3 Days in Yorkshire

Travel Itinerary

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Itinerary by: Chris Cunliffe

3 years ago

Travel Writer

Duration: 3 days

Itinerary Contents

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3

Itinerary Introduction

Discover the charming villages, historic city of York and the natural beauty of Yorkshire's countryside in a 3 day tour around 'Gods own County'. Having grown up and lived in Yorkshire for a good part of my life, I have ensured you get to see the major sights, taste some good 'old Yorkshire grub' and visit a few hidden gems that many people miss! Saltaire's easy access from nearby cities Leeds & Bradford make the UNESCO World Heritage Site a great starting point.

Useful information about Yorkshire

Getting around in Yorkshire

Travelling by car would be ideal for this itinerary, especially for the trip to Malham, though if you want to skip the Yorkshire Dales, then the other destinations are all well connected by local trains & buses.

Yorkshire - Travel Itinerary

Day 1

Saltaire & The Yorkshire Dales

Start the day in one of England's best preserved model villages and discover a hidden tramway system. In the afternoon, make your way to the Dales for some incredible sights and home cooked food.

10:00 - 12:00

Saltaire Village & Salts Mill

Victoria Rd, Saltaire, Shipley BD18, UK

Sir Titus Salt built one of Yorkshire's many textile mills and created the entire Saltaire village for his workforce to live and play, the complete model town has become a major influence in modern urban town planning. Nowadays, you can take a costume guided tour around the UNESCO world heritage site bringing the industrial village experience to life as well as visiting Salts Mill which has now been converted into an arts space. The mill holds a magnificent collection of local artist, David Hockney's works along with antique shops, a village history exhibition and café. Make your way over the bridge to the beautiful Roberts Park where festivals and dragon boat races take place every summer or have a leisurely walk or canal boat ride down the River Aire. Image Credit Tim Green - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Salt%27s_Mill_(17187132047).jpg

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Price covers: Entry

Prices for Saltaire Village & Salts Mill
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Notes

Costume guided tours around the village need to be booked in advance.

Saltaire Village & Salts Mill

12:00 - 13:00

Shipley Glen Cable Tramway

Prod Ln, Baildon, Shipley BD17 5BN, UK

A short walk through Roberts Park from Saltaire Village takes you to the bottom of this unique hidden tramway taking visitors up to the rocky country park of Shipley Glen. This Victorian favourite pulls 2 narrow gauge trams by cables through the woods and is the oldest working cable tramway in Britain. Stop by the museum at the bottom for a detailed look at the mechanics and history of the line, then at the top tuck into some unusual traditional candy at the old fashioned sweet shop. Image Credit Chris Cunliffe

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Price covers: Entry

Prices for Shipley Glen Cable Tramway
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	2.00 GBP
Kids	0.50 GBP	Under 16
Seniors	1.00 GBP

Shipley Glen Cable Tramway

14:00 - 18:00

Malham

Malham, Skipton BD23 4DB, UK

Malham is a small but popular village in the Yorkshire dales surrounded by limestone dry-stone walls and a stream running through the centre. Its close proximity to the natural sights of Malham Tarn, Gordale Scar & Malham cove makes a great starting point to grab a map for hikes and walks around the varied Yorkshire countryside. From the village, a short 20 minute walk north takes you to the giant limestone formation of Malham Cove, a waterfall dating back to the ice age formed this unique 80 metre cliff face over thousands of years. Ascend the stairs to the top and reach the rugged limestone pavements for one of the best places to view the dales stunning landscape. Walk further north to reach Malham Tarn, England's highest freshwater lake and home to a rare variety of plants and wildlife. If you are lucky, you may spot deer or otters lurking as you walk around the tarn, though be sure to wear sensible footwear as the ground changes from rocky pavements to muddy marshland quickly. Head back south passing the huge cavern and flowing water of Gordale Scar to arrive at the picturesque setting of Janet's Foss, a small but beautiful waterfall and pool nestled in woodland. The secluded and silent space gives a magical and mysterious aura, a nearby tree stump even holds hundreds of pennies left by visitors hoping for some luck. This clockwise loop brings you back to the village, the perfect place to rest your legs and quench your thirst as you sample some of Yorkshire's finest ales in the cosy country pubs. Image Credit Chris Cunliffe

Article By: Chris Cunliffe

Getting there

Drive from Saltaire along the main roads to Skipton and country roads through the Yorkshire Dales will bring you to Malham village where there is a large car park for visitors and walkers. Total Journey time is around 1 hour.

