A guide to spring in yorkshire
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Welcome to our guide to spring in Yorkshire. This time of year is when things literally spring into life - and Yorkshire is the perfect place to be. It’s when we’re all ready to get back out there, stretch our legs and begin to explore the great outdoors. This year we are hosting one of the world’s biggest ever sporting events. The Grand Départ of the Tour de France is just weeks away, and spring is the time that the excitement will really start to build. We hope this guide gives you some ideas of things to do and inspiration for places to see. Now is the time to spring into action and into Yorkshire.
Cover image: Daffodils in bloom at Clifford’s Tower in York.
Gary Verity Chief Executive, Welcome to Yorkshire
Whether you love the city, coast or country there’s always a great part of Yorkshire’s heritage to explore. Clifford’s Tower in the heart of bustling York contrasts with the rural serenity of Rievaulx Abbey in North Yorkshire and the dramatic setting of iconic Whitby Abbey perched on cliffs at the coast. There’s always a new story to discover in Yorkshire, home of great castles, abbeys and country houses. Liz Page Historic Properties Director North English Heritage
GREAT UPS AND DOWNS If you’re looking for adventure on the rocks, or even under the rocks, it’s all here. There are climbs, caves and challenges for everyone from beginners to experts. Some of the UK’s best limestone sport climbing and gritstone bouldering can be found in Yorkshire.
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Climbing in Yorkshire is not only a great way to test your skill and nerve, it’s also an amazing way to see our stunning county from a whole new perspective. Serious climbers will love Malham Cove and nearby Gordale Scar. The magnificent steep Kilnsey Crag, the ravine of Trow Gill, Giggleswick and Robin Proctor’s Scar are also must-scale faces. Castleberg Crag, above Settle is also well worth a climb, with 24 fully bolted routes and Rivelin Crag near Sheffield boasts the Rivelin Needle, a 20 metre high free standing gritstone pinnacle. If you’re looking for everything in one place, try Almscliff Crag, it has over 180 climbs and world-class bouldering all packed on to one hillside. Heptonstall Quarry in West Yorkshire is known locally as Hell Hole; it’s a big, sunny, west facing gritstone quarry, well known for the wide variety of climbing available and a favourite for evening climbing as it gets the late sun. For an expert guided private or group session in rock climbing, abseiling and lots of other activities, try Lost Earth Adventures based in York or Alfresco Adventures based in the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
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For that indoor adventure, access 6,000 sq feet of indoor bouldering with a competition wall, large roof, over-hangs and prows to keep the most aggressive of climbers happy at the Red Goat Climbing Company in York or try your luck at the biggest climbing wall in Yorkshire at ROKT Climbing Gym in Brighouse. The Yorkshire Dales are famous for their rich caving opportunities and you don’t have to go far to discover a labyrinth of cave systems and potholes. An unmistakable landmark in the county is Gaping Gill on the southern slopes of Ingleborough, with a main shaft descending 105m, and the tallest unbroken waterfall in England. It’s on every caver’s must-do list. You don’t need to be an expert potholer to experience Yorkshire’s extensive cave systems and caverns. Visit one of these show caves instead: White Scar Cave is Britain’s longest show cave, a spectacular, natural cave in the Dales with the massive 200,000-year-old Battlefield Cavern or explore the natural dry stream passage and fantastic geological formations at Stump Cross Caverns near Pateley Bridge.
A Head for Heights Yorkshire’s outdoors look even greater from above, not to mention exhilarating too. So if you’ve got a head for heights, this is the perfect place to soar, loop, glide or simply float. With the spirit of adventure around every turn, it’s no surprise that some of the UK’s best hang gliding, skydiving and paragliding launching areas are here. Gliders and microlights are a familiar sight in our skies. At the Yorkshire Gliding Club you can enjoy the amazing experience of flying over the North York Moors National Park and in East Yorkshire, the Wolds Gliding Club offer a range of different flights to suit everyone. The valleys, peaks and crags of Marsden Moor in West Yorkshire are a natural airsports magnet. Enjoy kite flying and model flying at their most extreme from Buckstones car park. This dramatic location, with its magnificent views and drop-off, also makes it an ideal paragliding and hang gliding jump-off point, where you’ll soon be cruising the heights above beautiful moorland. Kite flying is also a popular leisure pursuit in the sky around
Clockwise from top left: Walking on the dramatic limestone pavement in the Yorkshire Dales. Thousands of stalactites at White Scar Cave. The Yorkshire Gliding Club in action above the White Horse of Kilburn. Fantastic rock climbing in the Peak District.
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Castle Hill near Huddersfield, from the top of Hawnby Hill in the North York Moors and at Lotherton Hall and Temple Newsam plus many other locations across the county.
Outstanding Natural Beauty Discover these protected areas of high scenic quality which are conserved to enhance the natural beauty of their landscapes. The Howardian Hills is an unusual land form shaped on Jurassic limestone, with a tapestry of rolling hills, arable fields, pasture and woodland. In Nidderdale, enjoy the stunning moorland scenery, a variety of lush green meadows and the long majestic dale of the River Nidd. The Forest of Bowland is internationally important for its heather moorland, blanket bog and rare birds, with a small area of North Yorkshire lying within its boundaries.
Top to bottom: Gaping Gill. Walking on Marsden Moor. Visitors exploring Brimham Rocks in Nidderdale.
