February – the month of love. As the first spring flowers start to emerge and the days are slowly getting longer, it’s the perfect time of year for romance, and that’s before we even mention Valentine’s Day.
So what better place to celebrate than God’s Own County? To help you get started, we’ve put together our guide to the most romantic places in Yorkshire.
Sights
Stunning vistas, ancient monuments and the best of nature are all in plentiful supply in Yorkshire, so you’ll never be short of an impressive backdrop.
Top of your list should be the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fountain’s Abbey and Studley Royal, near Ripon. There are miles of beautiful walks around the grounds – and after a leisurely stroll you can cosy up in one of the inviting tea rooms.
Alternatively, take your loved one for a walk up Roseberry Topping. There’s plenty of wildlife to see along the way, and the views from the summit are simply unrivalled.
Or why not visit York and walk the walls? You can circumnavigate almost all of this historic city from the walls, which give the perfect vantage point to see its landmarks at their best. You can even access one of the numerous York hostelries, The Lamb and Lion on Petergate, directly from the Walls or for greater choice just pop down the steps and find yourself a cosy corner in a pub to share a drink or two.
Activities
A shared experience is always romantic and there are plenty of options in our area. Why not try one or two?
The North York Moors Railway has just been voted one of the most romantic routes in Europe. Carving its way from Pickering in the south to Grosmont and Whitby in the North, it’s a scenic ride on a traditional steam train – and you can even enjoy lunch or afternoon tea on board. Slightly further afield, the Worth Valley Railway (setting of the classic film The Railway Children) and Embsay Railway are both excellent alternatives.
If water is more your scene, take a trip to Knaresborough, where you can rent a rowing boat and glide along the River Nidd below the famous viaduct. Make sure you walk up the banks along the river to visit Knaresborough Castle afterwards for a stunning view across this pretty town.
Of course, if all of that sounds like far too much effort, you could spend the day relaxing in a spa. There are plenty of romantic places in Yorkshire with spa facilities, but we’d recommend Rudding Park Spa near Harrogate if you want somewhere extra special. This modern rooftop spa only opened last year, and is complemented by leading restaurant, Horto in the same location.
Historic romance
Fans of history and literature will be charmed by the offerings across Yorkshire – there are literary links across the region and many famous people have connections with the area.
In Ripon, you’ll find hints to the city’s influence on Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll, who lived there with his father in his early life. From the white rabbit and other characters carved into the pews and choir stalls of Ripon Cathedral to the tree sculpture in Ripon Spa Gardens, seeking out all the connections is a wonderful way to discover the city.
Whitby, meanwhile, has numerous links – and not all as dark as Dracula. The abbey overlooking the sea is a stunning place to start your exploration of the town’s history, from Captain Cook’s statue and the whalebone on the hill to the more gothic reputation which draws visitors to this day.
Finally, no list of romantic places in Yorkshire could be complete without mention of literature’s most famous sisters, the Brontes. As well as the Parsonage museum – based in their family home – Haworth is surrounded by landmarks which are thought to have inspired the classic stories they wrote. Visit the heather moorland and imagine Heathcliff and Cathy seeking each other out through the storms 200 years ago.
If you’re looking for other ideas, or you need a place to stay for your romantic trip, contact our friendly team today.