North Yorkshire Accommodation Guide
Whilst all counties in the United Kingdom have fascinating histories, Yorkshire’s story is arguably the most interesting. It is no surprise therefore that Yorkshire as a whole attracts over 100 million day trippers every year. Nearly 15 million people stay for at least one night and these include approximately 1.5 million tourists from overseas.
Yorkshire is split into four administrative areas, the largest being North Yorkshire. It is one of four counties to bear the name ‘Yorkshire’, the others being: South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and East Yorkshire. East Yorkshire retains its earlier name ‘East Riding Of Yorkshire’ in reference to its bygone era under Danish rule.
In addition to facing the three other administrative areas of Yorkshire, North Yorkshire borders County Durham in the North, Cumbria to the northwest and Lacashire to the west. Its eastern border lies on the North sea coast making it lie on roughly the same latitude as Denmark.
In this brief tourist guide to North Yorkshire, we will provide our recommendations for accommodation and list the county’s key attractions. We will also provide some key tourist information about North Yorkshire and provide a brief overview of the county’s history.
Approximately 40% of North Yorkshire’s land area falls within two National Parks, those being the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors. This is quite remarkable when you consider the land area of North Yorkshire; it is England’s largest non-metropolitan county.
The historic city of York lies in the south of the county and it has played a significant role in numerous conflicts through the ages. A former Roman stronghold, York was attacked by the vikings by the Great Heathen Army on 1 November 866 led by the Vikings kings Halfdan and Ivar the Boneless.
There began a period of Danelaw, granted in a truce by King Alfred of Wessex which drew an imaginary line from London to Bedford and then up to Chester. It was England’s first north-south divide. Visitors to York can still gain a glimse into what life was like in York during Viking times by visiting the incredible Jorvik musem in the city centre.
York also played a significant role during the Norman Conquest (1066 – 1075), in the War of the Roses between 1455 and 1487 (for details please visit our page on West Yorkshire), the English Civil War (1642 to 1651) and the Second World War (1939 – 1945).
From large spa towns such as Harrogate in the west of the county, to charming market towns and picturesque villages such as Northallerton, Thirsk and Great Ayton, visitors to North Yorkshire have much to explore and also climb! The highest point in North Yorkshire is Whernside (736 metres – 2,415 feet) which lies on the Cumbrian border.
Please note: there are no major airports in the county itself, but nearby airports include Newcastle, Leeds Bradford, Doncaster Sheffield and Teesside International. York can easily be accessed by both road and rail however.
North Yorkshire / Tourist Information
- County Town: Northallerton
- Land Area: 8,053 km2 (3,109 square miles)
- Population: 618,054 (2019)
- Population Density: 77/km2 (200 / square miles)
- Average Temperature: (Summer 20 °C)
- Days Of Rain: Dry for 162 days a year
Best Attractions In North Yorkshire
Aysgarth Falls: A product of the last ice age, Aysgarth Falls are one of the finest waterfalls in the entire United Kingdom. Part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this triple flight of waterfalls drops over 30 metres across a mile long stretch of river (the River Ure). As its name suggests, Aysgarth Falls is located near the village of Aysgarth and the falls have their own visitor centre called the Aysgarth Falls National Park Centre.
Jorvik Viking Centre: Tread in the footsteps of famous Vikings such as Ivar the Boneless and Halfdan Ragnarsson by visiting this fascinating museum in the centre of York. Discover the sights, smells and sounds of a large Viking settlement as it would have been in the 9th century. Thanks to York’s oxygen free soil on which it is built, the Jorvik Centre has some of the best preserved artefacts from a Viking settlement anywhere in the world.
Whitby: Whitby claims to make the best fish and chips in the world! But there is far more to this working fishing town than a large number of fish and chip shops! Whitby has a lovely stretch of sandy beach and also the famous Whitby Abbey. This former 7th-century Christian monastery that later became a Benedictine abbey was confiscated by Henry VIII as part of the Dissolution of the Monasteries (1536 to 1545) and left to decay. The ruins of the abbey provided inspiration for Bram Stoker’s fictitious book ‘Dracula’ who came ashore by the Whitby headland and ran up to the
Best Accommodation In North Yorkshire
Adventure Cottage (Whitby): 
Centrally located in West Cliff (Whitby), this tastfully restored cottage is the perfect based from which to explore the North Yorkshire coast and its many treasures. Sleeping 6 people across 3 bedrooms, this is a superb choice for larger families or a group of friends. From here you are close to North Yorkshire’s main coastal attractions including Scarborough, Filey and Robin Hood’s Bay.
Rudby Hall (Skutterskelfe near Hutton Rudby): If you are looking to hire a stately home for your own private use, Rudby Hall should be at the top of your short-list. Built for the daughter of King William in 1838, the main rooms of the house can only be described as palatial. Whatever the occasion, this magnificent house is guaranteed to wow your guests! Three different sections of the main house can be hired together or separately. In total, the accommodation can sleep up to 32 people.
Stay In Britain is the ultimate guide to places to stay and things to do in Great Britain. Whether you are looking for a luxury self-catering cottage, a cheap B&B for a weekend stay, a short break in a caravan park or a business-friendly hotel in the North Yorkshire area, we have everything you need. Enjoy your stay in Britain!
