Your guide to York / Day Trips nearby York
Day trips - nearby York
York's city centre is a place that offers a one of a kind visit, but if you feel like getting out there to explore the surrounding areas, York can also serve as a nice base. You can visit true natural beauty and visit quaint small towns where time slows down. Here are some interesting day trips around Yorkshire you can easily try.
Less Than an Hour of Travel Time
Easygoing Visit to Bishopthorpe
The village of Bishopthorpe is less than an hour's drive away from York, which makes it an easy day trip to take if you want a quick round trip from York. It is home to Bishopthorpe Palace, a grand estate and historic house that is the home of the Archbishop of York. The history of the mansion dates back to 1226 when the Archbishop Walter de Grey bought the area and rebuilt the house over the years.
Bishopthorpe Palace: Palace Flats
The Woodman: 16 Main Street
Take a Look at Kilburn White Horse
Drive toward North York Moors National Park to take a look at a huge white horse on the side of a hill. The figure was carved by locals in nearby villages around 1857, and it still stands to this day. The relatively short trip to see the large horse on the hill is definitely worth the drive.
White Horse: Low Town Bank Road
1-2 Hours of Travel Time
Take in Some Fresh Air in Bolton Abbey
If you are looking for a bit of nature, history and a family-friendly chance to have a picnic, Bolton Abbey has all of this about an hour's distance from York. Spanning over 30,000 acres and 80 miles of walking trails in the forest or by the river, Bolton Abbey offers plenty of exploring to do for the day. You can also visit the ruins of Priory, a majestic medieval church. Once you feel hungry, have a picnic on the grass or pamper yourself to a cup of tea or coffee in a cafe.
Bolton Abbey: Skipton
The Tea Cottage: Skipton
Walk Some Trails at The Yorkshire Dales National Park
York is the base to be in to spend some time in Yorkshire Dales National Park. The park is home to many small villages with stone homes where you can find authentic local food and drinks from a brewery. If you feel like strapping on some hiking boots or riding on two wheels, there are many trails to choose from. When you finish taking in the trails, make sure to stop by the many eateries or breweries to end the day.
Yorkshire Dales: Dales
Black Sheep Brewery: Wellgarth House, Wellgarth Court, Crosshills, Ripon
Visit the Quaint Town of Hawes
Hawes is one of the many villages with stone houses located within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Less than a two-hour drive from York, the town is famous for its Wensleydale Creamery, which makes the Wensleydale Cheese made famous by television characters Wallace and Gromit. Hawes' cheese making industry traces its origins to French monks who settled here and now includes such creative variations as deep-fried cheese.
Wensleydale Creamery: Gayle Lane
Dales Countryside Museum: Burtersett Rd
Head to the Coast in Whitby
Drive through the North York Moors National Park and head to the Yorkshire coastline in the town of Whitby. Try some fish and chips in the varied restaurants found in town and relish the ocean breeze. Whitby owns a place in history as the town where Captain Cook learned the trade that helped him circumnavigate the globe. You can visit Whitby Abbey, ancient ruins that were home to the first English poet know by name, Caedmon.
Whitney Abbey: Abbey Lane
Trenchers: New Quay Road
Get Creative in Ilkley Moor
Considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the Yorskshire area, Ilkley Moor is a short distance from the edge of Yorkshire Dales National Park. The moor is famous as being the place of inspiration for the unofficial anthem of Yorkshire "On Ilkla Moor Baht 'at" believed to have been composed by a local church choir from Halifax, England. The rocks scattered throughout also bear carved markings dating from the Bronze Age.
Ilkley Moor: Rombald's Moor
Airedale Heifer: Bradford Road, Riddlesden
There are plenty of York day trips you can take that are one to two hours away. If you are feeling like exploring the true nature of Yorkshire, whether it be national parks or coastal towns, you can find what you want to visit for your day trip.