10 Free Things to do in North Yorkshire That You Shouldn't Miss

June 2, 2021 Flossie Demartino

Discover the best top things to do in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom including Ingleborough, Malham Cove, Wainwright's Coast-to-Coast Walk, Roseberry Topping, National Railway Museum, Shambles, Cleveland Way National Trail, Brimham Rocks, York City Walls, Ripon Cathedral.
Restaurants in North Yorkshire

1. Ingleborough

Yorkshire Dales National Park, Settle England +44 15242 41256 http://www.oldhillinn.co.uk
Excellent
78%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
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0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 234 reviews

Ingleborough

Reviewed By sheffieldeats - Sheffield, United Kingdom

Seen from the top of Pen y Ghent and knowing that in about 6-8 hours you will be looking up at its vast bulk, takes some beating mixed emotions! Variety of terrain on the approach in, followed by a relatively short scramble up. Take your time and watch where you put your feet! Your respect for the mountain will be rewarded.

2. Malham Cove

Malham, Yorkshire Dales National Park England http://www.yorkshiredales.org.uk/visit-the-dales/discover-the-dales/limestone-features/malham-cove
Excellent
85%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
1%
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0%
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,484 reviews

Malham Cove

Reviewed By ncutts

Not my first visit, but the first time back in decades. Just as stunning as I remember it being, right from the first views at the bottom of the cove. Well worth the climb to the top if you’re fit enough - we enjoyed a lovely picnic once up and great views, plus the limestone pavement is best seen up close from the top and can’t really be viewed any other way. Shame on those tourists who think it’s OK to push their litter in among the rocks. :( just take it home!! It’s lighter when you’ve eaten the contents so much easier and more compact to carry!!! Lovely flora and fauna to be seen along the walk. It’s also nice to continue and make it a circular walk if you have time, returning via Goredale Scar. The walk was quieter away from the cove too. Pity there were a few people who seemed totally unaware of social distancing and ploughed their way through, but for the most part, people were courteous and willing to wait at gates, narrow parts etc. It’s a stunning natural feature and a must if visiting the area.

3. Wainwright's Coast-to-Coast Walk

England http://www.coastto.co.uk/
Excellent
95%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
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5.0 based on 178 reviews

Wainwright's Coast-to-Coast Walk

Reviewed By lawyerrambling - Glendale, United States

Signed on with C2C in Kirkby Steven to do the first two-thirds of the walk (solo) in early June. Cannot praise the walk enough. Even this portion (of roughly 120 miles) offered a cross-section with coastal bluffs the first day, lakes and peaks through the Lake District, moors across Westmoreland, hills through the Pennines, dales in Yorkshire, villages in the Lake District and market towns (Kirkby Steven and Richmond). I took a slow pace and an extra night in Grasmere and the pace is such that, time permitting, an extra day every three days or so is welcome. (I wish I'd allowed an extra night in Kirkby Steven). The accommodations proved excellent (guest houses and B&Bs mostly) and the food was a pleasant surprise.

4. Roseberry Topping

Newton-under-Roseberry, Middlesbrough England +44 7808 159969 http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/roseberry-topping/
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
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5.0 based on 752 reviews

Roseberry Topping

Reviewed By Jamieboy1234567

If you can manage the walk this amazing Middlesbrough landmark is one to visit for sure. There a small town nearby with a convenience store to grab a picnic before you head up to... just make sure you bring walking boots ????

5. National Railway Museum

Leeman Road, York YO26 4XJ England 03330 161 010 [email protected] http://www.railwaymuseum.org.uk/
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
4%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18,169 reviews

National Railway Museum

FREE ENTRY Home to iconic locomotives and an unrivalled collection of engineering brilliance, we celebrate the past, present and future of innovation on the railways. Dedicated to igniting our visitors’ curiosity about the people, places and engineering marvels behind the railways, we put our passion for amazing stories into everything we do.

Reviewed By andrewmR3427OB

Excellent museum free entry or you can put a voluntary donation toward the upkeep of the locos and museum lots to do and very informative.There are different talks on various subjects of railwayana.The museum has 3 large halls film of locos and railwayana there are also viewing platforms where you can see staff working on different locos.You can easily spend all day here there is a resteraunt and shops well worth a visit

6. Shambles

11 Shambles, York YO1 7LZ England +44 1904 500750 [email protected] http://www.shamblesyork.com
Excellent
61%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 15,601 reviews

Shambles

Shambles (or The Shambles as it is often referred to) is a street in the city centre of York with a long and interesting past. Dating back to Medieval times it was once the street of the butcher shops. Today the Shambles is Europe's most visited street, attracting tourists, shoppers and business clients.

