Yorkshire and Lancashire : A Destination Guide

People often think of the North of England as being difficult to get to. But both Yorkshire and Lancashire are served by exceptional travel links, and the North is much closer than you might think.

If you’re driving from the South, then the M1 and the A1 are the quickest ways to cross the country and get to the North. From the Midlands, the M62 leads straight into the heart of Yorkshire, and the M1 will also take you there.

Visitors coming from Wales would be best advised to use the M6 or the M4, while those travelling from Scotland should use the A1 from Edinburgh. If you’d rather take the train, there are mainline services from across the country. There’s also the option to fly. Flights to Leeds Bradford International Airport can be taken from London Gatwick, Bristol, Newquay, Exeter, Plymouth, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Glasgow, the Isle of Man, Southampton, Belfast and Dublin.

Yorkshire: God’s own country!

Yorkshire is often referred to, half-jokingly, as ‘God’s Own Country’. When you get there, you’re likely to see their point of view: the landscape is as rugged s it is beautiful and has inspired writers and artists for hundreds of years, The Yorkshire Dales are surprisingly large and littered with ancient, stone walls. The bleaker Yorkshire Moors are dramatic and home to a plenty of myths and legends. They are popular with walkers and cyclists. But if you are visiting in the colder months then be sure to keep an eye on weather forecasts. Conditions can change very quickly.

There are plenty of attractions to choose from. The county has a list of over 800 things to see and do, from mining museums and World Heritage Sites to ruined castles and abbeys. Yorkshire has a rich and fascinating Viking history, and there is evidence of their rule right across the region. To find out more, it’s well worth paying a visit to the Jorvik Viking Centre in York. This is a fun and fascinating day out that will give you a better understanding of Viking life. Make sure you visit some of the other sites in Yorkshire’s most famous city. York Minster is a spectacular place of worship that’s packed with history. For a spot of retail therapy, head to the boutiques and shops in The Shambles. If you’d rather soak up a bit of the great outdoors, then you a day at the Lightwater Valley Park provides attractions ranging from rides and slides, to falconry and farmyard animals.

A Mecca for foodies

Renting a luxury holiday cottage can be the best way to see just what Yorkshire has to offer. Choosing to go self-catering doesn’t mean you have to be chained to the cooker every evening, though. Yorkshire is recognised as something of a Mecca for foodies. Historic Harrogate is home to Van Zeller, which offers relaxed fine dining, while the Crown inn in Pateley Bridge offers superb pub food.

Food and drink are an integral part of the Yorkshire way of life and there are plenty of food festivals and food producers to visit. In Ripon you’ll find T Appleton and Son who claim to make the best pork pies in the county. If you’re still hungry, head up to Wensleydale to sample the cheese. For a drop of something to wash all that excellent local food down, check out Masham, home to the Black Sheep Brewery.

Diverse Lancashire

Lancashire offers a diverse array of places to visit. There are the seaside spectacles of Blackpool as well as the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is the Forest of Bowland. You’ll find that there’s something to interest each member of your party.

Choosing Lancashire as your holiday destination gives you the chance to choose to enjoy a beach holiday or lose yourself in the stunning countryside. The coast has some impressive beaches, many of which have become firm family favourites. Scarborough offers miles of sand, with the added bonus of amusements and fun-fairs lining the seafront parade. Morecambe Bay has undergone regeneration in recent years and is continuing to attract thousands of visitors each year. In addition to the Way of the Roses Cycle Route you’ll also find other attractions including the statue of Morecambe’s most famous son, Eric Bartholomew – also known as Eric Morecambe.

UFOs and the Ribble Valley Food Trail

However, if you prefer the great outdoors then a visit to the West Pennine Moors ought to be in your schedule. The Moors offer 90 square miles of wild countryside, secluded villages and spectacular wildlife. The best way to fully appreciate the Moors is on foot. But there are other activities available, such as fishing, bird-watching and even UFO-spotting!

Like Yorkshire, Lancashire is putting itself firmly on the map when it comes to eating out. While you can certainly find the hotpots, cheeses and sausages that are synonymous with the county, it also has an eclectic mix of restaurants to sample. The celebrity chef Nigel Haworth owns the Northcote Restaurant, which earned its Michelin stars for producing some of the best food in the UK. However, if you want to add a little adventure to your gastronomic pursuits, the Ribble Valley Food Trail is a great way to work up an appetite, before rewarding it with local dishes.

Yorkshire and Lancashire offer some of the most superb holiday experiences to be found in Britain. To get the most from yours, be sure to choose a holiday cottage that is within easy access of the sites and attractions you most want to see.

If you are planning a break, why not take a peak at the Premier Cottages collection of luxury holiday cottages throughout Yorkshire and Lancashire.