Yorkshire has even more perfect places to get close to nature. The Yorkshire Wolds offers low, rolling hills rising from the River Humber and ending with the dramatic cliffs of Flamborough Head and Bempton. From the Peak District to Brontë Country, discover open moorland, wooded valleys and a strong industrial heritage in Pennine Yorkshire. Enjoy wildlife and sample geology in protected surrounds at Yorkshire’s National Nature Reserves. Highlights include Malham Tarn and the limestone pavements and Ingleborough.
©National Trust Images/Paul Harris
The Hole of Horcum is one of the most spectacular features in the North York Moors National Park – a huge natural amphitheatre 400 feet deep and more than half a mile across. Legends hang easily upon a place known as the ‘Devil’s Punchbowl’, with the best-known saying that it was formed when Wade the Giant scooped up a handful of earth to throw at his wife during an argument.
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From the weird and wonderful formations at Brimham Rocks in Nidderdale and the Bridestones at Dalby Forest, to landmark features such as the Cow and Calf Rocks in Ilkley, boring is never an option. The beautiful wooded valley of Hardcastle Crags has 19th century Gibson Mill at its heart, and as well as being the home of the northern hairy wood ant, there are tumbling streams and glorious waterfalls to explore.
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©Joolz Diamond - Dalby Bike Barn
Clockwise from left: Cycling in Dalby. Puffins at Bempton Cliffs. Family days out in East Yorkshire.
At Marsden Moor Estate, start by visiting Pule Hill, an impressive rocky outcrop offering incredible 360 degree views over much of the estate. Eastergate Bridge, meanwhile, is an ancient monument dating back to the 17th century that lies on the edge of the moorland, at the confluence of two streams. With so much outside space, Yorkshire is the perfect place to have a real outdoor adventure this spring.
Wildlife havens Spring bursts into life along the coast with the arrival of tens of thousands of seabirds to the colonies along the cliffs of the Flamborough Headland. Wetlands come alive with amphibians, and warblers and along the waterways it’s still easier to see otters and water voles before the vegetation grows too abundant. The last remaining freshwater marsh of any size in the area, Filey Dams is a magnet for migratory birds but is also a haven for plants, small mammals and amphibians. Wildlife is waking up wherever you look. The cliffs of the coast are a haven for puffins, gannets and all manner of sealife and at
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RSPB Bempton Cliffs, you are guaranteed grandstand views as an amazing wildlife story unfolds in front of you. From Blacka Moor on the edge of the Peak District on Sheffield’s south-western fringe to Sunnybank in the very centre of the city, Sheffield Wildlife Trust’s nature reserves are well worth a visit this spring. Enjoy 13 hectares of nature reserve and the many walks along woodland paths at Jerusalem Farm and Wade Wood near Halifax, which has The Calderdale Way passing right by the site. Look out for the birds at Scammonden Reservoir, who can easily nest in the tree cover. Spend some time discovering over 8,000 acres of woodland at Dalby Forest on the southern slopes of the North York Moors, which is home to many species of wildlife such as badgers, roe deer and nightjars. Spring is the best time of the year to see lapwing mating displays all over the Moors and hear its distinctive call and see its spectacular acrobatics in the sky. Go on a National Park Safari with Yorkshire Coast Nature; spring is a good time to find adders, goshawks and migrant birds in the forest and the moors of the National Park.
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Top to bottom: Holmfirth Folk Festival. Footpath near Farnley Tyas in Pennine Yorkshire. Afternoon tea in Holmfirth.
VISIT HOLMFIRTH & MARSDEN Visit Holmfirth and Marsden on the edge of the Peak District National Park and be prepared to fall in love with some of the most breathtaking landscapes this country has to offer. You’ll find the area buzzing with the prospect of welcoming the Grand Départ riders in July. Take a drive or cycle up Holme Moss to put yourself where the cyclists will be fighting to claim King of the Mountain points. May and June are the perfect months to discover Holmfirth with music, art, comedy, theatre, literature and inspiring things to do at the Holmfirth Arts Festival and Holmfirth Film Festival. Holmfirth Art Market is a great opportunity to view and buy the work of local artists. Plan a family day to Standedge Tunnel and Visitor Centre and take a boat trip into Britain’s highest, longest, deepest canal tunnel, or learn traditional crafts at the Colne Valley Museum. Put a spring in your step with a luxurious treatment and revitalising heat experience at Titanic Spa, and then head off to National Trust Marsden Moor Estate, where 5,600 acres of open land wait to be explored. Download a brochure and find out more at www.visithuddersfield.com or call 01484 222444. 10
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A MAGICAL FLORAL SPECTACLE
As spring gets into its stride, one of the UK’s most breathtaking natural spectacles is unfolding within woodlands across Yorkshire, with bluebells literally bursting in to life. Spring flowers cheer us up after we’ve survived the long winter!
Bluebells spend most of the year as bulbs underground in ancient woodlands, only emerging to flower and leaf from April onwards when they create an unearthly blue haze through the woodlands. Yorkshire has many sites where you can smell their sweet perfume. They are an undisputed spring highlight at both North Dean Woods in Greetland and at Hardscastle Crags. Over in Middleton Woods near Ilkley, you’ll find an abundance of these brightly coloured spring flowers and an attractive contrast with the fresh spring foliage colours of the mature woods. Its unbroken sheets of blue make a brilliant display at Honley Woods, near Huddersfield or over in one of the biggest city parks in Europe, Roundhay Park in Leeds, you can gaze in awe at the great crops of crocus in spring, followed by daffodils and bluebells.
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Clockwise from top left: Thorp Perrow bluebells. Riccal Dale near Helmsley. Daffodils at Clifford’s Tower. Castle Howard bluebells. The Strid Wood and the Bolton Abbey Estate. Magnificent Castle Howard.
