Spring Guide 2017

SPRING IN YORKSHIRE Outdoors, heritage, events and more... www.yorkshire.com

STEP INTO SPRING The days are getting warmer and longer and the county has undergone a wonderful transformation, bathing Yorkshire in a wondrous array of colours. Yorkshire’s beauty is amplified in spring, meaning there is no better time to explore all our fantastic county has to offer than right now. From its grand country estates and award-winning attractions to the rolling green hills and spectacular coastline, Yorkshire really does have it all and this guide will help you on your way to making the most of this wonderful county at this beautiful time of year.

Sir Gary Verity Chief Executive, Welcome to Yorkshire

Front cover images: The Girls. The Cleveland Way © Visit England/Thomas Heaton. Royal Armouries, Leeds. Moorland in Kirklees.

Jorvik Viking Centre. National Railway Museum. The Railway Children, Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Go Ape! in Dalby Forest.

Phoenix Dance Company. Yorkshire Sculpture Park © Jonty Wilde. Hull City of Culture 2017. The Hepworth Wakefield. RSPB Bempton Cliffs. Gunnerside in Swaledale. York Minster. The Deep in Hull. Tour de Yorkshire. Harewood House.

YORKSHIRE.COM

03

WORLD CLASS

Yorkshire’s museums are great fun! We’re lucky to have many of the best examples in the country including six national museums and a range of other unique and award-winning collections to take you on an exciting journey through history. You can take a trip through everything from Viking village life to Victorian industry or even venture into a nuclear bunker!

ABOVE Octopus adventures at Scarborough SEA LIFE Sanctuary.

RIGHT Jousting at The Royal Armouries in Leeds will get your heart thumping.

LOADS GOING ON Yorkshire has some of the best museums in the country. Imagine a place where you can explore, touch, learn, discover and most of all have fun. At Yorkshire’s museums we have lots of stuff going on to keep the family entertained.

ABOVE Discover the amazing Air Pavilion at Magna near Rotherham. LEFT The Deep in Hull. BELOW Fire Pavilion at Magna.

The Deep in Hull is one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world, home to over 3,500 fish including stunning sharks and rays. Go and see their exciting lagoon feeds or watch their amazing shark 3D movie.

You’ll be in your element at Magna, Rotherham. Housed within a former steelworks, inside you can explore the four pavilions of the elements earth, air, fire and water all linked by suspended walkways, stairs and tunnels.

Scarborough SEA LIFE Sanctuary will take you on a fascinating journey from the coastline to the depths of the ocean through 12 themed zones. Discover a magical underwater world filled with a dazzling array of amazing creatures.

Don’t miss the outdoor exhibits starring penguins, seals and otters.

04

YORKSHIRE.COM

YORKSHIRE’S SIX NATIONAL MUSEUMS

NATIONAL COAL MINING MUSEUM

NATIONAL MEDIA MUSEUM

NATIONAL RAILWAY MUSEUM

This 45-acre site allows visitors to discover the hidden world of mining through the centuries. Adventurers can embark on a journey 140m underground donned with hard hat and lamp to find out all about how coal was extracted and brought to the surface, as well as the history of how local miners lived and worked in the area.

This fabulous free museum in Bradford is devoted to film, photography, TV, radio, gaming and the web. Journey through popular photography, discover the past, present and future of television in Experience TV, watch your favourite TV moments in TV Heaven, play with light, lenses and colour in the Magic Factory and explore the world of animation.

The award-winning National Railway Museum lets you get up close to over 300 years of captivating locomotive history. With giant halls full of trains and the opportunity to get on board some awe-inspiring railway legends including the Japanese Bullet Train and the Duchess of Hamilton, York’s only national museum ticks all the boxes for a great day out.

NATIONAL EMERGENCY SERVICES MUSEUM

EUREKA! THE NATIONAL CHILDREN’S MUSEUM

ROYAL ARMOURIES, LEEDS

Located in one of Yorkshire’s first purpose-built combined police, fire and ambulance stations dating back to 1898, this attraction uses lights, sounds and smoke to bring history back to life right in front of you.

The amazing building in Sheffield houses over 45 vehicles including horse drawn fire engines, ambulances, police cars and mines rescue truck.

Eureka! Is the only fully interactive museum totally dedicated to children aged 0-11 anywhere in the UK and not a single thing is trapped inside a glass cabinet. Discover six unique zones each with a different theme to explore. Make some noise and explore how music is created, experience the world of work, take over a childsized town and even step inside giant body parts.

YORKSHIRE.COM

This stunning museum is home to Britain’s national collection of arms and armour, housing a worldrenowned collection of over 75,000 objects. Visitors can get closer to the action than ever before with hands-on activities and live combat demonstrations before discovering treasures from around the globe all the way from the wild-west to the Ottoman Empire.

05

MARKET TOWNS Yorkshire has an abundance of beautiful market towns scattered throughout the county including the very best in Britain! Every town has its own unique charm, boasting something for everyone.

Malton

There is nothing more quintessentially Yorkshire than the traditional Yorkshire market town. Scattered across the county, these picturesque towns are the perfect place to pick up the freshest produce and discover hidden gems within beautiful surrounding countryside. For some extra special local produce, visit one of Yorkshire’s increasingly popular farmers’ markets.

MALTON One of Yorkshire’s most renowned foodie destinations with its famous local produce and monthly food market. This pretty market town has an array of traditional food shops with butchers, grocers, delis and a fishmonger. Learn to cook at Malton Cookery School or visit the town’s growing community of Made In Malton artisan producers.

Malton Monthly Food Market is every second Saturday and the Food Lovers Festival in May attracts some of the biggest names in food. Not forgetting September now has the new Malton Game and Seafood Fest.

06

BEVERLEY An upmarket shopping experience in a beautiful and historic setting. It’s lined with cobbled streets and charming courtyards with the hustle and bustle you would expect of a market town. It strikes a perfect harmony between past and present, offering an array of things to do. The Saturday Market provides a vibrant and friendly atmosphere, each week proving to be as lively and colourful as the one before.

