ESCAPE THE EVERYDAY

VisitEngland’s cross-country campaign to showcase England’s loveliest locations saw TV presenter AJ Odudu visiting our great county and highlighting ways to Escape the Everyday in Yorkshire.

irthplace of Yorkshire puddings, Marks & Spencer and the Brontë sisters, God’s Own County is a gift that just keeps on giving. From vast stretches of unspoiled countryside, to historic cities and storybook seaside towns, escape to a beautiful slice of England’s biggest county with AJ Odudu as she visits the Yorkshire Dales and discover more things to do further afield.

AJ’s top tips on how to escape the everyday in Yorkshire

Go for a Sunday roast at a traditional local pub, you’ll get to try some proper

Yorkshire puds

Explore the Yorkshire coast –there are some beautiful bays and seaside towns that are well worth a visit

Remember to bring your walking boots/comfortable shoes – there’s so much glorious untouched landscape to discover on foot in Yorkshire

AJ’s Yorkshire highlight

“We have such amazing National Parks here in the UK and the Yorkshire Dales is just awe-inspiring – the perfect place to just get outdoors and breathe. There are so many ways to explore – biking, walking or just exploring all the villages like Malham and their cosy pubs. Autumn/Winter is such a great time to visit, the waterfalls are in full swing and you can always find a pocket of the Dales just for yourself.”

1. Discover natural hidden gems

Gordale Scar

Deep in the woods near Malham Village is a small yet magical waterfall named Janet’s Foss. It’s said that the cave behind the tumbling water is the home of Jennet the Queen of Fairies. The woodland walks that lead to the waterfall are fairy-talelike in themselves, and are great if you’ve got the dog with you. Make sure you keep an eye out for the tree stumps studded with hundreds of lucky pennies – visitors can add one to the stumps if they want to make a wish to Jennet. What would yours be?

We have such amazing National Parks here in the UK and the Yorkshire Dales is just awe-inspiring

2. Sip on a pint in a proper country pub

Malham

Yorkshire, like the rest of England, is chock-a-block with pubs, and some of the best are found in the countryside. Take the Lister Arms, for example, surrounded by the spellbinding scenery of the Yorkshire Dales. Welcoming thirsty travellers for hundreds of years, this 17thcentury coaching inn is still one of Yorkshire’s favourite locals and is famous for its Yorkshire comfort food and a wide selection of ales. Nestle down in one of the armchairs and with a

pint in hand and admire the historical features, from the mounting block where riders would climb onto their horses, to the low beams and original fireplaces. If all that cosiness gets the better of you, then you’ll be glad to know you can stay the night in one of the pub’s characterful bedrooms.

3. Get lost in never-ending views

Malham Cove

With miles of untouched countryside, it’s no surprise there are plenty of breathtaking viewpoints in Yorkshire. One of the most distinctive is Malham Cove, a large limestone formation originally created from glacier water in the last ice age – the top of the cove is pattered with deeply eroded limestone pavement, making it one of the more unique beauty spots in the Yorkshire Dales (and perhaps one of the reasons it featured in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1). Make your way up here for glorious views over the village of Malham and the surrounding Yorkshire Dales National Park.

One of the most distinctive is Malham Cove, a large limestone formation originally created from glacier water

I KNOW YORKSHIRE BETTER THAN ANY VOGUE EDITOR EVER HAS!

Image: Rievaulx Abbey

4. Uncover bygone eras

Helmsley

From ancient battlefields to industrial feats, Yorkshire has a wealth of history to explore. In a tranquil valley close to the town of Helmsley you’ll find Rievaulx Abbey, once one of England’s most powerful Cistercian monasteries. The impressive ruins are some of the most complete in Britain, and the extensive museum provides a glimpse into its development and the monks who once called it home. Packed with unique archaeological finds, a visit here shines a light on North York Moors’ turbulent religious past.

5. Visit storybook seaside towns

Scarborough

As well as national parks and medieval cities, Yorkshire is famous for its scenic seaside towns. Scarborough, for example, was Britain’s first-ever seaside resort, and has seen tourists flock here for almost 400 years. It was originally popular for its soothing spa waters, but today you’ll find much more going on. As well as ice cream parlours and amusements, this coastal town has two awardwinning beaches, a medieval castle and, of course, a warm Yorkshire welcome. It’s also aptly nicknamed the Dinosaur Coast, thanks to the fossils you can find scattered along the beaches.

MUST SEE

If peace and tranquillity is what you seek from a family day out in Yorkshire, then Rievaulx Abbey is the perfect choice. Set in a remote valley in the North York Moors National Park, Rievaulx is one of the most complete, and atmospheric, of England’s abbey ruins. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular visitor attractions in the North.

6. Treat yourself to a room with a view

Malton

Escape to peace, quiet, and luxury at The Private Hill. Set within a farm, this countryside retreat is home to a collection of geodesic domes. Each has cosy twin or super-king beds, a minibar, woodburning stove and transparent windows with views that stretch over 60 miles (don’t worry, there are curtains for when you want a bit of privacy). You’ll also get to enjoy breakfast, afternoon tea and three-course dinners in the romantic Jane’s Dome, meet inquisitive alpacas and explore the local surroundings as you please. It’s like having a little piece of North Yorkshire to yourself for a few days – pure bliss!

7. Make lots of family memories

Hull

Child-friendly attractions are definitely not in short supply in Yorkshire. Home to 5,000 underwater animals, The Deep is one of the world’s most spectacular aquariums. Built inside a futuristic building overlooking the Humber Estuary (you may have seen it on a Royal Mail stamp!), the aquarium houses all sorts of sea creatures from jellyfish to seahorses. Visit the Lagoon of Light, with its array of colourful

Images top to bottom: The Private Hill, The Black Swan Oldstead, The Deep and Lost Earth Adventures. fish and coral, get a glimpse into the underwater world of nurse and touch sub-zero walls in the Kingdom of Ice, home to penguins.

8. Indulge in culinary creations

Oldstead

Gourmet grub is plentiful in Yorkshire, meaning you never have to look far for something good to eat. The Michelinstarred Black Swan at Oldstead, for example, is a top-notch fine-dining restaurant in a tiny village on the edge of the North York Moors. It’s been owned and run by the Banks family since its inception and its head chef, Tommy Banks, also has a sister restaurant, Roots, in York. The tasting menu changes based on what’s available in the garden or can be foraged. Expect plates like scallops with squash and bacon, and damson brandy treacle tart, all washed down with a plum sangria.

9. Dive head first into adventure

Yorkshire Dales

Get your adrenaline pumping with a gorging and canyoning activity in the Yorkshire Dales. Lost Earth Adventures host two high-octane packages in the western Dales by Beezley Falls, and in the eastern Dales close to Nidderdale. You and your group will have the chance to get hands-on exploring ancient gorges carved out over millions of years, jumping off boulders, scrambling up waterfalls, sliding down rock chutes and taking on ziplines on this epic adventure activity, all in the beautiful surroundings of a national park.

Please note: There are varying restrictions in place across England to help reduce the spread of coronavirus. Please be sure to check the Know before you go page as well as individual attractions’ websites before travelling.