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The Best Places to Stay in Yorkshire
Deciding on the best places to stay in Yorkshire? We've got you covered! Enjoy a holiday along the North Yorkshire coast - offering beautiful sandy beaches, glorious countryside, award-winning restaurants and wonderful walks.
The Yorkshire Coast boasts pretty villages and so much to see and do, making it an ideal holiday destination for all ages. Keep reading to discover our favourite places to stay in Yorkshire…
Places to Stay in Yorkshire
There are plenty of amazing places to stay in Yorkshire. From the North Yorks Moors to the picturesque coast. Further inland there are wondrous places to visit – the magnificent Yorkshire Dales, and the stunning ancient walled city of York with its 1000-year-old York Minster, cobbled streets, charming tea rooms and superb shops.
Whatever your interests, Yorkshire provides an unrivalled location for a fabulous holiday with plenty of things to do in Yorkshire for the whole family to enjoy.
There are elegant spa towns such as Harrogate and cosmopolitan cities like Leeds. For culture lovers, there are theatres and stately homes such as Harewood House and Castle Howard.
Fancy a day at the races? There are several superb racecourses including York, Ripon, Catterick and Doncaster. We also have wildlife parks, theme parks and marine parks, with Sea Life at Scarborough and The Deep at Hull offering great family entertainment, whilst providing a rescue centre for marine life.
Here are our favourite places to stay in Yorkshire…
1. The Yorkshire Coast
From sandy Blue Flag beaches to working harbours, from atmospheric abbeys to quaint coastal villages, and from bustling seaside resorts to quiet deserted bays, the stunning Yorkshire Coast has something for everyone, with a wide choice of holiday cottages in Yorkshire to choose from.
Surfing at Sandsend, fossil hunting at Staithes, exploring the rock pools at Runswick Bay, long lazy afternoons on the beach at Robin Hood’s Bay, a donkey ride on the beach at Scarborough, a steam train ride from Whitby to Pickering through “Heartbeat” countryside, bird spotting at RSPB Bempton Cliffs and exploring Flamborough Head Lighthouse – never again hear the dreaded words “I’m bored”.
With charming seaside resorts including Saltburn-by-the-Sea, Whitby, Scarborough, Filey and Bridlington waiting to be explored, this is the ideal British holiday destination – the Yorkshire Coast. Discover more things to do in Bridlington and enjoy a seaside holiday to remember.
2. The North York Moors
Hiking in the North York Moors is one of our favourite days out in North Yorkshire.
The North York Moors National Park was established as a National Park in 1952. Home to picturesque moorland, idyllic coasts and enchanting forests, The North York Moors is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and those looking for a country getaway in Yorkshire.
We have some stunning walks in the North York Moors. So, whether you’re looking for a coastal explore or a family walk through North Riding Forest Park, there’s something for everyone.
Not forgetting our cosy country pubs in North Yorkshire, providing the ideal base to rest and refuel after a day exploring the great outdoors. Or why not discover the best market days in North Yorkshire for some of the best local produce around.
3. Runswick Bay
The exclusive village of Runswick shelters at the northern end of a beautiful sandy beach, protected by high cliffs. Narrow paths wind between the picturesque cottages and houses with small colourful gardens. The thatched property on the seafront is believed to be one of the last remaining thatched houses on the Yorkshire coast.
The village appears to cling to the steep hillside. Although seemingly ageless, the complete village was rebuilt in 1682 due to a massive landslip. The village offers a camping and caravan site, two hotels, restaurants, cafés, public house serving bar meals, a church and picnic area. A regular bus service connects into Whitby.
The wide sandy bay is a favourite for families and for yachtsmen – The Bay has a thriving yacht club situated right on the beach.
4. Whitby
One of the most picturesque ports in England, Whitby and its harbour is dominated by the cliff top ruined Abbey. The narrow alleys and quaint streets meander down to the busy quay, with its harbourside houses and small shops filled with crafts, curios, Whitby Jet and antiques.
Climb the famous 199 steps up to the parish Church of St Mary, one of the finest Anglo Saxon churches in the country, featuring carved pews made by ship’s carpenters and craftsmen from Whitby’s once-booming whaling fleet.
