Location: Yorkshire
Top Things to do in Yorkshire
Top Hotels in Yorkshire
Countries
The 10 Best Things to do Good for a Rainy Day in Yorkshire, England
Yorkshire (/ˈjɔːrkʃər, -ʃɪər/; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a historic county of Northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Due to its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform. Throughout these changes, Yorkshire has continued to be recognised as a geographical territory and cultural region. The name is familiar and well understood across the United Kingdom and is in common use in the media and the military, and also features in the titles of current areas of civil administration such as North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire.
Restaurants in Yorkshire
1. Beverley Minster
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,307 reviews
Beverley Minster is a Church of England Parish Church - the largest in England. Founded in 700 AD, the current building was completed in 1400. On Mondays to Saturdays we are open 9.00 - 5.30 (April - October), and 9.00 - 4.00 (November - March) Sunday worship is at 8.00, 10.30 and 5.30, and the Minster is open in between times. The Shop is open Monday - Saturday. Admission is free. 'Serve yourself' refreshments available. Contact us for details of tours.
Reviewed By Stephen51 - Lytham St Anne's, United Kingdom
Have visited the Minster before but as we were staying in Beverley for a few days we had the opportunity to spend longer exploring this wonderful building and its many artifacts. We were lucky to also manage to get tickets to visit the roof of the building where you can see how the it was constructed and its early and more recent areas of renovation. Our guides on the roof tour were Graham and Sue and they were splendid. There was nothing that they didn't know about this building and spent over an hour ensuring that we all had the opportunity to take photographs and ask as many questions as we liked. They were also a hysterical double act!! We could wax lyrical about the Minster itself but there really is only one way to appreciate it and that is to come and see it for yourselves. It has everything you could ask for including great historical items such as the tomb of Henry Percy and great relics including the grave of St John of York. The Guides in the Minster are super too as they point out all the things that you would miss if you were not aware such as the carved Head of Edward I and his wife the stone musicians and the upside down archer. A real delight! No admission, only donation, which is unusual these days, guides that truly are enthusiastic about your visit and a great little shop too. If you're in the area don't miss it!!
2. Royal Armouries Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,530 reviews
Home for the national collection of arms and armour that features five theme-galleries: War, Tournament, Self-Defense, Hunting, and arms and armour of the Orient.
Reviewed By Jodiedonny
This was a great interesting place with loads of different things to see & do really big place with five floors loads of war weapons and different sections to see, a lot of armour & plenty of places to listen to stories from over time, the museum has many places to sit in the glass front edge to look over the river which was lovely. Great enjoyable day, cafe staff downstairs very friendly & biscuit & cuppa lovely.
3. National Railway Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18,169 reviews
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
4. York Castle Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,316 reviews
Famous for its collections of costume, textiles, military and social history, York Castle Museum brings history back to life. Wander through the Victorian streets, venture into the prison cell of notorious highwayman Dick Turpin and discover what life was like on the front line in the First World War. There's something for everyone at York Castle Museum.
Reviewed By RodD185
This is not a straightforward museum all geared around one theme, instead it has a smorgasbord of themes to explore, peppered with historical curios along the way ( such as the face mask for Oliver Cromwell, next to the opening displays of Georgian and Victorian living quarters ). When we went, these including rooms on toys, fashion, victorian living ( the victorian street is very impressive ), the 60s, and the history of an old debtors prison, amidst nods to York's own history. Obviously, what it has in breadth it loses in depth, but if you want to enjoy a little bit of lots of themes, this is a fine place to feel like you've got your money's worth over 90 minutes - 2 hours.
5. National Science and Media Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,495 reviews
The National Science and Media Museum is a fabulous free museum in Bradford, West Yorkshire devoted to the science and culture of light and sound technologies. Filled with fun educational exhibits, including the state-of-the-art Wonderlab gallery, three cinema screens including the IMAX 3D cinema (charges apply), the museum also hosts events for children and festivals covering animation, retro TV, film and more.The National Science and Media Museum is a fun day out in Bradford for the whole family.
Reviewed By jackharrybill - Haworth, United Kingdom
We were visiting to see 1917 on the IMAX screen. Brilliant to see at that scale. The museum has some good permanent displays and the galleries often have interesting exhibitions to see. Good for kids and families but worth a visit whoever you are.
6. The Piece Hall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,041 reviews
Following a multi-million pound transformation project, Britain's last surviving cloth hall, featuring independent shops, cafes and bars, heritage visitor centre, art gallery and a spectacular events programme is now open seven days a week.
Reviewed By shanu76 - York, United Kingdom
First visit to Halifax as a tourist and the day centred around the Piece Hall. What a wonderful day out and very much recommended to all. Impressive architecture, full of history. Made to feel very welcome by the good people of Halifax with plenty to see and do. We joined a free tour of the Piece Hall and our guide Pamela did a truly superb job of bringing the history to life and showing us around. The work that has been done to restore the Piece Hall is world class. There's great independant shops to visit and several very pleasant places to eat and drink including Gin Lane where we enjoyed a special Espresso Martini and Elder that provided a superb lunch which included catering perfectly for my gluten free dietry needs. Hope to visit again soon!