Heading on to South Yorkshire, Woolley Wood near Sheffield is a 34 hectare local nature reserve with a sloped south-western side of Blackburn Brook Valley, and attractive display of bluebells and other wildflowers each spring. With their striking yellow displays, daffodils are true heralds of spring. Enjoy a classic spring walk in the so-called ‘Daffodil Dale’ to see Farndale’s glorious wild daffodils. It’s a straightforward 3½ mile linear route alongside the enchanting River Dove. Depending on the weather, the daffodils are usually out between mid-March and mid-April, but this is a charming walk at any time of year; however, lesser known may be the bluebell spectacles at nearby Riccal Dale near Helmsley or the Pretty Wood near Welburn. Springtime is celebrated in York by a magnificent display of daffodils at Clifford’s Tower and on the Bar Walls. In East
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Yorkshire, visitors will find clouds of daffodils in the walled garden at Burton Agnes Hall, near Driffield. Take to the boards on a 2-mile linear route through the strikingly beautiful woods of Forge Valley, a national nature reserve in the North York Moors National Park. It’s a joy to walk at any time of year and in the spring, you’ll find yourself overwhelmed with great swathes of pungent wild garlic and delightful wood anemone. The ancient woodland at The Strid Wood at Bolton Abbey is one of the largest areas of acidic oak woodland in the Yorkshire Dales. It is renowned for the flora and fauna, and particularly the carpets of bluebells in spring. Yorkshire’s spring flowers definitely put an end to those dark winter days and bring a welcome splash of colour to our many woodlands, parks and gardens across the county.
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have GREAT DAYS OUT in barnsley
Barnsley is bursting with fascinating places to explore and things to do this spring. Home to some stunning attractions, you can get off the beaten track and experience some of Yorkshire’s real hidden gems.
Left to right: Beautiful gardens at Wentworth. Fun for kids at Cannon Hall Farm. Tea and cake at The Pantry at Elsecar. Worsborough Mill.
Something For Everyone With an abundance of art, craft and antiques shops as well as local produce and tea rooms, complete with indoor children’s play area and a working steam railway, Elsecar Heritage Centre really does have something for everyone. For action packed fun with the children, why not try Calypso Cove water park, go wild at RSPB Old Moor or meet the animals at Cannon Hall Farm?
Location Barnsley is easy to get to, located just between Sheffield and Leeds. All the attractions are just minutes from the M1. Or why not take the train? You can easily reach attractions such as Penistone, Elsecar and Barnsley town centre’s amazing markets using local rail stations. If you’re feeling energetic, you can reach a whole raft of attractions by bike or even on horseback via the Trans Pennine Trail.
Win a weekend in Barnsley
Hidden Gems The Gardens at Wentworth are the only Grade 1 listed gardens in South Yorkshire and were historically designed to be at their very best in spring. The Georgian Country House at Cannon Hall reopens to visitors this April after extensive refurbishment. Complete with 70 acres of beautiful historic parkland, walled garden and its very own Fairyland, you may be surprised to know that it is still free to enter. Another of Yorkshire’s best kept secrets can be found at Worsbrough Mill, where you will find a 17th century working watermill, set in 240 acres of tranquil parkland. Organic flour from the mill is sold on site and in high-end farm shops up and down the country, and used by the Miller’s tea room to bake the best cakes for miles around.
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For a chance to win either a family or a couple’s weekend break package to Barnsley, Yorkshire, visit www.vist-barnsley. com/competition. Both prizes include hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis, free entry to some of the best attractions around, plus free lunch, dinner and afternoon tea for the lucky winners. Terms and conditions apply.
HAPPY HUNTING Those cheeky new born lambs are now out in full force bouncing around the hills, so it means Easter is here! As you’d expect, there’s loads happening in Yorkshire so have a look at what’s on and make sure you have a brilliant Yorkshire.
Left to right: Hunting for eggs at Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. The Easter Bunny at Brodsworth Hall. The Enchanted Forest at Stockeld Park. Feeding the spring lambs.
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The whole family will have a great time on Easter egg hunts at Burton Agnes Hall and its woodland walk, and at the Great Studfold Easter Egg Hunt in North Yorkshire. Go along to find the willow nests and brightly coloured eggs; pick up a clue sheet, find the nests, name the birds and win an Easter surprise! At Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, children will have great fun on the Easter Egg Hunt around the stations on the line! Try a break with a difference and stay on a working farm during lambing time at Lovesome Hill Farm in Northallerton. Bring your wellies and work alongside the owner. After a comfortable night’s sleep you will start your day with a hearty cooked breakfast, before feeding the sheep outside and watching out for any lambing!
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Can you crush an egg in your hand? How do you know if an egg is boiled? Is your egg fresh? Come and enjoy a day of science activities inspired by eggs at Abbey House Museum’s Silly Science Eggsperiments. Whilst in Leeds, decorate your egg or bring one from home and then take part in a traditional egg roll at the Annual Egg Roll at Leeds City Museum. Enjoy Easter at Bolton Castle, near Leyburn, with eggciting Easter egg hunts, eggstravagant egg decorating and bonnet making, whilst, at Kirklees Light Railway, it’s all aboard the Easter eggspress! Cheer on Woolly Jumper, Sheargar and Red Ram at Castle Howard’s ‘Lamb National’ this Easter. The racing sheep will battle it out along a course of brightly coloured jumps in an entertaining and thrilling display. The Moors
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National Park Centre has a jam-packed events programme over the Easter holiday including an Easter Trail, Easter Crafts, Build a Bird’s Nest, Feed the Birds, GPS Treasure Hunts and Teddy Bears’ Picnics, the choice is yours! Nestled within ancient woodland and perfectly situated between Harrogate and Leeds, Stockeld Park hosts its first Easter Adventure. Practice your skills on the roller rink, explore the Enchanted Forest or even get lost in the huge maze! It’s said to be the oldest drama in the world, dating back to ancient Egypt and now the Pace Egg Play is confined largely to the Calder Valley where it has become an established tradition, played out in all its gory glory on Good Friday. See St George take on contenders such as Bold Slasher, the Black Prince of Paradine and Hector.