The town is famous for its associations with the Dracula tale – visit the Dracula Experience; its world-renowned Jet industry and of course for being the home port of Captain Cook. However, the town now offers a wide range of excellent restaurants and bars and many quality shops.
The town hosts many annual events and festivals, including the famous Whitby Gothic Weekends. Starting in 1994, they have since grown into one of the most popular goth events in the world, attracting the best-dressed Goths from across the UK and even around the world. The weekends are held annually around March and November.
5. Scarborough
Britain’s first seaside resort has been welcoming visitors for over 360 years and is still as popular as ever.
You’ll find plenty of things to see and do in Scarborough. The resort offers first-class attractions such as the award-winning Sea Life Marine Sanctuary, Scarborough Open Air Theatre, Scarborough Art Gallery and the refurbished Rotunda Museum. Scarborough is also home to many festivals including Seafest, Jazz, Bike Week, Scarborough Fayre and the Scarborough Cricket Festival, providing you with year-round events.
Visit the imposing ruins of Scarborough Castle, guarding both North and South bays, and learn more of its 2500yr history.
Scarborough boasts many quality restaurants, each serving a variety of fresh local produce. The restaurants cater for all tastes with everything from seafood and a la carte establishments to Italian, Greek, Indian, Chinese and Thai cuisine.
For the golfer on holiday, Scarborough offers two excellent and contrasting courses, imaginatively called North Cliff Golf Club, and South Cliff Golf Club.
6. Staithes
Once the largest fishing port on the North East Coast is now a picturesque, unspoiled village with a thriving artist community, for which it is becoming increasingly renowned. Having checked out the galleries, and when exhausted from fossil hunting perhaps it will be time for a refreshing drink sat outside the Cod & Lobster Inn overlooking the bay? Or take a leisurely lunch at The Clevelend Corner Bistro.
7. Sandsend
The unspoiled village of Sandsend is, as the name suggests, at the end of a three-mile-long beach stretching into Whitby. Nestling under the Kettleness cliffs to the north, the village boasts a wonderful sandy beach with fossil-rich rock pools and a beck running across the sands forming a natural child-friendly paddling pool.
For food you are spoiled for choice – from the two AA Rosette Estbek House restaurants, through the Hart Inn, serving first-class pub meals to the excellent Sandside and Wits End Cafes the choice is yours. The Sandsend Stores is well stocked with everything from daily newspapers to quality local produce.
Here you can even sign up for lessons at the Sandsend Surf School – go home with a new skill.
8. Filey
Filey is a quaint Edwardian seaside resort boasting a 5 mile sandy, award-winning beach. The town retains an elegant feel, full of old-world charm with many attractive award-winning parks and gardens, and offers many appealing tea rooms and restaurants.
The northern end of the bay is protected by the huge rocky outcrop known as Filey Brigg, with its fascinating nature trail. Surfing, fishing, yachting, golf, walking and bird watching are just a few of the activities available in Filey.
Filey has a great range of events taking place throughout the year, from summertime brass band concerts to major town festivals. A firm favourite with visitors is the annual Filey Edwardian Festival, a week-long look at life in bygone days. Strawberry teas served by ladies in period costume, Punch and Judy shows, barrel organs, brass bands and processions – the summer holidays of your grandparents…
9. Saltburn-by-the-Sea
Saltburn-by-the-Sea has maintained much of the charm of a typical Victorian seaside resort with its pier, the colourful Italian Gardens and walks through Riftswood. Saltburn boasts the oldest water balanced cliff tramway in Britain that is still in operation, linking the town with the pier below – the only surviving pleasure pier on the Northeast coast.
There is ample parking near the beach where the old fishing village straddles Skelton Beck. The Ship Inn remains as a focal point and is steeped in smuggling history. Take a walk along part of the Cleveland Way up to Huntcliff, once the site of a Roman Signal Station.
Want to find out more about these wonderful places to stay in Yorkshire? Find out exactly what Yorkshire is famous for or check out our article on the best seaside towns in Yorkshire.