As well as the market there are also many smaller, independent shops. Find antique shops and craft arcades down narrow streets with plenty of pubs to discover.

HOLMFIRTH Against the stunning backdrop of the Peak District National Park, Holmfirth is a thriving market town. You’ll find speciality shops and markets, bespoke art and tempting treats, plus a packed events programme from May to November.

Unique, creative and fun, there’s a lively festival scene including art week, food and drink, folk, film and art festivals. Holmfirth Food and Craft Market takes place every Saturday, but at any time you can try local produce like Longley’s ice cream, the Nook’s Fiery Red Ale, or Barncliffe Brie.

HEBDEN BRIDGE Surrounded by breathtaking countryside, Hebden Bridge has been voted as the ‘Market Town of the Year’ and the Open Air Market attracts visitors all year round. Hebden Bridge Market was recently awarded ‘Best Small Outdoor Market’ by the National Association of British Market Authorities.

The town has a number of famous literary ‘residents’, including Sylvia Plath and former Poet Laureate Ted Hughes whose birthplace can be found in the nearby village of Mytholmroyd.

YORKSHIRE.COM

SPOILT FOR CHOICE Nestled in the Vale of Mowbray between stunning national parks, you’ll find the market town of Northallerton in the heart of North Yorkshire.

With a host of local delis, restaurants and coffee shops to choose from, you may be spoilt for choice.

Markets take place on the High Street every Wednesday and Saturday with fresh local ingredients and a great range of stall holders, but it’s also worth popping into some of the town’s famed independent stores. Barkers department store has been serving Northallerton for over 100 years. Lewis & Cooper is a multi award-winning independent gourmet food store, packed with the most flavoursome foodie treats, fine wines, delicious gift baskets and sumptuous food hampers.

The highest market town in the county and one of the best-kept secrets in South Yorkshire, Penistone deserves close investigation to reveal its hidden treasures. The local Food & Farmers Market is not to be missed and the town boasts plenty of friendly restaurants and delicatessens where you can fill your boots with Yorkshire’s finest fare.

RICH HERITAGE With a rich heritage dating back over 1,300 years, there is lots to discover in the ancient city of Ripon. At the heart of the city, the market place is surrounded by a mix of high street and independent shops and eateries and hosts a variety of events throughout the year.

The thriving Thursday market is still opened at 11am by a bellman, in a tradition dating back to the Corn Market. Another ancient custom is that of the Ripon Hornblower, which has continued for over 1,000 years and still sees the “setting of the watch” every night at 9pm at the Obelisk, situated on the Market Place.

A short stroll down the historic street of Kirkgate, with its quirky shops takes you to a jewel of the city – Ripon Cathedral. Founded by St Wilfrid in 672AD and with its original Saxon crypt this impressive building is well worth visiting.

A short walk in the opposite direction from the market place takes you down Westgate to the Green Flag awarded Spa Gardens with its beautiful Victorian bandstand.

SPOTLIGHT ON HELMSLEY

BUSTLING MARKET

AWARD-WINNING

HARD TO BEAT

If you were asked to imagine the perfect English market town, then it’d probably look a lot like Helmsley.

There’s the bustling market square, the dramatic castle ruins, the charming tea rooms, the inviting inns; all surrounded by mile after mile of the beautiful North York Moors.

Indeed, the Cleveland Way and Ebor Way both begin from here. It’s no wonder that Helmsley welcomes back so many visitors year after year.

The winner of the 2015 Great British High Street’s Best Market Town award, Helmsley really is somewhere very special, whether you’re visiting for a few hours or a few days.

There are plenty of attractions based within the town, such as the National Centre for Birds of Prey, Helmsley Castle, the Walled Gardens and the thriving Helmsley Arts Centre – along with a wide range of events held all year round.

For walkers and cyclists, Helmsley marks the start of the Cleveland Way, and is a great place to explore the spectacular North York Moors National Park. There is a huge choice of eateries and for a spot of retail therapy, Helmsley is hard to beat. It’s jam-packed with a wide range of quality independent shops, offering products you won’t find elsewhere. Everywhere you go, you’ll experience a warm welcome.

YORKSHIRE.COM

07

CLOCKWISE FROM ABOVE Norland Moor © Simon Higginbottom. The Yorkshire Wolds. Amazing cave formations on the East Yorkshire Coast. Waterfall in Upper Wharfedale. The beach at Redcar.

10

YORKSHIRE.COM

HAPPY FEET

FRESH AIR

Yorkshire’s exhilarating and diverse landscape provides an extraordinary degree of variety.

Whether you want a gentle stroll to sharpen your appetite for lunch or a challenging ramble through the high tops of the Peak District, Yorkshire is a great place to enjoy some fresh air. Situated near Sowerby Bridge above the small and quaint village of Norland is Norland Moor local nature reserve.

With views over the Ryburn and Calder Valleys, luckily there are several pubs on the way round providing plenty of opportunities to stop and refuel.

For the dedicated walker, Yorkshire’s appeal grows with every visit. In addition to the pleasures of wandering free through ancient hilltops sculpted into wild, serrated crags, there is a choice of longdistance national trails including the Cleveland Way through the North York Moors and the Pennine Way along England’s great backbone. But don’t worry, you don’t have to do the whole walk at once!

STUNNING WALKS For inspiring landscapes, the Yorkshire Wolds present amazing chalk landscapes, stunning wildlife, vibrant market towns and ancient villages along the 79-mile way from the Humber Bridge in Hull through Market Weighton, Pocklington and finishing on the edge of the Wolds in Filey.

Head northwards from Filey and discover the latest stretch of the England Coast Path to have opened passing through Scabrorough, Whitby, Saltburn and then onto Redcar with stunning views of the North York Moors National Park.

Walking, of course, is only one of Yorkshire’s outdoor pleasures. The variety of activities designed to help you get the best from the stunning landscape is constantly growing. Take off in a hot-air balloon to see the fascinating terrain from on high, or laze your way through it by narrowboat. Ride through the scenery on horseback or mountain bike. Whether you’re sailing or surfing, diving or driving, you’ll find your own view of glorious Yorkshire.