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EXPLORE & INSPIRE In Yorkshire, there’s always something to see or do with English Heritage. We have 18 different historic properties in some of the most stunning locations for you to enjoy including coastal castles, moorland abbeys and grand countryside estates, each uniquely different. So here are some suggestions for days out that are sure to go down in history.
Richmond Castle
Yorkshire Coast Head for the coast to the iconic ruins of Whitby Abbey and see why generations have been drawn to this dramatic headline with its fabulous views. Discover the Abbey’s fascinating history in our visitor centre and audio guide. Alternatively, why build sandcastles on the beach when you can climb the battlements of a real one at Scarborough Castle.
Yorkshire Moors Explore Rievaulx Abbey, one of the most tranquil sites in Yorkshire, and discover why it was described as ‘everywhere peace, everywhere serenity’. From Rievaulx follow
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Conisbrough Castle
Rievaulx Abbey
Rievaulx Abbey
in the footsteps of medieval pilgrims along the Cleveland Way Trail to Helmsley Castle (3 miles) and discover how castle life evolved with our audio guide.
York Enjoy some of the best views of York combined with almost 950 years of history with a visit to Clifford’s Tower. Open all year round and situated in the historical Eye of York, no trip to the city would be complete without a visit.
South Yorkshire
The magnificent Brodsworth Hall
spring telling the story of the castle which was one of the inspirations for Sir Walter Scott’s novel ‘Ivanhoe’.
Discover more With English Heritage annual membership you can explore over 400 historic sites in England, plus get free or discounted entry to hundreds of events all year round. or more information on events, F admission and open times, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk/yorkshire
There has never been a better time to visit South Yorkshire. A brand new visitor centre will offer a first class welcome at the magnificent Brodsworth Hall. While a Heritage Lottery funded redevelopment at Conisbrough Castle will open later this
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UNMISSABLE ATTRACTIONS Yorkshire is home to some fantastic places that will inspire great days out for all ages. With plenty to keep children (and adults) entertained, get out and about in Yorkshire and start making memories of a lifetime.
FLAMINGO LAND, MALTON Discover extreme rides, family attractions, live shows and a fantastic zoo.
JORVIK VIKING CENTRE, YORK Journey though the reconstruction of Viking Age streets as they would have looked 1,000 years ago.
The Deep, Hull One of the most spectacular aquariums in the world and is home to a whopping 3,500 fish. Spring 2014 sees the arrival of a colony of Gentoo Penguins.
Revealing York Minster
The Forbidden Corner, Leyburn
A network of new interactive galleries which tells the colourful story of York Minster.
A unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises created within a four acre garden.
Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield An open-air gallery showing work by UK and international artists, including Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. In the open air, children are free to run around, making the most of the 500 acres of historic parkland.
Cannon Hall Farm, Barnsley Home to hundreds of animals, including cute piglets. The farm has one of the biggest and best equipped playgrounds in the north of England and the largest tube maze in Europe.
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International Centre for Birds of Prey, Duncombe PARK
LIGHTWATER VALLEY, RIPON Bursting with 175 acres of action-packed adventures with over 40 rides and attractions for thrill seekers of all ages. Take on the challenge of The Ultimate, Europe’s longest roller coaster.
Sewerby Hall & Gardens, Driffield Introduce your children to an exciting world of animals at Sewerby Zoo. The adventure playground has an enticing nautical theme with an appeal for children of all ages.
Royal Armouries, Leeds There are over 8,500 objects on display in five galleries: War, Tournament, Oriental, Self Defence and Hunting. Visit the newly refurbished Tournament Gallery and experience the might of Henry VIII – king and sportsman.
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ROTUNDA MUSEUM, SCARBOROUGH The Dinosaur Coast Gallery offers bright, colourful and family-friendly hands-on experience of our coastline and its treasures.
The largest collection of birds of prey in the north of England. Housing birds from the tiny Burrowing Owl to the gigantic Steller’s Sea Eagle.
RIPLEY CASTLE 700-year-old castle steeped in history with magnificent grounds, lakes, Deer Park, Walled Gardens, Hothouses and Kitchen Garden.
KEIGHLEY & WORTH VALLEY RAILWAY Step back in time on The Railway Children’s Railway and enjoy a steam filled action packed day out!
Eureka! The National Children’s Museum, Halifax Explore hundreds of interactive, hands-on exhibits designed to inspire children to learn about themselves and the world around them.
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10 THINGS TO DO WITH THE KIDS THIS SPRING Swing through the trees Conquer your fear of heights. Make a trip to Go Ape! with their new ‘Tree Top Junior’ course opening this Easter, a fun filled experience of canopy exploring, trail blazing and obstacles. Young Tarzans, from the age of six (or anyone over one metre tall) can now join in the fun.
Visit an exciting theme park Yorkshire’s theme parks offer a great day out for the whole family. Escape to Lightwater Valley near Ripon and discover the excitement of a day bursting with thrills, chills and adventure. Don’t forget that Senior Citizens (over 60s) go free this spring! At Flamingo Land Resort near Malton, you can discover The Lost Kingdom’s vast African plains, the clear blue skies of Swoosh! and the wet and wacky world of Splosh!
