Discover Royal Yorkshire
In partnership with Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee
Foreword Yorkshire’s relationship with royalty has been long, sometimes close and on occasion troublesome, since it became part of an English kingdom in 954. At times during the middle ages York served as the seat of royal government while England’s kings and queens, princes and princesses resided in Yorkshire’s royal castles. Battles fought on Yorkshire soil determined the crown’s fate at critical junctures such as the Wars of the Roses and the Civil Wars. It has also been a breeding ground for plots and rebellions against the monarch. The rebellion that prompted the ‘harrying of the north’ by William the Conqueror, the ‘pilgrimage of grace’ and the ‘gunpowder plot’ being the most famous of these.
Welcome to Yorkshire, the county with a royal seal of approval dating back centuries. The length and breadth of our wonderful county is blessed with historic palaces and castles, bloody battlefields, romantic retreats and country homes all of which have played host to the modern monarchy and their ancestors. This guide brings together and tells the stories behind Yorkshire’s glorious royal patronage, letting you follow in the footsteps of some of Britain’s most famous kings, queens, princes and princesses. With over 80 sites to explore now is the perfect time to book a royal weekend away.
Although Yorkshire ceased to be a royal county in the modern period, it maintained close links with royalty, the Duchy of Lancaster’s estates bankrolling successive sovereigns while its racecourses and moors provided royal entertainment. Traces of Yorkshire’s royal past can be found across the county if you know where to look. This guide, I hope, will help you to find them and allow you to savour something of royal life, past and present, ancient and modern.
Gary Verity Chief Executive Welcome to Yorkshire
Dr Mark Roodhouse Department of History University of York
Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee 1
Yorkshire’s Royal History Northumbrians and Vikings (604-1066) For large periods since the end of Roman rule in 410 AD Yorkshire has deserved the title royal county. The county witnessed the creation and destruction of British, Northumbrian and Viking kingdoms during the ‘Dark Ages’ that followed the Roman withdrawal. York, former capital of Britannia where the emperors Septimius Severus (211) and Constantius died and Constantius’ son Constantine I was acclaimed emperor (306), was an important seat of royal and ecclesiastical power. From here Erik Bloodaxe ruled the Viking kingdom of Yorvik. The end of his rule in 954 marked the end of Yorkshire royalty.
Bettys Café Tea Rooms Fountains Abbey Studley Royal Great Yorkshire Show goldsborough Hall Knaresborough Castle markenfield hall Mother Shipton’s Cave Newby Hall
norton conyers RHS Garden Harlow Carr Ripley Castle Ripon Cathedral Royal Baths Royal Pump Room Museum st john the baptist, knaresborough
Norman (1066-1154) and Plantagenet (1154-1399) The Anglo-Saxon and Norman kings of England controlled Yorkshire, leaving government in the hands of powerful local lords, visiting the county infrequently until successive wars with Scotland during the thirteenth and early fourteenth centuries made Yorkshire a royal county once again. The county served as a base for campaigning north of the Border with York as the seat of royal power. Parliament met there fifteen times between 1298 and 1335.
Lancaster (1399-1461)
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The Wars of the Roses brought the county to the centre of royal affairs once again. The Yorkist dynasty disputed the Lancastrians’ right to the throne, questioning the legitimacy of the first Lancastrian king, Henry IV, who deposed Richard II – Richard starved to death in Pontefract Castle. Two key battles, temporarily determining the fate of the crown, took place in Yorkshire during the conflict: the Battle of Wakefield (1460) and the Battle of Towton (1461). For much of his life the county was also the home of Richard III, an adopted Yorkshireman.
Tudor (1485-1603) and Stuart (1603-1714) Although strategically important to them, Tudor monarchs did not warm to a county too often associated with rebellions and plots during their reigns. Tellingly Yorkshire’s castles served as open prisons for Elizabeth I’s rival Mary Queen of Scots. With the accession of King James VI of Scotland to the English throne in 1603, effectively uniting the two kingdoms, Yorkshire’s strategic importance waned. Apart from a period of six months in 1642 when Charles I moved to York to escape the London mob, Yorkshire ceased to be a royal county.