YORKSHIRE.COM

11

A HULL OF A PARTY

Hull is the UK City of Culture 2017. The year opened with a huge firework display, filling the skies above the city in spectacular style and thrusting the city well and truly into the spotlight.

MADE IN HULL The first season, entitled Made in Hull, tells the inspiring stories of the city’s revolutionaries, the thinkers, and the innovators who broke the rules and made their mark on the world. Running until the end of March, this season will see events take place across the city at a number of venues, like Hull City Hall and Hull Truck Theatre, with highlights including performances by Manchester’s award-winning Hallé Orchestra, Jimmy Carr and The Royal Shakespeare Company.

will be installed in public spaces round Hull as part of Look Up, a year-long programme that will see artists create temporary artworks designed to make people look up and experience the city in new ways.

The Blade.

WHERE TO STAY Place des Anges at the launch of Hull 2017.

Season two, named Roots and Routes, takes place from April to June, and will explore Hull’s unique place in a constantly changing world, while Radio One’s Big Weekend will descend on the historic grounds of Burton Constable Hall on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28; artists already confirmed are Little Mix, Kings of Leon and Stormzy.

LOOK UP If you’re visiting the city, look out for the 75-metrelong Blade – a huge wind turbine that, at 25 tonnes, is the largest single-cast product in the world. It bisects the square from Savile Street to Carr Lane, rising to a height of 5.5 metres at its tip, allowing double-decker buses to pass underneath.

It’s the first in a series of major commissions that

12

For places to stay, look no further than Hideout Hotel – Hull’s brand new independent boutique hotel in the heart of the city’s Old Town. Head a little further out of the city and you’ll find the stunning Mercure Hull Grange Park Hotel; a captivating 19th century manor house nestled in 12 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens. The four-star hotel offers a tranquil location to enjoy the sights and soak up the atmosphere, while a multimillion pound refurbishment has also seen a locally-inspired redesign of the hotel’s 100 bedrooms and upgraded conference facilities.

On the outskirts of the pretty market town of Beverley, just a short hop away from Hull, are Broadgate Farm Cottages – luxury self-catering accommodation where a warm and friendly welcome awaits you. Their beautifully converted farm buildings sleep between four and nine people and are the perfect place to relax and unwind after an exciting day in the city.

DISCOVER THE CITY OF CULTURE As the city’s tour guide, Paul Schofield (nominated for Visit England’s Tourism Superstar for 2017 award), often states when taking groups around “don’t forget to look up, there’s so much to see” and this can be no truer than when exploring the cobbled streets of Hull’s Old Town, dominated by the beautiful architecture of the buildings along them. With its riverside location, what better place to kick off your time in Hull than at Wilberforce House. This was the birthplace of the city’s most famous son, Hull MP and slavery abolitionist, William Wilberforce. He was a leading light in the anti-slavery movement and the museum gives you fascinating insight into his life and times.

We’re sure he would have approved of today’s annual Freedom Festival that celebrates freedom in all its forms. The Museums Quarter is also home to the rather intriguingly named Streetlife Museum.

Get ready to experience the Old Town for real as you step back in time with 200 years of transport history. Walk down a 1940s high street, board a tram and trot along for a carriage ride - here the sights, sounds and smells of the past come alive.

YORKSHIRE.COM

13

BELOW Richmond Castle. FAR RIGHT UNESCO World Heritage Site Fountain’s Abbey & Studley Royal.

ABOVE Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth.

RIGHT Salt’s Mill in Saltaire.

NEW LOOK AT THE VIKINGS

Welcoming over 18 million visitors over the past 30 years, visitors journey through the reconstruction of Viking-Age streets, as they would have been 1000 years ago. Be one of the first to the experience the new JORVIK Viking Centre.

One of Yorkshire’s most spectacular attractions is the JORVIK Viking Centre.

Having suffered substantial flood damage in December 2015, this world-famous attraction will throw open its doors once more in April 2017. The centre, built on an astounding archaeological site, has undergone a multi-million pound reimagining and will bring history to life in front of your very eyes. The remains of

14

1,000 year old houses are revealed beneath your feet, objects taken from excavations are explored and Viking-age timbers are brought to life before your eyes. New audio and video displays help you to investigate all of the information gathered from the five year long dig at Coppergate and piece together the puzzle of where the Vikings came from, why they came here and how they lived and died.

YORKSHIRE.COM

STEP INTO THE PAST

From the gilded rooms of great houses to cramped medieval alleyways, you’ll feel the past come vividly alive in Yorkshire.

YORKSHIRE.COM

The county is rich in historic monuments, great castles and religious sites. In some, costumed characters explain their life and times for you.

In others, you can let your imagination roam free in quiet solitude. Bring your own experience of life and take away your own interpretation of the people you meet and the places you visit.

will leave you with a deeper understanding of the tragic, romantic lives of the fascinating family, as well as of their writings. Beautifully set in a valley landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown in the 18th century, Roche Abbey has one of the most complete ground plans of any English Cistercian monastery, laid out as excavated foundations.

GREAT STORIES

WORLD CLASS

The 12th century keep of Richmond Castle stands sentinel over this beautiful town.

Temple Newsam House is home to one of the country’s greatest collections of decorative arts, room after stunning room has now been restored to its original Jacobean splendour. At Thorp Perrow Arboretum, amongst a nationally-important collection of trees and shrubs, you can watch the spectacle of falcons in flight. At Castle Howard, one of the finest country houses in England, costumed characters step out of the past to tell you what life was really like for the landed gentry —and their staff! The wild moorland setting of Haworth, home to the Brontë Parsonage Museum

UNESCO World Heritage Sites are few and far between, but we have two in Yorkshire.

