HISTORIC YORKSHIRE

Founded by the Romans in AD 71 as Eboracum, York soon became a major imperial centre, so influential that Constantine the Great was proclaimed Emperor here in AD 306. Centuries later, Viking settlers stormed the city, renaming it Jorvik and establishing a powerful trading hub whose legacy still echoes through modern York. 

By the Middle Ages, York had risen to become England’s second city, its wealth and importance embodied in the mighty York Minster, a cathedral 250 years in the making and home to the largest stretch of medieval stained glass in the country. The surrounding city walls, still tracing the shape of the ancient settlement, remain the most complete medieval walls in England. 

Now a vibrant cultural destination, York beautifully blends its heritage with modern charm: The Shambles: A perfectly preserved medieval street of timber‑framed buildings dating back to the 14th century. JORVIK Viking Centre: Built on real archaeological discoveries, offering an immersive journey into York’s Viking past. York Castle & Clifford’s Tower: Norman power and medieval intrigue, standing guard since the 11th century. National Railway Museum: Celebrating York’s pivotal role in Britain’s railway revolution, today the world’s largest railway museum. 

With over 2,000 years of history, York invites visitors to walk through time on its cobbled streets, beneath its ancient city walls . York isn’t just historic, it’s atmospheric. The winding Snickelways, riverside views along the Ouse, and centuries of legends earn it a reputation as one of the most haunted cities in Europe. And with festivals celebrating its Roman, Viking, and medieval heritage, the past here isn’t something you read about, it’s something you feel.

  Harrogate’s story began in the late 16th century, when the discovery of chalybeate and sulphur springs—starting with Tewit Well, identified by William Slingsby in 1571—transformed this rural hamlet into a fashionable haven for health‑seekers. By the 17th and 18th centuries, visitors from across Europe flocked here to “take the waters,” believing the iron‑ and sulphur‑rich springs could cure their ailments. The influx of wealthy travellers helped Harrogate blossom into “The English Spa.” 

This golden age of spa culture left Harrogate with its iconic landmarks: The Royal Pump Room (1842) – once the beating heart of Victorian spa life, now a museum celebrating the town’s mineral heritage. The Turkish Baths – one of the finest surviving Victorian steam baths in Europe, showcasing exquisite Moorish‑inspired interiors. The Royal Baths (1897) – a symbol of Harrogate’s opulence during its spa‑town peak. As its fame spread, Harrogate expanded rapidly. The Georgian era gifted the town graceful civic buildings, while the Victorian period brought luxurious hotels, theatres, and beautifully planned public spaces. The town’s sweeping promenades, leafy avenues, and elegant architecture still carry the charm of its aristocratic past. 

At its heart is The Stray, a 200‑acre protected parkland established by Act of Parliament in 1770—an open green oasis that frames the town with natural beauty. 

Harrogate became a magnet for artists, authors, and socialites, its quiet luxury offering both retreat and inspiration. Even Agatha Christie famously sought refuge here during her mysterious 1926 disappearance.

Surrounded by the Yorkshire countryside and enriched with centuries of spa heritage, Harrogate blends old‑world charm with contemporary luxury—offering visitors a graceful escape where history whispers from every spring, street, and stone.

  Beverley’s story begins in the Anglian kingdom of Northumbria, where John of Beverley established a church in what was then called Inderawuda, “in the wood of the men of Deira.” After his death and canonisation in 1037, the town became a revered place of pilgrimage, drawing visitors from across England seeking the saint’s miracles. 

By the Middle Ages, Beverley had become a bustling market and wool‑trading town, once ranking as the eleventh-largest settlement in England. Its markets and fairs flourished under royal charters, many of which survive in tradition today. Medieval guilds thrived here too—now celebrated on the town’s Heritage Trail. 

At the heart of the town rises Beverley Minster, one of Europe’s most magnificent Gothic buildings. Rebuilt from 1220 onward after earlier structures were lost to Viking attacks and a great fire, the Minster remains a masterpiece of medieval artistry with stunning stained glass and intricate carvings. Across town stands St Mary’s Church, another landmark of centuries‑long craftsmanship. 

Framing its historic core is North Bar, one of the UK’s last surviving medieval town gates, still standing proudly since the 15th century—an unforgettable entrance into Beverley’s storybook streets. 

Beverley’s heritage continues through its: Thriving markets dating back to ancient royal charters, still held weekly in the historic squares. Westwood Pasture, home to free‑grazing cattle and protected as common land for centuries—offering vast green views right from the town’s edge. Guildhall and historic Friary, testament to the town’s civic and religious life spanning centuries. 

Today, Beverley’s cobbled lanes, Georgian houses, artisan shops, and lively festivals create an atmosphere where the past enriches the present. Visitors discover a town proudly preserving its legacy while offering boutique shopping, cultural events, and elegant eateries in one of the top towns to live and visit in the UK.

Fountains Abbey – Step Into Centuries of Beauty and Wonder!

Discover one of England’s largest and best‑preserved Cistercian monasteries, founded in 1132 and now part of the stunning Studley Royal Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Wander through majestic abbey ruins, explore the sweeping Georgian water gardens, and soak in the tranquillity of peaceful lakes, woodland, and breathtaking viewpoints. 

From towering stone arches to serene riverside paths and a historic medieval deer park home to red, fallow, and sika deer, every corner invites awe. Whether you’re here for history, photography, a relaxing stroll, or a family day out, Fountains Abbey offers an unforgettable escape into Yorkshire’s most atmospheric landscape

Discover the breathtaking serenity of Rievaulx Abbey, one of England’s most complete and atmospheric Cistercian ruins, set in a tranquil wooded valley in the North York Moors. Founded in 1132, this once‑powerful monastery grew into one of Britain’s wealthiest religious houses, home to hundreds of monks and lay brothers devoted to a life of prayer, skill, and ingenuity. 

Wander through vast, soaring arches and intricate stonework that tell a 900‑year story of devotion, craftsmanship, and dramatic rise and fall. Explore the interactive museum packed with medieval artefacts, delve into the abbey’s remarkable engineering feats—like the monks’ reshaping of the River Rye—and uncover tales of monastic life through audio tours and exhibits. 

With peaceful views, a welcoming visitor centre, and a cosy café serving local treats overlooking the ruins, Rievaulx Abbey offers the perfect blend of history, beauty, and tranquillity—a truly unforgettable Yorkshire escape.

Perched high on the East Cliff above the seaside town of Whitby, Whitby Abbey is a hauntingly beautiful ruin with soaring Gothic arches and sweeping views over the North Sea. Once home to St Hild’s 7th‑century monastery and later a great medieval abbey, this iconic landmark has inspired poets, painters, pilgrims—and even Bram Stoker’s Dracula, earning Whitby its title as England’s “Goth capital.” 

Stroll through the dramatic clifftop ruins, explore the interactive visitor centre and museum filled with stories, artifacts, and animations, and uncover legends such as Caedmon the poet, snake‑turned‑stone myths, Viking devastation, and the abbey bells said to echo beneath the waves. Every corner reveals centuries of wonder. 

Ascend the famous 199 steps from the harbour or wander the gentler cliff path to reach Whitby’s most atmospheric viewpoint—perfect for unforgettable photographs, coastal walks, and family adventures. With myth‑laden history, dramatic scenery, and year‑round events, Whitby Abbey is a place where imagination comes alive