Travel time

1 hour 0 minutes

Malham

18:00 - 20:00

Lister Arms

Malham, Skipton BD23 4DB, UK

The Lister Arms provides home cooked wholesome food served in its traditional pub giving a cosy and welcoming atmosphere. If you are craving a proper British pie or something more fancy, the Lister Arms has you covered. The pub also has rooms to stay the night and a large beer garden to enjoy the outdoors when the weather allows! Image Credit Chris Cunliffe

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Lister Arms

Day 2

A Day in Historic York

See the landmarks of York and visit some of its unique museums to explore its varied past.

10:30 - 12:00

York Minster

Deangate, York YO1, UK

Built over 250 years, York Minster has been the focal point of the city since the 7th century. Strolling around the magnificent cathedral you will find: The Nave - The widest gothic nave in England dates back to 1291 and contains unrivalled medieval stained glass, look out for the Heart of Yorkshire in the great west window. The Chapter House - This revolutionary piece of engineering for its time, created an octagonal room with a vaulted ceiling resulting in the absence of a central column. The Undercroft Museum - Beneath the Minister lies a museum exploring the excavations of the site, a roman fortress was discovered and many of the artefacts found are on display. For an even more detailed look, the hidden minister tour allows entrance to spaces usually closed to the public with an expert guide. Tours can be taken around the crypt passages, the stone yard and the chapter house roof. Image Credit Suicasmo - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interior_of_York_Minster_20180502-1.jpg

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Price covers: Entry

Prices for York Minster
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	11.50 GBP
Students	9.00 GBP
Kids	0.00 GBP	Under 16

Getting there

The journey from Malham to York takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Travel time

1 hour 15 minutes

York Minster

12:00 - 13:00

The Shambles

Shambles, York YO1 7LZ, UK

This narrow avenue in the centre of York is one of the UK's most famous streets. The overhanging architecture and medieval buildings dating back as far as the 14th century have drawn visitors for many years. The street was originally filled with butchers homes and their shops with a slaughterhouse around the back, though nowadays jewellery stores, fudge makers and chocolate shops adorn the tiny buildings. The remarkable similarity of The Shambles with Harry Potter's Diagon Alley has led to an increased amount of Potter fans visiting to see the 'inspiration' for the popular shopping street in the films, therefore, a number of wizarding stores have opened on the street too. Image Credit Peter K Burian - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Shambles_shopper_8686.jpg

Article By: Chris Cunliffe

Price covers: Entry

Prices for The Shambles
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	Free

Getting there

A short 5 minute walk from York Minister

Travel time

0 hours 5 minutes

The Shambles

13:00 - 14:00

Bettys Tea Rooms

6-8 St. Helen’s Square, York YO1 8QP, UK

Bettys is a Yorkshire institution loved by locals and visitors, it has been serving its perfect cups of tea, elegant cakes and succulent sandwiches since 1919 all making up its famous traditional afternoon tea. The York outlet has an interior inspired by the Queen Mary ocean liner and remains just as popular now with regular queues lining up outside everyday of the week.

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Getting there

There are 2 branches of Bettys in York - Helens Square & Stonegate, both are located in the city centre so just a short walk through the city.

Travel time

0 hours 5 minutes

Bettys Tea Rooms

14:00 - 15:30

York Castle Museum

Tower St, York YO1 9RY, UK

Immerse yourself in York's incredibly rich history by bringing the past to life at this unique museum. A recreated Victorian cobbled street is the main attraction here, enter hand crafted toy shops, explore the back alleys and talk to local characters. Every detail has been thought about from the lamp posts to the Tudor houses making the perfect backdrop for a souvenir photo. Each of the interactive exhibits is filled with authentic items telling stories of life in Yorkshire and how residents coped through the first world war. The building was once home to a Georgian prison, these have now been converted into an modern day exhibition where you will discover the brutal history and punishments of the former residents. Find something for everyone in the gift shop with Victorian toys, traditional Yorkshire recipe books and old-fashioned sweets available for purchase. Opening Hours Open daily from 9.30am - 5pm Closed 25, 26 December & 1 January. Image Credit Malcolmxl5 - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Castle_Museum,_York.jpg

Article By: Chris Cunliffe

Price covers: Entry

Prices for York Castle Museum
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	12.00 GBP
Students	8.40 GBP
Kids	0.00 GBP	Under 16

York Castle Museum

16:00 - 18:00

Jorvik Viking Centre

19 Coppergate, York YO1 9NT, UK

Go further back in time at Jorvik to discover York's Viking past for much more than a museum, this experience includes a 12 minute ride with animatronics and real remains from the old Viking city. They were discovered by excavations in the building of a new shopping centre, so now the preserved remains of over 1,000 artefacts including buildings, wells, textiles and pottery are all displayed in Jorvik's galleries. Image Credit Chemical Engineer, Commons Wikimedia

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Price covers: Entry

Prices for Jorvik Viking Centre
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	12.50 GBP
Kids	8.50 GBP	Under 16
Seniors	10.50 GBP

Notes

Please check opening times as they change depending on the season.