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Battle it out Yorkshire’s military heritage sites lead the rest of the country in staging live events at historic abbeys, castles, houses and gardens. You’ll see the latest and best re-enactments in Yorkshire. The aim of these live events at heritage sites is to give everyone a really fun day out, whilst learning a little more about how our ancestors lived. For something a little different, experience the excitement and spectacle of knights jousting in full armour at the Royal Armouries in Leeds.
Taste some of our yummy food After all that running around leave room for a yummy dessert. The prospect of a tantrum erupting over an uninspiring plate of food is enough to terrify any parent. Add to that scenario, cramped eating quarters, a lack of highchairs and no suitable baby-changing facilities and your dining experiences could well turn into a nightmare. Thankfully, Yorkshire doesn’t have that problem. There are restaurants and cafés that have taken the time and effort to consider a parent’s needs and have successfully combined great ‘grown-up’ food, with well thought out facilities and refreshing kids’ menus.
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Discover a fantastic nature walk
Visit the zoo or wildlife park
Get your boots on and come and enjoy some of our wonderful walks and trails through the finest woodland, parks and countryside. You can give the children a list of items to search for such as bird nests, rocks, insects and animals.
This is sure to be a hit with kids! Children love looking at animals and the spring season is the perfect time to visit Yorkshire’s many animal attractions.
ŠNational Trust Images/Joe Cornish
The Yorkshire Nature Triangle is a great place to start your wild adventure, bounded by the east coast from Filey Brigg in North Yorkshire, to Spurn Point; by North Cave, the Wolds and the River Hull catchment to the west; and by the Humber estuary to the south.
You can choose from a wild family day out at Meercat Mansion at the Tropical Butterfly House between Sheffield and Rotherham, a walk on the wild side meeting farm and exotic animals from around the world at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park near Doncaster, you can take an alpaca for a walk at Beacon Alpacas near Thirsk or enjoy the thrill and excitement of falconry at SMJ Falconry in Oxenhope, West Yorkshire.
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Enjoy a journey on two wheels Quiet country roads, byways and a network of cycle paths, there’s a lot to see and do, so get on your bike and discover Yorkshire from your saddle. Enjoy the flat routes along the Spen Valley Greenway in West Yorkshire, check out the fabulous new Sutton Bank Bikes and a great family cycle route along Sutton Bank or get your bike into gear at the new improved Ellerburn Trail in Dalby Forest, launching this Easter.
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Bring amazing history to life We have some amazing days out at historic houses, gardens, castles, minsters and abbeys so while you can take in the history and amazing sights, the children can run around and explore. Fascinating, memorable and entertaining - come to Yorkshire and be inspired.
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Make a splash and go rockpooling Grab a net and explore the many rock pools that appear when the tide goes out in Robin Hood’s Bay. You can spend hours exploring and searching for all manner of marine life left behind by the retreating sea, or at nearby Sandsend you’ll find an abundance of rockpools and fossils to explore. The white chalk boulders at Flamborough Head create a rockpooling paradise for all manner of marine creatures and on a low tide a fantastic kelp forest is exposed.
So much, so near, so different... Kids will love the amazing variety of Yorkshire attractions. Get hands on at Eureka! The National Children’s Museum in Halifax, with hundreds of exhibitions to ignite their imaginations. Take the family to the Metrodome Leisure Complex in Barnsley and enjoy a great day out at the Calypso Cove waterpark. Open your mind and prepare yourself for a voyage of discovery... a hands-on, feet-in, full-on day out at Magna, the UK’s first Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham. More family fun can be found at the Hepworth Wakefield, where there is a family trail to help explore the galleries and at Bondville Model Village in Sewerby near Bridlington where kids can explore over 1,000 handmade and painted character figures. This is just a taster of the wide variety of family attractions in Yorkshire. For more ideas and inspiration go to www.yorkshire.com/familyfun
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Clockwise from top left: Brodsworth Hall. Castle Howard. Ripley Castle. Scampston Walled Garden. Sheffield Winter Garden. RHS Garden Harlow Carr. The lake at Castle Howard. Harewood House. Yorkshire Lavender.
DISCOVER BLOOMING MARVELLOUS GARDENS
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One of Yorkshire’s hidden gems, set within half a mile of the tranquil Wolds Way Walk is Wolds Way Lavender. The lavender and herb farm has over seven acres of lavender planted, from richest hues of purple to purest white. Another favourite is Yorkshire Lavender, a multi-award winning Lavender Farm, Lavender Gardens and Specialist Plant Nursery set in a spectacular hillside farm of nearly 60 acres, within the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If you want to see how a Victorian country garden grows, pay a visit to Brodsworth Hall and witness a riot of seasonal colour. The Winter Garden in Sheffield have over
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2,500 plants from around the world and this giant temperate glasshouse is large enough to house 5,000 domestic greenhouses! At Ripley Castle this spring, you can appreciate 150,000 flowering bulbs which create a blaze of colour through the woodland walks and also the National Hyacinth Collection whose scent is breathtaking. Rievaulx Terrace is one of Yorkshire’s finest 18th century landscape gardens, containing two temples. Stroll through woods, then out on to the terrace, with its stunning views down over the Cistercian ruin of Rievaulx Abbey. In spring the bank between the temples is awash with wild flowers.
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Clockwise from top left: Lotherton Estate and Gardens. Ripley Castle Gardens in the sunshine. The beautiful, award winning gardens of Burton Agnes Hall. Newby Hall. Rievaulx Terrace.