7. York Minster
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 15,812 reviews
Dating back to medieval times, this splendid Church of England cathedral features magnificent 14th- and 15th-century stained glass, stonework and elaborate tombs.
Reviewed By 354ursulal - Uxbridge, United Kingdom
Have visited york Minster twice now and both times this beautiful building and helpful staff have made it extremely educational and interesting, the tower tour gives exceptional views of a beautiful city and surrounding countryside, a must do for anybody in York.
8. Bronte Parsonage Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,927 reviews
* 17th March - we have closed the museum due to the C-19 outbreak. Check website for the latest information.* The Bronte Parsonage is the former home of the world's most famous literary family and the place where Charlotte, Emily and Anne wrote some of the greatest novels in the English Language. The house evokes the atmosphere of the Brontes' time and offers visitors an unique insight into their day - to - day lives and varied interests. The rooms the Brontes' used are largely unchanged and are filled with a world-class collection of furniture, clothes and personal possessions. Whether you are a fan of the Brontes' writing or simply intrigued by remarkable people and their stories, you will find visiting the Parsonage an absorbing and unforgettable experience. The museum offers an ever-changing programme of exhibitions, events, and activities for the whole family. Listed opening hours reflect first and last entry to the Museum (Last entry 4.30, shop remains open until 5.00pm).
Reviewed By lynnemW5564BU
This is an excellent museum to visit - and not just for Bronte fans - there is plenty to see and occupy the visitor for hours. Bronte fans will find it exceptional - there are many personal items belonging to the Bronte's to look at - its so inspiring and the staff are really passionate about the place - and really helpful too. The surrounding area is good to explore too - including a walk on the moors.
9. Kelham Island Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 663 reviews
Reviewed By BevC107 - Sheffield, United Kingdom
Kelham Island is one of Sheffield's most interesting museums. You can watch the Little Mesters (skilled craftspeople in silverware and steelware) fettling in their tiny workshops and be amazed by the River Don engine. If you have very little children with you, it might be wise to warn them beforehand that it is very noisy and the floor actually shakes when it's going full pelt. I really like the little stationary steam engines that go chunkety-chunk, wheels spinning and pulleys flapping. There is a section with very old cars like the Sheffield Simplex. Wall mounted posters tell of the Great Sheffield Flood when the newly built Dale Dyke Dam capsized in the middle of the night of 11th March 1864 and over 240 people drowned in the deluge. You can track the history of Sheffield's steelmaking from the tiny 14th century forges along its 5 rivers to the huge Atlas Works of the early 20th century. And Kelham Island has a great cafe of its own and there are 2 good pubs very nearby. But be warned, it's closed Fridays and Saturdays.
10. Skipton Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,895 reviews
Where better to experience almost a thousand years of British history than by visiting Skipton Castle. Open all year round, tours are popular with visitors who come from far and wide to explore what some consider to be, a castle jewel of the North. Overlooking an intriguing market town, this remarkable 900 year old fortress is one of the best preserved and most complete medieval castles in England. The history is inseparable from the Clifford family. During the Civil War, Skipton Castle was the last Royalist bastion in the North, yielding only after a three-year siege in 1645. ‘Slighted’ under the orders of Cromwell, the Castle was skilfully restored years later by the indubitable matriarch and egalitarian, Lady Anne Clifford (1589-1676) who was born here. Today the dedicated team at Skipton Castle follow in her footsteps in its preservation. It is the focal point at the top of the High Street, so after a visit, it is fun and easy to take a stroll around the lovely shops, old mark
Reviewed By 425trician - Baildon, United Kingdom
Despite living nearby this was my first time actually inside the grounds of the Castle! It is well worth a visit if you like history and the castle is a wonderful building with some wonderful views and extremely well preserved. All grounds are also very well kept and pretty. All staff go out of their way to be helpful and friendly, giving directions and extra info which is really nice and was appreciated. A handy free tour sheet is included with ticket price with a suggested anti clockwise route suggested so you don’t miss anything. There’s also more background and historic information in each room which I enjoyed reading. There is a cafe for drinks or lunch and a church you could have a look round. Also there is a woodland walk which looks to give amazing views of the exterior. We vowed to try this another time as that is open and accessible to the public. I found the entrance fee slightly expensive as it only takes 1-2 hours maximum so isn’t a full day out. We were happy to pay it and glad we did but we probably wouldn’t again. I also think the price may put off some people especially with families which is a shame. But overall we really enjoyed looking round the castle we’re very lucky to have such a lovely piece of history on our doorstep.