Jorvik Viking Centre

Day 3

All aboard to Whitby!

Take a trip on an iconic Yorkshire railway taking in some of the North York Moors greatest villages on the way. Finally arriving in the seaside resort of Whitby for an afternoon exploring its cobbled streets and famous abbey.

09:30 - 13:00

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

North Yorkshire Moors Railway, 12 Park St, Pickering YO18 7AJ, UK

One of the great heritage railway experiences! Board one of the iconic steam or diesel trains, sit back and enjoy the journey, twisting through miles of heather moorland between the market town of Pickering and historic Whitby. The hop on, hop off ticket means you can explore all of the stations and villages on the line: Levisham Station - A 1912 styled station in the heart of the Yorkshire moors is a great place to wander off and enjoy the landscape on foot for a while. Goathland Station - Goathland is a traditional Yorkshire village with plenty of shops, pubs and tea rooms to keep you entertained. Also famous for its TV & Film connections, the village was the filming location for the popular TV soap opera Heartbeat and the station was the set for Hogsmeade station in Harry Potter. Grosmont Station - The home of the North York Moors Railway where you can catch a glimpse of the steam and diesel locomotives being maintained and restored to the former glory. Image Credit Chris Cunliffe

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Price covers: Entry

Prices for North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	33.00 - 38.50 GBP
Kids	17.50 GBP	Under 16

Notes

Leave the car in Pickering or York and make your way to Whitby in style on the magnificent North York Moors Railway! Alternatively, book a return trip on the railway.

Getting there

Pickering Station is a 40 minute drive or bus journey from the centre of York.

Travel time

0 hours 40 minutes

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

13:00 - 16:00

Whitby Seaside

Langborne Rd, Whitby YO21 1DN, UK

A visit to the Yorkshire coast must take in the historic seaside town of Whitby. Its easy to get lost in its alleyways and crooked houses for a few hours, some which date back to the 15th century. Its cobbled quayside streets are filled with small crafts & antique shops and museums telling stories of the towns long history from Vikings to Victorians. If being on the water is more your style, then board the Bark Endeavour boat (a HMS Endeavour replica) for a voyage around the Jurassic coastline while listening to stories about Captain James Cook's life at sea. Ensure to stop for some traditional Yorkshire fish & chips, as Whitby has a reputation of having the best with almost all of its 'Chippys' having won a fish & chip shop award at some point! Image Credit Chris Cunliffe

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Whitby Seaside

16:00 - 17:00

Whitby Abbey

Abbey Ln, Whitby YO22 4JT, UK

On the east cliff stands the towns icon - Whitby Abbey, and the trek up 199 steps to the top gives picture perfect views overlooking the beach and harbour. The Abbey itself dates back to 657AD and was destroyed by Henry VIII in 1540, though now the interactive visitor centre tells stories of the Monks lives who once lived there and digital reconstructions show the archaeological finds of the site. In 1890, author Bram Stoker stayed in a Whitby guesthouse and was inspired by the gothic architecture, local churches and atmospheric setting which resulted in the creation of the world famous novel Dracula. This connection has prompted the twice yearly Whitby Goth Weekend Festival held every April & October. Facilities - Car Park, Café, Gift Shop, Please note dogs must be on a lead. Image Credit Chris Kirk - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Whitby_Abbey_image.jpg

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Article By: Chris Cunliffe

Price covers: Entry

Prices for Whitby Abbey
Category	Price	Restrictions
Standard	11.00 GBP
Students	9.90 GBP
Kids	6.60 GBP	Under 17
Seniors	9.90 GBP

Whitby Abbey

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Submitted by: Chris Cunliffe, 4 years ago

About the author

Chris Cunliffe

I'm a seasoned traveller recording my adventures around the world, I've lived in 3 different countries, various places in the UK and love the opportunity to explore a region to its fullest.

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Website: https://cjattractionsguide.wordpress.com