Hanover (1714-1901) Although royal ties weakened, they continued. Yorkshire was a source of pleasure and profit for Hanoverian monarchs who came here to race, hunt or shoot while the Yorkshire estates of the Duchy of Lancaster helped to fund the lifestyles of successive monarchs. Yorkshire also provided a quiet spot where the future Edward VII could meet with Lillie Langtry, the most celebrated royal mistress since Nell Gwyn.
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RHS GARDEN HARLOW CARR Crag Lane > Harrogate > North Yorkshire > HG3 1QB > SatNav HG3 1UE > 01423 565418 > rhs.org.uk/harlowcarr Winner of Yorkshire’s Large Visitor Attraction of the Year Award 2010. One of Yorkshire’s most relaxing and surprising gardens at the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. Wander through tranquil surroundings and find inspiration from the innovative and dramatic planting. Stroll along the streamside garden and woodland, explore the gardens through time; linger in the scented garden and take practical ideas from the kitchen garden. Year round events include workshops, guided walks, family events and practical gardening demonstrations. Visit the extensive shop and plant centre; get advice for your garden and why not enjoy some delicious treats from the on-site Betty’s Café & Tearooms. RHS REGISTERED CHARITY NO: 222879/SC038262
Hanover (1714-1901) and Windsor (1901 to present) The marriage of Princess Mary, the only daughter of George V, to Henry Lascelles, later 6th Earl of Harewood, in 1922 strengthened the bond between the county and royalty. Princess Mary made Yorkshire her home which brought royal visitors to the county regularly. Links with Yorkshire were further strengthened when Katharine Worsley married the Duke of Kent in 1961 – the first royal wedding to take place at York Minster since Edward III married Philippa of Hainault in 1328. Although a resident of another royal county, Berkshire, Kate Middleton’s marriage to Prince William introduces a strong Yorkshire bloodline into the royal family – a county the Prince knows well from his time spent here when training as an RAF pilot.
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Top places to visit Royal Armouries Museum The arms and armours from the royal houses of Europe and the kings of England have always been the centerpiece of the Royal Armouries collection. At the Leeds museum there are over 8,000 national treasures on display in five fascinating galleries – War, Tournament, Self Defence, Hunting and Oriental – including many objects with special royal connections.
Harewood Explore one of the Treasure Houses of England, with exquisite Adam interiors, Chippendale’s finest furniture, beautiful and inspiring gardens, children’s adventure playground, renowned Bird Garden, excellent café and shops and changing programme of events and exhibitions. In 2012 Harewood is also pleased to be hosting an exhibition from the Royal Collection, ‘Marcus Adams: Royal Photographer’, photographs from the Queen’s childhood, celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr Harlow Carr is a garden dominated by water, stone and woodland and is very much a part of its surrounding Yorkshire landscape and conditions. It seeks to push the boundaries of design and planting styles, creating displays that are beautiful but on occasion, also provocative. Careful gardening techniques reflect their respect for the environment and ensure that flourishing wildlife can also be enjoyed on a visit to the garden. Pick up the latest gardening tips and ideas throughout the seasons, their friendly team of expert gardeners are happy to share their knowledge with you.
Devonshire Arms Situated on the Duke of Devonshire’s 30,000 acre Bolton Abbey Estate in the Yorkshire Dales, the 40 bedroom Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel boasts the 4 AA Rosette, Michelin star Burlington restaurant, the vibrant Devonshire Brasserie and Bar, the Devonshire Health Barn, and 4 adaptable function rooms.
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© Conisborough Castle, South Yorkshire
Discover more at yorkshire.com/royal 5 © Turkish Baths, Harrogate
© Royal Armouries, West Yorkshire
© Robert Kay. Harewood House, West Yorkshire
© Skipton Castle, North Yorkshire
George Clifford 3rd Earl of Cumberland (1558-1605) Lord of Skipton pictured as Queen Elizabeth I Champion. www.skiptoncastle.co.uk 6 © Clifford’s Tower, North Yorkshire
Discover more at yorkshire.com/royal 7 Š Royal Armouries, West Yorkshire
Š Mike Hines Photography, Knaresborough Castle, North Yorkshire
© Beverly Minster, East Yorkshire
© RHS Garden Harlow Carr, North Yorkshire
© Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, North Yorkshire
10 inspirational ways to get to know orkshire Heritage Yorkshire’s heritage includes magnificent ruins and imposing castles. The world famous York Minster towers over the historic city and you can visit Jorvik and experience Viking life! Imagine life as Lord and Lady of the Manor and discover Yorkshire’s many stately homes.