Veiled in a secluded valley, Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal promises to surprise and captivate with its vast Cistercian abbey ruins, Georgian water garden, a medieval deer park, Elizabethan Hall and Gothic church. In contrast, Saltaire near Bradford was a model village built for industrial workers in the 19th century. This charming village was founded in 1853

by Sir Titus Salt, a leading industrialist in the Yorkshire woollen industry. The name of the village combines the founder’s surname and the name of the pretty river that runs through the village.

15

GREAT BREAKS

Whether you’re after a romantic weekend with the other half, or a few days of fun and frolics with the family, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Yorkshire.

UNDER THE STARS Pack up the car and head to the coast to make the most of the longer days and warmer nights. Pay a visit to Humble Bee Farm in Flixton, near Scarborough and try a spot of glamping; the kids will love sleeping under the stars in a giant bell tent or wigwam before spending the day exploring the nearby coast and moors.

For a little bit of luxury in the stunning Yorkshire Wolds, check out Estate Escapes, in the pretty village of Hotham – think impeccably decorated holiday cottages surrounded by peaceful countryside. They’re just a short drive away from William’s Den – a brand new adventure attraction with indoor and outdoor play areas – so it’s the perfect place to bring the kids for a half term break.

16

YORKSHIRE.COM

ROMANTIC HOTELS Step back in time and see how the other half live at Rossington Hall, a spectacular stately home near Doncaster where you’ll be treated like royalty from start to finish.

Or treat yourself to a luxurious selfcatering break for two at Smallshaw Farm Cottages on the edge of the Peak District.

Surrounded by open fields with uninterrupted views of the moors and its very own spa, it is the perfect place to escape the rat race and recharge your batteries. Nestled in 30,000 acres of stunning Yorkshire Dales countryside next to the beautiful Bolton Abbey, with two award-winning restaurants and a newlyrefurbished spa, The Devonshire Arms Hotel and Spa is the ideal place to spend a long weekend – and you can bring your four-legged friend along too! Recently named one of the top 20 most romantic hotels in the UK by The Sunday Times, Yorebridge House in the picturesque Dales village of Bainbridge never fails to impress.

The five star boutique hotel and restaurant prides itself on impeccable service and stunning surroundings.

ABOVE Yorebridge House. BELOW LEFT A spot of luxury at Estate Escapes. BELOW RIGHT Exploring the Yorkshire canal network.

YOUR OWN PACE For something a little different, hop on a canal boat with Shire Cruisers and discover a lesser seen part of Yorkshire - you’ll get to hire your own boat and explore the Pennine canals at your own pace.

If you’d prefer to stay on dry land, try glamping at Uppergate Farm in one of their Mongolian-style yurts. Don’t worry about packing a sleeping bag and camping stove – their beautiful yurts are filled with home comforts, like a king size bed and comfy sofas so you can relax and recharge before another fun-filled day of exploring the nearby countryside.

YORKSHIRE.COM

ABOVE Spa breaks at The Devonshire Arms. RIGHT Smallshaw Farm Cottages.

OPPOSITE TOP LEFT Rossington Hall. OPPOSITE BOTTOM LEFT Humble Bee Farm near Scarborough.

17

@Bike Libraries

Borrow a bike for

FREE

COME AND GIVE CYCLING A GO Yorkshire Bank Bike Libraries have an ambition to give every child in Yorkshire access to a bike for free. We want to get the whole of Yorkshire cycling, whether it’s learning to ride for the first time, or learning about local safe cycling routes and basic bike maintenance.

Not your typical Library, a Yorkshire Bank Bike Library offers loans of bikes instead of books!

Perhaps you’ve never been on a bike and would like to learn how? Or you’d love to get out on the open road with your family, but haven’t got bikes? Your local Yorkshire Bank Bike Library is on hand to put you on the right track. Each Library is unique, offering bikes to loan alongside different events and activities such as cycling lessons, family activities, guided local rides or bike maintenance lessons.

Visit the website to see what your local Bike Library has to offer.

www.bikelibraries.co.uk

LET SOMEONE NEW LOVE YOUR OLD BIKE

Each Yorkshire Bank Bike Library is not for profit and aims to give back to the local community. The bikes available to loan have been generously donated and restored to full working order – and we need more bikes! If you have a bike sat in your garage that doesn’t get used, or perhaps your child has grown out of their current bike, we’d love to take it off your hands. Visit the website to find your nearest donation station, and help get Yorkshire cycling.

www.bikelibraries.co.uk/ donation-stations

AWARD WINNING Head over to Burnby Hall and Gardens for their annual Tulip Festival between Saturday 29th April and Saturday 13th May. Having won the prestigious Yorkshire in Bloom Gold Award for the seventh consecutive year these unique gardens in Pocklington are a must see for all the family on a beautiful Spring day.

In the heart of the North York Moors, Farndale is internationally famed for its annual display of daffodils which normally bloom at the end of March. It is believed the daffodils were first brought to Farndale by medieval monks from Rievaulx.

ABOVE Beningbrough Hall, Gallery & Gardens.

RIGHT Ripley Castle Gardens.

OPPOSITE Sheffield Botanical Gardens.

Roundhay Park in Leeds is one of the biggest city parks in Europe comprising of an amazing 700 acres of parkland, woodland and lakes alongside an array of flowerbeds and gardens.

Situated on a cliff top position overlooking Bridlington, Sewerby Hall and Gardens offers something for everyone. The award winning garden includes numerous woodland walks, comfortable benches, and a huge variety of wildlife. The Marie Curie Daffodil Trail is a must see throughout spring not to mention the magnificent Monkey Puzzle trees, reputed to be amongst the oldest in England.

FULL OF COLOUR ABOVE Burton Agnes Hall and Gardens.

LEFT RHS Garden Harlow Carr. BELOW Sewerby Hall and Gardens

The ever popular Botanical Gardens in Sheffield are conveniently located one mile south west of Sheffield City Centre. The Grade II listed gardens date back to 1833 and contain historical listed buildings and structures including the Glass Pavilions that are some of the earliest curvilinear glass structures ever built. The key features of the gardens are surrounded by winding paths and informal plantings which create distinct character zones.

