An Introduction to North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is England’s largest county with an area of more than 800,000 hectares to explore. The county is fascinating, and no matter what your interest or time to spare, offers a huge range of activities and attractions

The county is blessed with a diversity of natural wonder and is forntunate to have within its boundaries, two of Britain's  - the North Yorkshire Moors  and the Yorkshire Dales both of which have been brought into people's living rooms across the world the world by the success of television series such as the stories of James Herriot and the Heartbeat adventures.

Along the 45 miles of coastline there is more than the traditional resorts of Scarborough and Filey and Whitby with its Dracula and Captain Cook connections and spectacular ruined abbey, the area also has literary and cultural attractions such as the Stephen Joseph Theatre. The ruins of monasteries scatter the county at places such as Rievaulx, Jervaulx and Fountains Abbey - a World Heritage site.

The Harrogate District is a mixture of beautiful landscapes, flourishing towns, dales villages and heritage sites. The town of Harrogate, has a rich spa history, combined with parks, gardens and floral displays.

Close by is the medieval market town of Knaresborough famous for its 14th Century  ruined castle, its maze of narrow streets and Mother Shiptons Cave. From Pateley Bridge to Masham, the towns and villages of Nidderdale provide the perfect base to explore the magnificent surrounding countryside.

There are also spectacular memories of bygone days in North Yorkshire with magnificent structures which have stood for centuries. Selby Abbey and Ripon Cathedral are two of the finest examples of English architecture to be found anywhere in the world.

North Yorkshire is indeed a land of diversity. For more information about places to visit and accommodation in the county contact the Tourist Information Centres