Reviewed By Gailpe

Beautiful and busy It’s a Harry Potter fans heaven There’s also lots of odd little quirky shops with unusual gifts to be had A small market square is tucked away with lots of hand crafted gifts The old buildings add to the nostalgia of this pretty shopping area

7. Cleveland Way National Trail

North York Moors National Park England http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/cleveland-way
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 133 reviews

Cleveland Way National Trail

Reviewed By LauraT404 - Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

We started walking the Cleveland Way in July from the start/end point in Helmsley near the carpark. The walk begins at a triangular stone sculpture carved with the name of the walk and the national trail acorn logo. We walked a stretch most weekends and finished early September. The Cleveland Way ends in Filey at a similar, larger, triangular stone sculpture. Day 1: Helmsley to Sutton Bank (18.81kms) Day 2: Sutton Bank to Osmotherley (19.46kms) Day 3: Osmotherley to Clay Bank (19.57kms) Day 4: Clay Bank to Captain Cook’s Monument (19.79kms) Day 5: Captain Cook’s Monument to Saltburn (21.08kms) Day 6: Saltburn to Sandsend (29.3kms) Day 7: Sandsend to Ravenscar (24.79kms) Day 8: Ravenscar to Filey (34.1kms) I enjoyed following the white acorn signposts all along the Cleveland Way, it felt almost like a treasure trail :-) Paths varied so much from flat stone paths, bumpy pebble paths, grass, mud, the occasional stretch along a tarmac road and everything in between! Walking through fields, woods, across moorlands, many bridges and then along the coast with the many ups and downs and occasional boardwalks. We were blessed with lovely weather on 6 of our 8 days and took many AMAZING photos. The first half of the Cleveland Way is more varied with regards to scenery, the second half is entirely coastal with only the occasional short detour slightly inland to go through a woodland valley. The coastal views are spectacular! But so are the open moorland stretches! Every day was a delight and I am so glad we had the opportunity to experience the English countryside in all its glory, and right on our doorstep too! I've reviewed the different locations we passed through on our mammoth hike separately, see other reviews for more information. I couldn't pick a favourite part of our hike, as each day was so different! But I would recommend anyone with reasonable fitness to take the time to experience our beautiful countryside.

8. Brimham Rocks

Summerbridge, Harrogate HG3 4DW England +44 1423 780688 [email protected] http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brimhamrocks
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
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1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,406 reviews

Brimham Rocks

An amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations: a great day out for families, climbers and those who love the outdoors.

Reviewed By FrequentFlier809627

Superb for all the family. Plenty of marked (disabled accessible) paths & lots of rocks to climb. There's really nowhere else like it. Be sure to see the Dancing Bear rock (above the visitor centre) &, just a little further on, the Balancing Rock. Make sure you visit the snack bar (check opening days) and try the hot sausage rolls - the best sausage rolls you've ever had! There's a large area of picnic tables by the snack bar so feel free to bring your own picnic. Parking, at the entrance, is extensive (free for NT members) with disabled spaces; Parking gets busy on fine weekends, school holidays & Bank holidays so try to arrive before 11.00 on sunny days!

9. York City Walls

York YO1 7HB England +44-1904-621756 [email protected] http://www.yorkwalls.org.uk/?page_id=3697
Excellent
61%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
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4.5 based on 9,565 reviews

York City Walls

No visit to York is complete without a stroll along part of the 2 miles of historic walls that have protected the city for nearly 2000 years. The walls are completely free to walk, however bespoke guided tours can be booked with your own personal tour guide, meeting you at a time and place to suit you, and showing you the extensive hidden history to be found along the walls.

Reviewed By MKing1982 - Colchester, United Kingdom

One of the best preserved city walls we've been to. Well maintained and well marked - the York city wall walk provides a great progression around the city with plenty to look at (both old and new). The walk is atop the walls themselves and along the kings' pond/moat. The walk goes past the Minster and Shambles for a quick detour. Although there are benches along the walk, the wall portion requires the use of stairs. May be a consideration.

10. Ripon Cathedral

Minster Road Liberty Court House, Ripon HG4 1QT England +44 1765 603462 [email protected] http://www.riponcathedral.org.uk
Excellent
71%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,662 reviews

Ripon Cathedral

Ripon Cathedral traces its history back to its foundation by St Wilfrid in 672AD. The Anglo-Saxon crypt of St Wilfrid's church remains and is open to visitors. Choral evensong takes place Tuesday to Friday at 6pm and Sundays at 3.30pm. Details of all services may be found on our website. We are open to visitors daily throughout the year and entry is free, though we rely on generous donations to continue this practice. Most of the building is wheelchair accessible with the exception of the Library and the Anglo-Saxon crypt. There is a touch-screen computer interpretation of the crypt at ground level for those unable to access it.

Reviewed By 466nickyl - Bury, United Kingdom

What a beautiful building this is in such a nice city, the best part is to visit the crypt - just amazing - lots of information available and a cute little gift shop too, worth the suggested £3 donation

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