Situated just outside Holmfirth with stunning views of Holme Valley, Totties Garden Centre offers a large selection of seasonal plants, shrubs and trees. In addition to the array of homewares and gifts available throughout the centre there are also games, a sandpit and animals for the children to enjoy.

20

YORKSHIRE.COM

IN BLOOM

FULL OF VARIETY There are over 100 acres of award-winning gardens at Harewood House, full of variety with plants from around the world, all in the setting of glorious ‘Capability’ Brown landscape. Explore the magnificent terrace with its herbaceous and tropical borders and discover the alpine beauty of the Himalayan garden with primulas, orchids, cobra lilies and blue poppies. Follow the picturesque lakeside walk, adorned with over 50 kinds of rhododendron, to the walled garden where heritage fruit and vegetables are grown.

YORKSHIRE.COM

INSPIRING One of Britain’s finest historic houses Castle Howard offers 1,000 acres to explore. Enjoy wandering along the intertwining network of paths in the woodland garden or the three adjoining enclosures of the walled garden, not to mention the awe inspiring statues and water features throughout the grounds. Feeling inspired? Why not pick up some plants, trees or shrubs from Castle Howard’s very own garden centre situated near to the stable courtyard shops and cafés.

21

CLOCKWISE FROM BELOW Gary Barlow and Tim Firth at the launch of The Girls. Original Calendar Girl Angela Baker with Gary Barlow at rehearsals for The Girls © Matt Crockett. Ben Hunter.

WEST END GIRLS

Ben Hunter, a teenager from Hull, has landed one of the coveted roles in the new musical by pop legend Gary Barlow and songwriter Tim Firth. We caught up with Ben to find out more about his first professional role and his stage debut in London’s West End.

GETTING INVOLVED

INSPIRING STORY

I first became involved with the show when I landed the role of Danny for a workshop that took place in Burnsall, Yorkshire. It was where we performed four readings of the show at the village hall to the locals and the original Calendar Girls. Danny is a sensible kid going for head boy and the son of Chris who has the idea to make the nude calendar. The musical, unlike the play and the film, shows how making the calendar affected the husbands and kids as well just the ladies, and the new storylines add an exciting new layer to the story. Being from Yorkshire myself it was very special to perform my first professional role to the people of Yorkshire.

After the Burnsall workshop, we took the show to the Leeds Grand Theatre and the Lowry, Salford where we received a standing ovation at every show. The response was amazing, and being able to test the show out regionally gave everyone a great idea of what worked and what didn’t work before it came to the West End. I think some people may have been unsure if a Yorkshire musical would get the same response in the south, but the response this time has been just as good if not even better. What is so great is that the story is so universal, and touches everyone in some way. I feel very proud to be involved in a show that’s so close to home and to be a part of a story that has inspired so many people.

22

YORKSHIRE.COM

BE PART OF IT Whether you want to The Hepworth Wakefield rock out to classic bands, listen to some of our best-known writers and film-makers discussing their work or just savour the flavours of fine ales, tasty cheeses and fresh-baked bread, Yorkshire has a party for you – all throughout spring. Books and bikes, film, food and drink, skating and snooker, jazz and blues, steam trains, spring flowers, thoroughbred horses and cutting edge comedy – Yorkshire celebrates all these and more - with a packed calendar of inspiring events.

In spring 2017, The Hepworth Wakefield are presenting a major exhibition with Jonathan Anderson, one of the world’s most innovative contemporary fashion designers, exploring the human form in art, fashion and design.

A personal selection of sculptures will be on display, alongside notable fashion pieces and objects of craft and design, investigating the way the human form has been reconceived by artists and designers across the 20th and 21st centuries.

Yorkshire Artist Lucy Pittaway has been named the official artist of the Tour de Yorkshire 2017. March will see Lucy unveil the official picture which is part of a wider eight piece collection depicting the beautiful Yorkshire countryside and industrial townscapes seen throughout Yorkshire. Lucy was the UK’s Best Up and Coming Artist 2016 and her collection will be on display at events across Yorkshire and the Lucy Pittaway Gallery in Brompton-on-Swale, and online.

FOUR UNMISSABLE EVENTS

TOUR DE YORKSHIRE

BBC RADIO 1’S BIG WEEKEND

KWVR FLYING SCOTSMAN

SCI-FI SCARBOROUGH

28th - 30th April

27th & 28th May

1st - 9th April

8th & 9th April

The third edition of the race encompasses all four corners of the county and takes in Yorkshire’s two UNESCO World Heritage Sites at Fountains Abbey and Saltaire.

Expected to attract tens of thousands of music fans to Burton Constable, BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend is set to be one of the musical highlights of Hull UK City of Culture 2017.

The world’s most famous steam locomotive Flying Scotsman is to make an appearance at the Keighley and Worth Valley Railway.

The locomotive will join the KWVR fleet for nine days.

Back for the fourth year in the beautiful Scarborough Spa with their magical mix of famous guests, authors, movie and TV props and much more. This is the go to convention of the year.

24

YORKSHIRE.COM

HUDDERSFIELD LITERATURE FESTIVAL 4th - 19th March Performance and poetry, creative writing workshops and free family events - the 2017 Huddersfield Literature Festival is expected to be the biggest and best to date. The festival was proud to be a White Rose Award finalist in 2016 in the ‘Arts & Culture’ category and is now a recognised fixture on the local events calendar.

HARROGATE SPRING FLOWER SHOW Great Yorkshire Showground 20th - 23rd April 2017 The first big event in the gardening calendar, the show welcomes the new growing season with a spectacular celebration of the very best in horticulture.

Rated Britain’s top gardening event by Which?, this prestigious event will feature beautiful show gardens, the very latest in gardening trends, great shopping, live entertainment and the biggest exhibition by florists and flower arrangers in the country.

ABOVE The Great Studfold Easter Egg Hunt. RIGHT Harrogate Spring Flower Show.

BELOW Lemn Sissay, Huddersfield Literature Festival.