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The stunning gardens at Castle Howard are worthy of any dramatic movie script and prove a big hit with visitors. There are plenty of walks through woodland, along terraces or beside water, with interesting temples and follies to admire along the way. At the Yorkshire Arboretum, you can walk around the 120 acre garden of trees from around the world set in a stunning landscape of parkland, lakes and ponds on the Castle Howard Estate. The award winning Dutch designer Piet Oudolf, one of the leading figures in a movement known as ‘new wave planting’ was brought in to Scampston Walled Garden near Malton, to make the garden flow seamlessly without looking like any effort has been made. Over to the coast and Filey prides itself on award winning parks and gardens. Stroll through the Crescent Gardens as you take in the stunning views across the bay.
The most famous English landscape designer, Capability Brown, landscaped the grounds at Harewood House and Newby Hall and the park at Burton Constable Hall. Explore the Royal Horticultural Society’s Harlow Carr Gardens at Harrogate, a glorious 58-acre spread of award winning model gardens, the formal Edwardian gardens at Lotherton Estate and Gardens, the one acre garden of York Gate in Adel near Leeds with its smaller garden ‘rooms’, or the wonderful Burnby Hall Gardens, often claimed to be “a jewel in Yorkshire’s Crown”. Explore the beautiful sunken garden at Manor Heath Park in Halifax, the springtime clematis at East Riddlesden Hall near Keighley, and in Beaumont Park on the edge of Huddersfield, you will find a magnificent park with ornate features, cascades, grottos, steep cliffs and picturesque woodland walks for all the family.
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HERE COMES LE TOUR 5th & 6th July 2014
Go to www.letouryorkshire.com to find out more.
DISCOVER A WORLD OF HISTORY Yorkshire has a fascinating tale to tell. It’s a story of war and peace, saints and sinners, romance and heroism. Our wonderful grand houses and majestic castles evoke Yorkshire’s rich heritage and the sheer quantity of sites means you are never far from a spine-tingling historic experience. Visitors are invited to indulge their curiosity by touring a range of historic properties.
Clockwise from top left: Cusworth Hall near Doncaster. Discover gruesome history at Helmsley Castle. Oakwell Hall. Bolton Castle. Newby Hall in full bloom. Fun in the grounds of Skipton Castle.
Grand Houses Step back in time and savour the poignant atmosphere of Yorkshire’s many fine historic houses just waiting to unfold their history. Brodsworth Hall and Gardens were designed in the Italianate style and decorated and furnished in the opulent fashion of the 1860s. Newby Hall and Gardens in Ripon has one of Britain’s finest Adam interiors with Chippendale furniture, Gobelin tapestries and a contemporary sculpture park. Cannon Hall in Barnsley is a fine example of a grand stately home that was developed to its grand proportions through the riches gained by a family in the 18th century. The family in question was the Spencer family, who gained their wealth in the iron and coal industry of South Yorkshire. Staying in South Yorkshire, Cusworth Hall, Museum & Park is described as the jewel in Doncaster’s crown; a beautiful Grade I listed 18th century country house in acres of historic parkland.
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East Yorkshire’s Burton Agnes Hall is a beautiful example of Elizabethan architecture. Explore the family’s treasures including an Impressionist art collection, then wander through topiaries and lawns to discover the old walled garden. Shibden Hall & Estate in Halifax, set in 37 hectares, is a six hundred year old medieval timber-framed manor house. This Grade II listed 15th century house is one of England’s oldest. Grand families still live in the great houses and stately homes; the Ingilby family at Ripley Castle and the Howard family at Castle Howard. The Elizabethan manor house of Oakwell Hall and Country Park has delighted visitors for centuries. Charlotte Brontë was a regular visitor and Oakwell Hall featured as Fieldhead, the home of the heroine in Charlotte’s novel, Shirley. These great houses survive as statements of worldly wealth and power.
Great Castles Steep yourself in a wealth of history just waiting to be explored. Mighty castles remind us that ‘he who held the North held the kingdom’. Many castles offer regular living history events bringing the past to life. Over 900 years old, Skipton Castle is one of the most complete and best preserved medieval castles in England and is well worth a visit in any season. Originally built by Sir Richard Le Scrope to rival the finest and most luxurious homes in the land, Bolton Castle is a spectacular medieval fortress, situated in the heart of Wensleydale. Visit the childhood home of Richard III at splendid Middleham Castle, the formidable fortifications of nearby Richmond Castle, the reputed burial place of King Arthur, the interactive displays and artefacts excavated from Helmsley Castle, the impressive ruin of Conisbrough Castle, built around 1180 by Hamelin Plantagenet or Scarborough Castle, with its 2500 year history, stunning location and panoramic views over the Yorkshire coastline. There are plenty of opportunities for great days out right across the county.
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of re s y a ultu d 0 10 t & c ar MARCH 27 6 JULY —
HEADLINE EVENTS
Tour de Cinema
27th March – 5th July 2014 Award winning director Daisy Asquith teams up with cult musician Bill Nelson, to create a new film as part of a series of screenings in stunning locations to be shown on 10 outdoor screens across Yorkshire and in over 35 Town Halls.