City Life Yorkshire cities such as Leeds and Sheffield offer everything from café culture to clubs, brasseries to ballet and gardens to galleries. You will find some of the best shopping opportunities around from Harvey Nichols to the famous historic Leeds market – you’ll be spoilt for choice!
Delicious Yorkshire’s famed food and drink can be found in abundant quality across the county’s numerous markets, farm shops and restaurants. From Michelin to madras, rhubarb to real ale, cheese to Yorkshire Pudding, Yorkshire is simply delicious! Indulgence Have an indulgent visit to Yorkshire and treat yourself to something special, unusual or downright decadent. Spend an afternoon in the historic Harrogate Turkish Baths followed by a night at a gorgeous country house hotel and dinner at one of Yorkshire’s five Michelin starred restaurants.
Artistic Yorkshire art comprises acclaimed theatre companies, ballet, classical music and modern galleries. Combine the visual delights of Yorkshire’s landscape with the best of outdoor sculpture and visit the world renowned Yorkshire Sculpture Park or visit the famous David Hockney exhibition at Salts Mill in Saltaire.
Yorkshire has it all: seven vibrant cities, three National Parks, miles of golden beaches, two UNESCO World Heritage sites and the world’s only UNESCO City of Film, exciting contemporary and historical attractions, a full calendar of international events, and more Michelin starred restaurants than any other area outside of London.
The Great Outdoors Yorkshire is famous for its countryside – the rolling hills, moors and dales. The National Parks of the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and the Peak District are perfect for walking holidays and the stunning coastline has some of the most popular seaside resorts in the UK.
Sport Yorkshire is passionate about sport and is home to Yorkshire County Cricket Club and many top football and rugby teams. The county is also a perfect place for all outdoor enthusiasts. From the best cross country mountain bike track in the world at Dalby and surfing at Scarborough, to the county’s nine top class race courses.
Family Fun There’s fun for all the family in Yorkshire. Why not step back in time and hop aboard one of our steam trains. Whether it’s the great outdoors, hands-on museums, the adrenalin rush of high ropes and zip wires, bike trails or just having fun on the beach, Yorkshire is perfect for families. Events and Festivals Yorkshire events cover a multitude of themes. For festivals, there is food and drink in the Dales and York, famous ales in Masham and of course many farmers’ markets. Music festivals cover everything from Early Music (Beverley) to rock at the Leeds Festival. Yorkshire Coast The Yorkshire coastline encompasses some of the UK’s most rugged and charming countryside, from tiny fishing villages clinging to rocky cliffs to glorious stretches of white sand and family friendly seaside resorts, with everything from windswept abbeys to the county’s award winning fish and chips. You can expect Blue Flag beaches and a chance to lose yourself in this naturally beautiful destination.
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WHIT
GUISBOROUGH
RICHMOND 20
YORKSHIRE DALES
REETH
NORTH YORK MOORS
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A169
LEYBURN 4 NORTHALLERTON SUTTON BANK
A684
HELMSLEY
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24
HAWES
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MASHAM
A170
PICKERING
A1 THIRSK 29
HORTON-IN-RIBBLESDALE
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MALTON
RIPON
INGLETON
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12 KNARESBOROUGH 64-83
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A59
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 10
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ILKLEY 35
A166
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HARROGATE 20
YORK
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WETHERBY
A658
A65 A629
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HAWORTH
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A1079
OTLEY SALTAIRE
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BRADFORD
A64 A19
LEEDS
SELBY
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33 60 62
A63 HEBDEN BRIDGE HALIFAX
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TODMORDEN
WAKEFIELD
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44
A1
HUDDERSFIELD BARNSLEY 47
53
SCUNTHO
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HOLMFIRTH
DONCASTER 48
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.
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SKIPTON
You can get to Yorkshire by high-speed train from London or Edinburgh in less than two hours with Grand Central and East Coast services. The Midlands is even nearer to Yorkshire’s cities, while TransPennine services offer direct links from the North West and the North East.