MALTON FOOD LOVERS FESTIVAL 27th & 28th May A celebration of the finest Yorkshire produce and cookery with delicious street food, talks, tastings, celebrity chef demos, cookery lessons and much, much more.

THE WHITE RABBIT IN EASTERLAND RACEDAY BEVERLEY RACECOURSE 19th April Join the magical Alice in Wonderland themed Easter egg hunt, featuring live theatre and free chocolate eggs for all the kids, as well as a lovely afternoon’s racing.

THE GREAT STUDFOLD EASTER EGG HUNT LOFTHOUSE, NR HARROGATE 8th – 23rd April

ABOVE Harrogate Spring Flower Show. LEFT Malton Food Lovers Festival. BELOW Northern Light by Lucy Pittaway.

Pick up the easter adventure clues and find large willow nests and brightly coloured eggs! Studfold’s award winning adventure trail allows children to explore, discover and learn by enjoying a childhood adventure.

YORKSHIRE.COM

25

Easter is synonymous with indulging in sweet treats and Yorkshire is home to some of the most amazing offerings of sweet treats in the whole of the UK.

DELICIOUS EASTER MAGICAL STORIES

The county was once one of the greatest exporters of chocolate thanks to families like Tuke, Rowntree and Terry and there are a wealth of fine producers carrying on their fine traditions today.

York’s Chocolate Story, located in the heart of York, offers an entertaining and informative tour through the history of these chocolate making families and their finest creations.

Budding chocolatiers have the opportunity to create their own hand-made chocolates for themselves after a fully guided tour of interactive exploration.

Travel to the south of the county to Cocoa Wonderland and experience a wonderful emporium that is packed to the brim with delightful treats. This magical shop and cafĂŠ will amaze little boys and girls and transport adults back to their childhoods. If retro is exactly what you are after, then a trip to the stunning Yorkshire Dales and The Oldest Sweet Shop in England offers a truly magical and memorable experience. This Guinness World recognised sweet shop has traded since 1827 and allows visitors the feeling of time travel as you step into the old building dating back to the 1600s with its original features.

26

YORKSHIRE.COM

Joseph Dobson and Sons, the home of the famous Yorkshire Mixture, is a fascinating story of family business. This year they are releasing some special Easter sweets that are sure to go down a treat.

FAMILY FUN If you’re feeling pretty stuffed after indulging in some of the county’s sweetest experiences, then Yorkshire also plays proud host to some amazing family attractions that will allow you to get outdoors, stretch your legs and enjoy the warmer weather and stunning views that this time of year brings.

One such place is Boston Park Farm in Doncaster, this traditional working farm is still operational and lets children get up close, pet and feed a wide range of animals. With outdoor play equipment and a Maize Maze, families will have hours of fun at this fantastic farm.

EASTER ADVENTURES For a special ‘Springtime Adventure’, take on The Great Studfold Easter Egg Hunt near Lofthouse. This annual event lets families collect a clue sheet and explore the grounds, between 8th and 23rd April, looking for large willow nests and brightly coloured eggs.

Head east of the county for an East-er egg hunt that will leave the kids egg-static at Burton Agnes near Driffield. From the 8th to 23rd April, children are invited to the magnificent grounds of this beautiful Elizabethan hall to solve clues and explore the extensive gardens. Can you find the giant golden egg that’s been hidden by the Easter bunny in these stunning grounds?

TOP TO BOTTOM York’s Chocolate Story. Get to Burton Agnes Hall for an amazing Easter egg hunt. Cocoa Wonderland in Sheffield.

YORKSHIRE.COM

27

INSPIRING YORKSHIRE IN WORDS Yorkshire’s literature is infused with wild and beautiful surroundings. Let your imagination run free and follow in the footsteps of Yorkshire’s greats this spring.

With its cobbled streets, rows of tea shops and quaint stone cottages, Haworth is the home of one of English literature’s most famous families. Just a few miles away from the cities of Leeds and Bradford, hours can easily be lost in the Brontë Parsonage Museum browsing its independent shops, tea rooms such as Cobbles and Clay, or with a trip on the nearby Keighley and Worth Valley Railway the perfect way to see the landscape that inspired much of the Brontë sisters’ work.

Sink your teeth into not just scrumptious fish and chips from the Quayside (Fish and Chip Shop of the Year 2014), but hundreds of years of history by walking up the 199 steps to the dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey that were the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s gothic tale of ‘Dracula’.

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP Brontë Parsonage Museum.

The finest view in England © Chris J Parker/NYMNPA. City Park in Bradford. Keighley & Worth Valley Railway. Whitby Abbey.

28

YORKSHIRE.COM

LANDSCAPES

In the summer celebrate the written and spoken word in all its wonderful form from 30 June to the 9 July at the Bradford Literature Festival, hailed as one of the most inspirational festivals in the UK. With over 200 events the festival celebrates the written and spoken word in all its wonderful forms from 30th June to the 9th July.

For a great family day out visit The World of James Herriot in the market town of Thirsk.

The museum pays a unique tribute to the life and times of Alf Wight, otherwise known as James Herriot, author of ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ and many other stories about his work as a vet.

It lets visitors see a snapshot of life in the 1940s and of the man who captured the hearts and minds of so many people.

As the City of Culture in 2017 Hull has a lot to celebrate this year with events taking place right across the city. For 30 years the city was home to the nation’s best-loved poet Philip Larkin.

Explore the city that inspired a significant body of his work.

YORKSHIRE.COM

29

3rd edition STAGE 1 : FRIDAY 28 APRIL Bridlington - Scarborough

STAGE 2 : SATURDAY 29 APRIL Tadcaster - Harrogate

STAGE 3 : SUNDAY 30 APRIL Bradford - Fox Valley, Sheffield

RIGHT The Hole of Horcum. BELOW Scarborough Castle.

GET IN GEAR

Since its launch in 2015 the Tour de Yorkshire is fast becoming one of the world’s most dramatic and best supported professional cycling races.

WORLD CLASS Over two million spectators cheered on the second edition of the Tour de Yorkshire in 2016 as the county was heralded as fast becoming the heartland of cycling by Tour de France boss Christian Prudhomme.

