Pick up one of the walking trails too, to find more clues to the town’s medieval past, including its guilds.
The surrounding villages are a treat as well. Check out the chocolate-box houses of Bishop Burton and Cherry Burton and the wide open space of Beverley Westwood.
Redcar
The 14th century fishing village turned popular coastal resort of Redcar is all stunning beaches and knock-out views — very little social distancing needed. In busier times, there’s plenty of windsurfing, fishing, sailing and diving to be had, not to mention cracking fish and chips.
Redcar is also home to the oldest surviving lifeboat in the world, the Zetland, which lives in the town’s free museum and which has saved over 500 lives.
Or find the treasure of the Anglo-Saxon princess at the nearby Kirkleatham Museum, with a collection of pieces dating back to the 7th century.
Skipton
Skipton Castle has seen worse crises than Covid-19. During the English Civil War, it withstood a three-year siege. No doubt the impeccably preserved 900-year-old stronghold will live to tell a few more tales yet too.
It’s easy to spend a few hours here and lose an afternoon in some magical woodland walks — but make time too to visit the famous market or check out the diddy little bookshops and cafes.
A few years ago Skipton was named as the best place to live in Britain in case you need any other tempting.
Leyburn
The market town of Leyburn is the gateway to the famous Yorkshire Dales National Park, she of rolling hills, TV vets and crumbly cheese. Explore the town’s many bridleways or head over to the three-hectare Leyburn Old Glebe Nature Reserve, one of the best-preserved unimproved meadows in the Dales.
Stop off at nearby Bolton Castle, for some top-notch medieval magic. A clutch of pretty hotels and B&Bs means you won’t struggle for somewhere to stay in the area, but to get closer to some of England’s finest views, pack a tent.
Barnsley
A South Yorkshire town of historic industry — linen, coal, glass and steel — Barnsley has had to pivot somewhat and is now a popular commuter area for its city neighbour Sheffield.
It’s not a tourist hotspot by a long chalk but the town has its charm, not to mention its own Jewish heritage. Stop by 82 Castlereagh Street and you can see a blue plaque recording the house’s history as a synagogue from 1903 to 1946.
On the outskirts, Grade 1-listed country house, Wentworth Castle is the former seat of the Earls of Strafford, whose gardens are open to the public, thanks to the heroic efforts of local volunteers and the National Trust.
After a mooch around there, head up to the stunning Georgian Cannon Hall and try not to adopt a shire horse at Cannon Hall Farm (harder than it looks).
Huddersfield
The poet John Betjeman once described Huddersfield’s neo-classical style station as “the most splendid in England” and, while the rest of the town might have occasionally eschewed prettiness in favour of functionality, its surrounding and valleys bear the fascinating scars of industrial revolution history and an influx of young, vibrant and creative residents.
Follow the Huddersfield Narrow Canal down the Colne Valley for a fascinating trip through picturesque countryside and crumbling mills, picking up some sourdough and freshly-roasted coffee from the burgeoning artisan businesses gradually springing up en route.
If you’re feeling brave (and the weather is on your side), strip off for some wild swimming in Sparth Reservoir,
Halifax
This West Yorkshire mill town has seen something of a resurgence in recent years. Its enormous 18th-century cloth hall, The Piece Hall, was restored and finally reopened in 2017, bringing with it a burst of new cafes, restaurants and independent shops.
Then the TV hit Gentleman Jack encouraged Anne Lister pilgrims in their droves to visit her old home, the pretty half-Tudor Shibden Hall, home to the West Yorkshire Folk Museum. Architecturally, someone once said that Halifax was better if you looked up. Indeed, if you do, you’ll see the remnants of some grand Victorian architecture.
The Borough Market building is one of the finest in Britain and the converted Victorian mills of Dean Clough, on the site of what was the largest carpet manufacturing factory in the world, are now a quirky arts and business complex and home to everything from theatre companies to casting agents and cook schools.
Leeds
Though Leeds city centre is beloved by ardent shoppers (Vivienne Westwood, vintage, Harvey Nicks and more) and culture vultures — it’s home to four major theatres, at least 16 museums and galleries and is one of the only cities outside London to have its own opera and ballet companies — in these more socially distant times, it might be the green space that gets your vote.
One of the most complete Cistercian monasteries in Britain, Kirkstall Abbey is surrounded by 24 hectares of riverside parkland.
If you like your history a little more modern, check out the 18th-century glamour of Harewood House or for sheer indulgent fresh air, go to Roundhay Park, one of the biggest city parks in Europe and covering more than 700 acres of parkland, lakes, woodland and gardens, complete with enclosed tropical world.
If you do fancy venturing into the city itself, the Jtrails Jewish Heritage walking trail will take you through around 200 years of Leeds Jewish history.
Visit yorkshire.com for more information and ideas of places to stay.
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