Ghost Peloton
16th – 17th May 2014 Phoenix Dance Theatre and acclaimed Scottish public arts charity NVA in partnership with Sustrans, come together to create the world’s first ‘Ghost Peloton,’ which will appear on film and see 50 choreographed cyclists in LED light suits in two monumental live performances at the Tetley in Leeds. #BEPARTOFIT Apply to join the Ghost Peloton at yorkshirefestival.co.uk
Thomas Houseago
End of April – October 2014 LA-based, Leeds-born artist Thomas Houseago, in his first Yorkshire commission will create two spectacular sculptures in Leeds city centre and for Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Exhibitions
Bike Show Welcome to 100 days of world class music, dance, theatre, film, art, sculpture, craft, land-art and one or two art forms there probably isn’t a name for yet! Running from 27th March to the 6th July, Yorkshire Festival 2014 is the first ever arts festival to accompany the Tour de France in its 111 years. Supported by Arts Council England, Welcome to Yorkshire, Yorkshire Water as well as Yorkshire’s Local Authorities, this is a festival for everyone to enjoy and explore, taking place across the county and, inspired by the Tour de France, the majority of the programme is FREE. Yorkshire Festival is a big celebration by and for Yorkshire as we get ready to welcome the Grand Départ.
16th May – 12th July 2014 How many bike tyres do you need to complete a whole tour? The answer to this and other bike quandaries is available in Barnsley at the Civic, where information, vintage artefacts and contemporary bike design come together for an original exhibition.
Art and Yorkshire: From Turner to Hockney 12th April – 12th October 2014
The Mercer Gallery in Harrogate are exhibiting a fabulous celebration of great art made in Yorkshire and inspired by Yorkshire. Over 90 oils, watercolours, drawings, photographs and sculpture on loan from public and private collections explore Yorkshire’s incomparable landscape, rural and industrial, its historic cities, dramatic coastline and a portrait gallery of Yorkshire people.
Tour de Cinema
From Versailles to Yorkshire: Sevrès and Moore at Harewood 18th April – 2nd November 2014
In 2014 Harewood House and it’s grounds plays host to a stunning display of works by French and British masters and contemporary artists: from the iconic sculptures of that quintessentially Yorkshire son Henry Moore to a tiny, exquisite tea set owned by the extravagant, ill-fated Queen Marie Antoinette of France.
Bonjour! Film Your Tour
Eyes on Le Tour
15th May – August 2014
Thomas Houseago
White Cloth Gallery in Leeds hosts an exhibition of photographs by world renowned cycling photographer, Graham Watson who has photographed the Tour de France from 1982 to present. Working in partnership with Rouleur Magazine, the White Cloth Gallery will also be exhibiting the work of Bernard Thompson, who concentrated on cycling photography from the early 60s through to the mid 80s. Join the Rollapaluza competitions #BEPARTOFIT
Wu Chi-Tsung’s Dust 4th April – 31st May 2014
Ghost Peloton
Site Gallery in Sheffield presents two interactive installations by the Taiwanese artist, rising star Wu Chi-Tsung. Crystal City 003 and Dust make use of everyday materials, plastic boxes, lights and dust, to create meditative dream worlds. It captures the shadows of tiny dust particles as they spiral around the audience to make a mesmerising abstract projection.
Theatre
Barry Hines’ Kes
27th March – 5th April 2014 One of Yorkshire’s most celebrated stories, Kes follows Barnsley boy Billy Caspar and his friendship with a wild hawk. See Kes at Sheffield Crucible Theatre scale new heights in this dance theatre adaptation by choreographer Jonathan Watkins. Image top right: Thomas Houseago, Standing Owl I, 2012, Bronze, 94.25 x 50 x 36 in, 239.4 x 127 x 91.4 cm, Edition of 3, 2 APs Photo credit: Fredrik Nilsen, 2013. Courtesy of the artist and Xavier Hufkens, Brussels
Tour of Infinite Possibility
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Taste of Honey
Spirit - Luce Theater Tol
Wu Chi-Tsung’s Dust
27th March – 19th April 2014 Directorial debut at Hull Truck Theatre of new Artistic Director Mark Babych in Shelagh Delaney’s classic set in Salford. Production will move from Hull to the CAST in Doncaster and then on to Stephen Joseph Theatre in Scarborough.
Monday’s Child
From April – June 2014 A simple poetic story of the unique bond between a grandmother and a child, by award winning writer Brendan Murray, for children aged 3+ and their families. Tutti Frutti Productions on tour throughout Yorkshire.
National Student Drama Festival – Sunday Times
Kes
12th – 18th April 2014
The National Student Drama Festival is a Yorkshire institution. It draws hundreds of rising stars – actors, writers, directors, technicians and producers from across the UK. Come to Scarborough to explore.
Music
The Tour of Infinite Possibility 7th – 8th June and 21st – 22nd June 2014
Hope & Social will recruit, rehearse and create ‘A Band Anyone Can Join’ for Yorkshire to play 12 live shows in 12 locations, across the two stages of the Grand Départ. They will release the official festival song ‘The Big Wide’ for artists and audiences to make their own. Sign up to join the Band through yorkshirefestival.co.uk
Festival Song - The Big Wide Free to sing, play and use as your soundtrack – download now from yorkshirefestival.co.uk!
Carnevale Veneziana 23rd May 2014
I Fagiolini brings to life the music, mayhem, political intrigue and comic entertainment of Venice at Carnival through the music of Banchiere, Monteverdi, Gabrielli and Vecchi’s madrigal comedy L’Amfiparnaso. Performance at Toll Gavel Church in Beverley.