ABOVE Tour de Yorkshire in the North York Moors. LEFT Bridlington. BELOW Robin Hood’s Bay. BELOW LEFT Whitby Abbey.

Organisers have worked hard to design another electrifying route for the third edition which once again showcases Yorkshire’s stunning scenery as well as delivering a thrilling sporting event. Previous editions have attracted some of the most famous names in the sport including Sir Bradley Wiggins and Marcel Kittel, as well as the 2016 winner Thomas Voeckler, who will be back to defend his title in what will be his last ever appearance on British soil.

This year promises a long list of world-class riders to be unveiled in what is sure to be a stellar line up in April. Once again, the Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire will be one of the most lucrative events in the sport and the racing will be more challenging than ever before as the riders tackle the same undulating course as the men do on stage two.

The winner in 2016 was Thomas Voeckler a hugely popular Frenchman who has taken Yorkshire to his heart; he couldn’t have been more delighted and will return in 2017 to defend his title. With the third edition fast approaching it promises to be equally spectacular and is a race not to be missed!

32

YORKSHIRE.COM

TOUR DE YORKSHIRE 2017

STAGE ONE COAST AND WOLDS FRIDAY, 28th April - 173 km Bridlington to Scarborough

The race gets going outside Bridlington Spa and passes along the promenade before heading through Driffield and into Pocklington where the first intermediate sprint will be contested. The classified climb up the Côte de Garrowby Hill will get the legs pumping before a brisk descent into Birdsall. The peloton will then sweep through Malton before they pass Flamingo Land and into

YORKSHIRE.COM

Pickering. The Hole of Horcum provides a stunning backdrop before the Côte de Goathland, which fans might recognise from the TV show Heartbeat, before the fast and furious descent of Blue Bank and into Sleights. The race hits the coastline again at Whitby and the riders will get a great view of the iconic abbey as they take on the second sprint.

The route then makes a visit to Hawsker before the third KOM is decided at Robin Hood’s Bay. From there it’s full speed through Fylingdales, Cloughton and Burniston and back into Scarborough where the frontrunners will sweep along South Bay, around the castle walls, and onto the now legendary sprint finish.

33

ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT Tadcaster. Pateley Bridge.

Ripley Castle. LEFT The Tour de France in Harrogate.

BELOW Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal.

STAGE TWO HISTORIC MARKET TOWNS SATURDAY, 29th April - 122.5 km Tadcaster to Harrogate

Following the success of last year, both the men’s and women’s races will be held on the same route with the women starting in the morning and the men in the early afternoon. The action starts on Tadcaster Bridge and takes a tour of the town before heading towards Boston Spa and Wetherby. The route then hugs the River Nidd as it ventures into Knaresborough, and it is here where the first intermediate sprint points are up for grabs. With those in the bag the road winds its way to Ripley, where cyclists will get a glimpse of Ripley Castle

34

before they pass into Nidderdale. Pateley Bridge is sure to provide a warm welcome before the riders pass Gouthwaite Reservoir and battle their way up the sole categorised climb of the day on the Côte de Lofthouse. After dropping into Healey the route continues on to Masham – home of the Black Sheep and Theakston breweries. The peloton continues through Binsoe and West Tanfield before passing Lightwater Valley. Then it’s full steam ahead into Ripon for the second intermediate sprint where the race will skirt Studley Park before passing within a stone’s throw of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal. Bishop Thornton, Birstwith and Hampsthwaite will cheer the peloton through on their approach to Harrogate. The action will reach its climax along Parliament Street, just as it did on the opening stage of the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ.

YORKSHIRE.COM

ABOVE Cycling over the cobbles in Haworth.

RIGHT City Park in Bradford. BELOW Top Withens in Brontë Country. RIGHT Burnsall.

STAGE THREE THE YORKSHIRE TERRIER SUNDAY, 30th April - 194.5 km Bradford to Fox Valley, Sheffield

The riders will roll out of City Park in the heart of Bradford and head towards the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Saltaire. The action then passes through Menston and joins the 2014 Tour de France Grand Départ route at Burley-inWharfedale before visiting Ilkley and Addingham.

The route continues on to Bolton Abbey, heading deeper into the Yorkshire Dales National Park.

Burnsall and Linton welcome the race before it passes through Rylstone, home of the original Calendar Girls. Skipton is the next town on the route, with the first of eight categorised climbs YORKSHIRE.COM

being contested on the Côte de Silsden. Once the race has passed through Keighley the next KOM looms on the cobbled rise up Haworth’s picturesque main street. Exiting Brontë Country, the next climb comes at Leeming and the riders will have little time to recover before they face the infamous Côte de Shibden Wall. This cobbled brute could see splits form before the route passes Brighouse and into Birstall; but a few hardened souls may regain contact as they skirt Huddersfield. Penistone, Wortley and Snowden Hill represent the calm before the storm, and once the final intermediate sprint has been contested in Stocksbridge the riders then embark on a torturous 22km finishing circuit that features no less than four categorised climbs leaving the surviving riders to battle it out for victory at Fox Valley, Sheffield.

35

SWEET TREATS As the weather brightens and we start to feel the warm spring sun, nothing satisfies like a delicious ice cream from Brymor Dairy. Situated along the North Yorkshire country lanes this is the perfect retreat for a sweet treat. Whilse you are in the area take advantage of the changing weather and get ready to host the first barbeque of the year with a visit to Campbells of Leyburn, browse their eclectic selection from the counter.

As a proud farming county producing some of the best meat in the world, it’s always best to visit local butchers, the counters at Glaves Butchers situated between Scarborough and

36

Pickering or J Brindon Addy near Holmfirth, are a great place to start. They can advise you on what’s in season and what to pop on those spring time barbeques.