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PATELEY BRIDGE 28 MALHAM
Yorkshire by rail
A64
A19
GRASSINGTON SETTLE
Getting here
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PEAK ROTHERHAM DISTRICT
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A57
Yorkshire by air Leeds-Bradford International Airport is our busiest air gateway, with flights from Aberdeen, Belfast, Bristol, Exeter, Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Isle of Man, London Gatwick, Newquay, Plymouth and Southampton. You can also fly to Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield, Humberside Airport and Durham Tees Valley Airport.
SHEFFIELD
KEY Motorways A Roads Rail Routes Airports Heritage Coasts Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty National Parks
For more information go to yorkshire.com/travel
Ferryport
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Discover Royal Yorkshire
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North Yorkshire 1
Allerton Castle, Knaresborough
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25
SCARBOROUGH
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Ripley Castle, Harrogate
54
Bretton Estate, Wakefield
Ripon Cathedral
55
Harewood House, Leeds
30
Royal Baths, Harrogate
56
Harvey Nichols, Leeds
31
Royal Pump Room Museum, Harrogate
57
Keighley & Worth Valley Railway, Haworth
32
Scarborough Castle
58
33
Selby Abbey
National Media Museum, Bradford
34
Sheriff Hutton Castle, Nr York
35
Skipton Castle
Bolton Abbey, Skipton
36
St John The Baptist, Knaresborough
Bolton Castle, Leyburn
5
Bolton Priory, Skipton
37
Stamford Bridge
6
Constable Burton Hall & Gardens, Leyburn
38
Thirsk Racecourse
39
Whitby Abbey
7
Danby Castle, Whitby
8
Devonshire Arms Country House Hotel, Bolton Abbey, Skipton
A614 40
28 29
3
BRIDLINGTON 63
West Yorkshire
Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate
4
41
Richmond Castle
2
FILEY
A165
27
HORNSEA
East Yorkshire 40
BEVERLEY
A164 46
43 42
HUMBER BRIDGE
Duchy of Lancaster – Pickering to Scarborough
10
11
41
Burton Agnes Hall
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, Ripon
42
Humber Car Museum, Hull
Georgian Theatre Royal, Richmond
43
Keepers Lodge, Brantingham
12
Goldsborough Hall, Knaresbrough
44
Normanby Hall, Scunthorpe
13
Great Yorkshire Show, Harrogate
45
The Royal Hotel, Hull
45
HULL A63
9
WITHERNSEA
A15 A180 RPE
GRIMSBY
CLEETHORPES BRIGG
A18
For more information please contact:
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Hovingham Hall
15
Kiplin Hall, Richmond
0113 322 3500 info@yorkshire.com www.yorkshire.com Follow us on @welcome2yorks Become a fan at facebook /welcometoyorkshire
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Pontefract Castle
60
Royal Armouries, Leeds
61
Sandal Castle, Wakefield
62
Temple Newsam, Leeds
63
Victoria Tower, Huddersfield
York 64
Barley Hall
65
Castle Howard
66
Clifford's Tower
67
Fairfax House
68
Jorvik Viking Centre
69
Kings Manor, The University of York
70
Kings Square
71
Mansion House, St Helen's Square
72
Micklegate Bar
73
Middlethorpe Hall & Spa
74
National Railway Museum
Ye Olde White Hart, Hull
South Yorkshire
75
Richard III Museum
76
St Williams College
16
Knaresborough Castle
47
Cannon Hall, Barnsley
17
Markenfield Hall, Ripon
77
Sutton Park
48
Conisbrough Castle, Doncaster
78
York Theatre Royal Treasurers’ House
18
Welcome to Yorkshire Dry Sand Foundry Foundry Square Holbeck Leeds LS11 5DL
Beverley Minster – St John of Beverley
59
Middleham Castle, Leyburn
49
Mansion House, Doncaster
79
19
Mother Shipton's Cave, Knaresbrough
50
St Leger, Doncaster Racecourse
80
York Racecourse
81
York Minster
20
Mount Grace Priory, Northallerton
51
Tickhill Castle, Doncaster
82
Yorkshire Air Museum
52
Wentworth Castle & Gardens
83
Yorkshire Museum
53
Barnsley
21
Newby Hall, Ripon
22
Norton Conyers, Ripon
23
Nunnington Hall, Nr York
24
Pickering Castle
25
Raven Hall, Scarborough
26
RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Harrogate
Discover more at yorkshire.com/royal 11
Discover Royal Yorkshire
In partnership with Celebrating the Diamond Jubilee