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Be part of it
Bike Story - tell us your bicycle stories 20th June – 5th July 2014
Everyone has a bike story and Al Dix want to hear yours; the ups and downs of cycling, the traumas as well as the triumphs. Mike Kenny will weave a selection of these into a very special outdoor performance visiting locations across the county. #BEPARTOFIT
The Woolly Bike Trail yarn-storming workshops 1st – 3rd July 2014
Cassandra Kilbride is a prolific yarn-stormer. For the Grand Départ, Cassandra is creating ten woolly bikes based on familiar Yorkshire themes, from woollen mills to whippets. Follow her thread between locations, or take part in a free workshop. #BEPARTOFIT
Bike Story
Art in Yorkshire
Image left: Art in Yorkshire - Carel Weight (1908-1997) The Road out of Holmfirth, 1966 Oil on canvas, Kirklees Museums and Galleries © Estate of the Artist/ Bridgeman Art Library
teams of cyclists attempt the arduous task of cycling up 6 miles of Cragg Vale in Mytholmroyd. #BEPARTOFIT
Spirit – Luce Theater Tol 12th April 2014
For one night only Theater Tol (Belgium) perform Luce. Inspired by the struggle between the mutually antagonistic Italian cyclists Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali and set in the 40s and 50s, Luce tells of their rivalry. It’s a battle on two wheels and a passionate love story with cinematic images, songs, dance, secret love letters which end in a spectacular aerial show, all taking place in Dewsbury town centre.
Schools
Bonjour! Film Your Tour A film competition for Yorkshire schools run by Sustrans which promises to take a fresh look at the race from the point of view of local children. The best will be recreated with a professional film-maker and screened at community cinemas around Yorkshire. #BEPARTOFIT
Wish You Were Here 21st June 2014
An opportunity for seven communities in North Yorkshire to celebrate what’s truly special about their area by writing and performing their own original songs. A special performance taking place during Grassington Festival. #BEPARTOFIT
DepARTures
Available on festival website from 27th March 2014 Download resources designed for teachers and others working with young people aged 5-19 years old. Inspired by the Yorkshire Festival and the Grand Depart of the Tour de France, these new resources created by CAPE UK are full of ideas for learning. #BEPARTOFIT
The Sheffield Steel Peloton - from smelted steel to beautiful bike headpost 27th March – 28th June 2014
Inviting local artists and the public to discover Sheffield’s finest export - steel. Raw material of iron ore will be sourced from the ground in Sheffield (something not done for hundreds of years), smelted and sculpted to produce a unique one off bike head post badge designed by a Sheffield-based illustrator to celebrate the Grand Départ. Take part in their outdoor workshops across Sheffield. #BEPARTOFIT
Outdoor Spectacular Events
Fantastical Cycle Parade 26th April 2014
Twisted bicycle frames and wonky wheels become dragons and aliens. A parade through Todmorden of fantastical bicyle creatures preceded by participatory workshops
The Grand Departs 5th April
Music and cycling challenge to test how many cyclists it takes to pull a grand piano up one of the longest continuous ascents in England. A range of pianists, professional and amateur will play a specially composed piece of music as
Carnival Bentham by Bike 31st May 2014
A trail of public artwork will be created at the Bentham Passing Place, a circular detour off the Way of the Roses cycle route. Take part in carnival workshops then join the unique Bentham party procession on bike or foot to celebrate. #BEPARTOFIT
We hope you’ll enjoy and help us celebrate the very best of Yorkshire creativity. Check out the full programme of events happening across Yorkshire during the 100 days build up to and during the Grand Départ at www.yorkshirefestival.co.uk @YFest2014 #BEPARTOFIT
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HOW TO GET HERE For more travel information go to www.yorkshire.com/travel Yorkshire By Rail You can get to Yorkshire by train from the North West with First TransPennine Express, who offer direct services into the region from Liverpool and Manchester. Northern Rail also offer direct services to Yorkshire from the North West. Yorkshire’s cities and market towns are also easy to get to from other parts of the country. Travel to Yorkshire with high-speed trains from either London or Edinburgh in less than two hours with East Coast and Grand Central services.
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YORKSHIRE BY SEA Ferry services to Hull and Newcastle link Yorkshire with Holland, Belgium and Germany. P&O Ferries operate overnight services to Hull from Rotterdam and Zeebrugge. YORKSHIRE BY ROAD Britain’s biggest and fastest highways cross Yorkshire from north to south and east to west, making getting here by car or by coach very simple indeed. For details of the quickest (or the most scenic) driving routes see the AA or RAC websites www.theaa.com and www.rac.co.uk YORKSHIRE BY AIR Leeds Bradford International Airport is our busiest air gateway, with UK flights from Aberdeen, Belfast, Exeter, Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Isle of Man, London Gatwick, Southampton and many more. You can also fly into Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield, Humberside, Durham Tees Valley, Newcastle and Manchester airports.
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WHERE WILL YOU BE THIS SUMMER? Summer is a fantastic time for parents with children of all ages to get out and about. What with all the exciting, unique and varied activities and events in Yorkshire, the possibilities are endless for families; go fly a kite, climb a vertical face, hunt for treasure on the beach, climb a huge hill, find your own waterfall, or visit one of the many award winning attractions. Make the most of the long days by visiting some of the county’s most stunning and historically rich heritage sites.
Top to bottom: Building sandcastles on Bridlington beach. Cycling days out in Yorkshire.
It’s also a great time of year to see the sights in Yorkshire’s cities. They deliver a fabulous mix of fashion, fun, culture and heritage, clubs, music and mouth-watering food; you’ll be simply spoilt for choice. Discover cutting edge city shopping or a more tranquil yet discerning retail exploration around our towns and villages. Yorkshire hosts many great summer festivals and events across the county. Immerse yourselves in a myriad of colours and creativity, enjoy different music genres and real spectacles at our great sporting events, and of course, who could forget the world’s largest annual sporting event, the Tour de France, is coming to Yorkshire on the 5th and 6th July.
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