BEST MEAT Yorkshire loves good food and has an abundance of places to get homemade artisan treats. There are those who have been serving the community for over 30 years such as Bondgate Bakery in Otley, with the ovens going from 3am. This is a traditional bakery in a traditional town serving anything but ordinary treats. Or there’s Songbird Bakery in Middlesbrough who are new to the

YORKSHIRE.COM

scene but still know how to make an out of this world cupcake, perfect for all occasions and a bright fresh choice for a spring party. United in our love for all things yummy why not plan your weekend around some of the wonderful food on offer at some of the foodie events across Yorkshire, Tarte and Berry will make it worth your while with one of their legendary brownies.

LEFT Food 2 Remember in Malton. ABOVE Amazing cupcakes at Songbird Bakery.

BELOW Tipple Tails.

FESTIVALS Along with Sawley Kitchen and Tipple Tails, Yorkshire foodie festivals are the best places to grab a delicious treat for all the family from local, artisan producers. With spring comes new beginnings and what better way to start the year than by learning a new skill.

Love Bread based in Brighouse will give you the skills to bake everything from focaccia to fougasse. Or if you’d rather sit back and let someone else do the hard work they’ll happily accommodate, perhaps pop in and pick up an artisan loaf to take on an early spring picnic.

QUALITY The market towns across Yorkshire pride themselves on fresh local produce and Malton is a stand out example. Try Food 2 Remember as your one stop shop for everything you might need to try out some new ideas. Their knowledgeable and friendly staff will guide you in the right direction and help you buy what’s best right now. And what better to accompany quality ingredients than a quality tipple or two. The Spirit of Harrogate will happily oblige and provide you with a delicious long drink to celebrate the longer evenings arriving. Or on those days where the spring warmth isn’t quite enough try an enveloping glass of whisky produced by York Brewery, a glass of Elysian Spirit really will start the year off with a bang.

OPPOSITE Brymor Ice Cream and a Gin Experience at Slingsby Gin. ABOVE Sawley Kitchen. RIGHT Spirit of Harrogate. BELOW Tarte and Berry.

Spring is the time to enjoy some last indulgences before summer arrives and Yorkshire has a multitude of foodie treats and delights on offer, there is surely something to take your fancy.

YORKSHIRE.COM

37

REDCAR BARNARD CASTLE

A67

TO THE M6 FOR BIRMINGHAM AND CUMBRIA

A685

SALTBURN

ANBY

A1

YORKSHIRE DALES

SEDBERGH

A684

WHITBY A683

RTH YORK MOORS

MASHAM

GRASSINGTON

PICKERING

HELMSLEY

SETTLE

A59

FILEY

SKIPTON

A165 A64

MALTON DRIFFIELD

YORK

ILKLEY

A64 KNARESBOROUGH

YORK

WETHERBY

A64

LEEDS

A614

SELBY

SELBY

A164

A63

A63

A63

A63

HUMBER BRIDGE GOOLE

A15

SCUNTHORPE

A180 GRIMSBY EDINBURGH

BRIGG

PENISTONE

BARNSLEY

LEEDS

YORKSHIRE

DONCASTER

A180 GRIMSBY CLEETHORPES

BRIGG

A18

PEAK ROTHERHAM DISTRICT A57

SHEFFIELD TO LONDON BY RAIL

HOW TO GET HERE YORKSHIRE BY AIR

LONDON

KEY Motorways A Roads Rail Routes Airports Heritage Coasts Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Parks

38

A15

WITHERNSEA

A18

MANCHESTER

Ferryport

GOOLE SCUNTHORPE

A1

HOLMFIRTH

WITHERNSEA

CLEETHORPES

CASTER

PONTEFRACT

WAKEFIELD

MIRFIELD

HULL

HULL

HUMBER BRIDGE

HUDDERSFIELD

A164

HORNSEA

BEVERLEY

A19

HALIFAX HORNSEA

BEVERLEY TODMORDEN

FLAMBOROUGH HEAD

BRIDLINGTON

A166

A1079

HEBDEN BRIDGE

A614

FILEY

MALTON DRIFFIELD

OTLEY

BRADFORD

SEAMER

A165

A19

A658

A65

A629

PICKERING

HELMSLEY

HARROGATE

KEIGHLEY FLAMBOROUGH HEAD SALTAIRE HAWORTH BRIDLINGTON

A166

A1079

RIPON

PATELEY BRIDGE

MALHAM

SEAMER

A170

THIRSK

KIRKBY LONSDALE ROBIN HOOD’S BAY HORTON-IN-RIBBLESDALE INGLETON A169

A170

SCARBOROUGH

SUTTON BANK

HAWES

SCARBOROUGH

ROBIN HOOD’S BAY

A169

NORTH YORK MOORS

LEYBURN

DENT

Y

A172 OSMOTHERLEY

NORTHALLERTON

REETH

WHITBY

A171

DANBY

RICHMOND

STAITHES

A171

A66

STAITHES

GUISBOROUGH

YARM

BOWES

TEBAY

REDCAR

H

KIRKBY STEPHEN

SALTBURN

MIDDLESBROUGH

Fly to Doncaster Sheffield Airport with Flybe, Welcome to Yorkshire’s official airport partner and airline, or to Humberside Airport or Durham Tees Valley Airport. Leeds-Bradford International Airport is our busiest air gateway, with flights from Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Exeter, Edinburgh, Glasgow, London Gatwick, Newquay, Plymouth and Southampton.

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. 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 RAIL KEY

Yorkshire’s cities and market towns are Motorways easy to get to from other parts of the country. Travel to Yorkshire with A Roads high-speed trains from either London or Edinburgh in less than two hours Rail Routes with Grand Central and Virgin Trains East Coast services. You can also get Airports to Yorkshire by train from the North West with First TransPennine Express, Heritage Coasts who offer direct services into the county from Liverpool and Manchester.

Areas Outstanding Northern Rail also of offer direct services Natural Beauty to Yorkshire from the North West.

National Parks

YORKSHIRE BY SEA Ferry services to Hull and Newcastle Ferryport link Yorkshire with Holland, Belgium and Germany. P&O Ferries operate overnight services to Hull from Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.

YORKSHIRE.COM/TRAVEL