With plenty to see scenically and culturally, from the breath-taking Yorkshire Dales to the home of the Brontë family, there's many a reason to discover this part of the world.
Ilkley Moor
The beautiful Ilkley moor sits high above Ilkley town and is a popular tourist attraction for walkers and cyclists alike. However the town itself is enjoyable and pleasant in its own right, full of fine shopping and dining including Michelin starred The Box Tree restaurant, where Marco Pierre White trained. The rural surroundings allow for a large choice of different walks and trails to pick from, one of the most striking views being from the landmark Cow and Calf rocks (named due to their apparent likeness to the animals) which overlook the town.
If Wuthering Heights or Jane Eyre is a favourite of yours, then The Brontë Parsonage in Haworth will become one of your favourite destinations. The museum showcases many portraits, keepsakes and objects owned by the family however, it is the fact that this museum was once their home which makes it so remarkable. Walking around the house, you are able to see where these authors grew up and lived, for instance the dining room where the three sisters, Charlotte, Emily and Anne, spent their days writing their classic novels. Moreover, upon exiting the Parsonage you are greeted with the setting that inspired their works: the stunning views of the moors that are Brontë country. It is by being able to see the views and home of these classic authors that makes this museum so fascinating, you are not simply subject to looking at objects behind a glass case, you are able to experience their home, as the Brontë family did.
If it is more spectacular scenery you are after, head for Malham. Set in the Pennines and the Yorkshire Dales, Malham is a small, but beautiful village. Malham Cove, an enormous curving limestone cliff, has been branded as one of the most impressive sights throughout the entirety of the Yorkshire Dales and I do not disagree. Sat on the Cove, the views are really quite astounding. For someone who lives and is so used to the urban London landscape, to be able to see this glorious scenery of valleys and waterfalls for miles upon miles, it is more than impressive, it is quite humbling. To be able to find somewhere so peaceful and impressive, it is hard not to become mesmerised by the striking panoramic views that surround you. This is not a place that merely attracts hikers either; Malham has also fascinated the arts world, inspiring Charles Kingsley for his novel The Water Babies, as well as painters such as Turner - and I can see why. Malham is so beautiful it is almost crying out to be painted! More recently Malham has seen fame as the set for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, highlighting its combination of a magnificent and magical atmosphere.
Harewood House
For another dose of culture, why not visit the splendid Harewood House and its gorgeous grounds? Home to the Queen Elizabeth II's aunt, Princess Mary the Princess Royal, for four decades, this extraordinary period house exhibits regal interiors and furniture by Thomas Chippendale. The attractions do not stop at the House; your entry pass allows you to visit the kitchen and servants' quarters: Below Stairs, the All Saints' Church and many lovely gardens besides the lake. Children are abundantly provided for too with an extremely well equipped Adventure Playground comprising of a zipwire, climbing nets and more; plus a bird garden with daily penguin feeding! Other than the House itself, of all the attractions, the one not to miss has to be the Himalayan Garden. Described as a 'hidden gem and second to none in the UK' by gardener Alan Titchmarsh, the Himalayan Garden is a natural haven which transports you to the floral world of Asia with its various Oriental plant life. Furthermore, the Harwood Stupa resides here. Built by Bhutan monks, this Buddhist monument is one of its kind in England, further accentuating the unique and exceptional Himalayan feel of this garden.
So why not get away from the rest of the manic world and experience a beautiful and peaceful northern retreat.
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