The Best Parks in Yorkshire
Head out of the city’s historic walls and you'll be met with breath-taking countryside on your doorstep. Yorkshire is known for its rolling green hills and undulating landscape with walks and cycle routes to suit all abilities. Whether it’s the wild and windswept Dales or a quiet and tranquil stroll through one of the Moors’ stone-built villages followed by a hearty pub lunch, you’ll feel a million miles from the buzzing city centre of York. Read on for a round-up of the best parks in Yorkshire.
This stunning national park is home to the brutal Three Peaks challenge. Pen-y-ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside are among the best-known hills in the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the challenge is to cover all three peaks – a total of 24 miles – in 12 hours. If it sounds like a step too far there are plenty of gentler walks to enjoy.
With more than 2,300km of paths and tracks, the North York Moors are a walker’s and cyclist’s paradise. But, if it’s a more leisurely experience you’re after you can travel 18 miles through the atmospheric moorland by steam train from Grosmont to Pickering, passing through Goathland – otherwise known as Aidensfield in the Heartbeat TV series – which also served as a setting for the Harry Potter films.
https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/
The North Yorkshire Coast includes the traditional seaside towns of Scarborough, Whitby, Filey and Bridlington, boasting blue flag beaches, traditional fish and chips and independent shops. Whether you are visiting for the day or making a weekend of it, it’s hard not to fall in love with these old fishing towns. Whitby, in particular, is a must-see as you can follow in the footsteps of Bram Stoker as the town was his inspiration for his classic horror tale Dracula.
www.yorkshire.com/places/yorkshire-coast
If you’re a water enthusiast you’ll be pleased to find this just a short car journey out of York. Challenge yourself with the inflatable obstacle course a la Total Wipeout, or take a dip and go for an open water swim. There is also paddleboarding, kayaking, and sailing to try, or for a more relaxed water experience there’s a fishing lake to enjoy.
MELBOURNE ROAD, ALLERTHORPE, POCKLINGTON, YORK YO42 4RL
www.allerthorpelakelandpark.co.uk
Want to test your mettle? Then head for the tree tops at Dalby Forest, when you can tackle the tunnels and high ropes before taking a giant leap of faith on a 250-metre zip wire. If you prefer to keep your feet firmly on the forest floor you can still take in the sights of the Vale of Pickering on a segway, enabling you to explore the many forest tracks.
LOW DALBY, THORNTON-LE-DALE, PICKERING, NORTH YORKSHIRE YO18 7LT
www.goape.co.uk/days-out/north/dalby
Get in the saddle and explore your new city with the help of two wheels and a knowledgeable guide. Tours start at The Gillygate pub, just a short walk from York Minster, and take riders across the city on cycle paths and designated lanes. Tours take a gentle pace and last for approximately two hours.
48 GILLYGATE, YORK YO31 7EQ
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