poland 20 years ago, I quickly fell in love with the picturesque moors and dales, the romantic Bronte Country, and the charming towns — these 5 places are my personal favourites and some might be less known. This is where I take my visitors and where I love to come back time after time.

I might not be a born and bread Yorkshire lass but I'm definitely one at heart!

1. HAWORTH IN BRONTE COUNTRY

Set on a hill, charming and rich in literature history Haworth was once home to the famous Bronte Sisters. You can get there by car or by bus but for anyone wanting to step back in time, hop on a steam train leaving frequently from Keighley Railway Station where you can also leave you car for free if you arrive early enough to find a spot. Return tickets are available from a ticket office near the platform and are £15 for adults and £7.50 for children (5-15) and free for under 5s.

Once in Haworth, there are plenty of unique shops, traditional tea rooms, and even an apothecary! The main attraction is of course the Bronte Museum, the house where the Bronte family lived and the famous books were written. Standard entry tickets are £12.50 and £6.50 for teens. Children under 11 enter for free. Remember this before you postpone your visit for another year and your children get older!

A short walk up from the museum, you can access the romantic moors that were an inspiration to Wuthering Heights, one of the books written by Emily Bronte. There are several benches to sit on and admire the views or have a picnic. You can also decide to have a short walk along the path.

2. BURNSALL AND LINTON FALLS IN YORKSHIRE DALES

One of the most picturesque villages in Wharfedale, Burnsall lies on a bend of the River Wharfe surrounded by a stunning circle of fells. The village was originally an Anglo-Viking settlement and the parish church still contains rare Viking and Anglo-Saxon carved stones which are well-worth a visit.

A small exhibition tells their story inside the church.

Once you get to Burnsall, you can relax by the river with a picnic or grab a bite at one of the local pubs or tea rooms. I have done both after a lovely circular walk to Linton Falls and back, can be cut short if you are with younger children or have limited time. My kids loved playing by the river, paddling, hopping on the stepping stones and of course counting the ever present sheep on the nearby fields! The walk is easy and approx. 5 miles long.

3. CIRCULAR WALK NEAR HAREWOOD HOUSE

This is probably the least known place out of all my choices here but quite popular with the locals. It is a fairly easy 6 mile walk that will take about 2- 2.5h depending on your ability, we even did it with an all-terrain buggy once and on bikes too. Close to the end you can relax with a cup of tea or coffee and a yummy cake or lunch at the Muddy Boots Cafe!

To start the walk you can either go from a little car park on Wike Lane, just off Harrogate Road (53.883431, -1.506435) and opposite Lofthouse Lodge and return there or you can park near the Muddy Boots Cafe (LS17 9LJ) and start and finish there. Remember to go through the 'secret' door set in a stone wall once on the main road near Harewood House (pictured).

I love this walk because it in a beautiful place, near Harewood House that can be spotted from a distance but you don't have to pay to go in and enjoy the scenery :-). Often, you can spot a herd of deer, and there are several benches along the path for resting your feet. The scenery is diverse, ensuring the walk never feels dull.

4. KNARESBOROUGH AND MOTHER SHIPTON'S CAVE

If you are looking for a charming and historic town in Yorkshire, Knaresborough could be the perfect spot for you and it definitely is for me. Knaresborough is known for its medieval castle ruins, which offer breathtaking views of the River Nidd and the surrounding countryside.

Knaresborough has a lively market place, where you can browse local crafts, antiques, and delicacies and eat delicious food at one of the many cafes and tea rooms. You can also enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the river, or a scenic walk along the Nidd Gorge. Knaresborough is a town that combines heritage, nature, and culture in a delightful way.

You can also pay a visit to the Courthouse Museum, where you can learn about the town's fascinating history and legends, such as the prophetess Mother Shipton and the mysterious petrifying well. Mother Shipton's Cave in Knaresborough is England's Oldest Tourist Attraction, open since 1630, and is also the legendary birthplace of England's most famous prophetess. The small cave where she was born tells the story of her life and legacy, alongside the unique geological phenomenon of the petrifying well. The attraction also offers something for all ages, with events during the school holidays and plenty of magic and wonder to discover as you wander through the ancient forest. The current events include a Winter Woodland Walk and a Christmas Experience with Santa.

After one visit you will definitely want to come back to this magical place. I sure have and not once but several times!

5. ST. IVES COUNTRY PARK IN BINGLEY

One of my favourite parks in Yorkshire and quite local for us is St. Ives Country Park. It's not only great for families with young children but for people of all ages. There is a fantastic and large adventure forest playground with unique equipment for younger and older children and plenty of benches for a picnic.

For the nature lovers, it's a wildlife heaven with a mix of wooded areas, pine plantations, meadows, moorland and ponds. For the casual walkers, there are many paths crisscrossing the estate, making it very dog-friendly. The estate is also the home to a golf course, an archery, an equestrian centre, a café – The Ivy Kitchen – and many picnic areas. It's a very popular place but doesn't feel crowded due to its size.

Honestly, I don't even remember how many times we visited there, but must have been over a dozen and we will come back for sure!

I hope you enjoyed reading about my top 5 places in Yorkshire and if you decide to go and visit any of them, please let me know in the comments below or send me a message!