Yorkshire is one of the UK's most stunning and naturally beautiful locations. The glorious coastline is a perfect mix of charming seaside towns, with sandy beaches and rugged coastal cliffs offering breath-taking views out to sea. Yorkshire's rolling countryside is just as magnificent; with three National Parks, many Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and, of course, the iconic Pennines. It's almost certain that during a holiday to Yorkshire you'll want to experience the great outdoors; here are some suggestions of exciting and unusual ways to experience beautiful Yorkshire.
Go surfing in Scarborough
The North Yorkshire coast is the perfect place to learn to surf. The wide arching bays produce consistent and steady waves, making it easier to improve your skill and technique more quickly. The beaches at Scarborough are also very large, meaning there are good gentle waves that are perfect for beginners, at low and even mid tide. During the summer the beach may be a little crowded, but during the autumn is the best time to go, as the sea is still warm from the summer and there's more room in the water!
Wildlife watching in the Dales
One of the best places to see wildlife in its natural habitat is the North York Moors National Park. Many areas of the National park have been internationally recognised as sites of importance due to their habitats of a group of birds known as the big five. Can you name them all? They are: the golden plover, curlew, lapwing, the red grouse and the tiny merlin!
From birds to squirrels; the Widdale Red Squirrel Reserve is one of only a handful of places left in the UK that is dedicated to preserving this elusive forest critter.
Discover Yorkshire's underground
Did you know that Yorkshire has more than 2,000 caves, potholes, and underground passageways? The limestone caves have been formed over thousands of years and many are open to the public, just waiting to be explored. Perhaps one of the most exciting underground spots is Gaping Gill near Ingleborough. A descent of over 100 metres takes you down to a grand chamber big enough to swallow St Paul's Cathedral easily and here you'll also see the tallest waterfall in the UK.
Strictly for thrill-seekers
If you're a fan of adrenaline-fuelled adventures then you'll find plenty to keep your pulse racing in Yorkshire. Why not start off with a day whizzing through the treetops of Dalby forest along a maze of zip wires at Go Ape? After you've recovered from that, you can try Herd Farm's assault courses or an off-road Landrover experience at Coniston Country Estate.
Go surfing in Scarborough
The North Yorkshire coast is the perfect place to learn to surf. The wide arching bays produce consistent and steady waves, making it easier to improve your skill and technique more quickly. The beaches at Scarborough are also very large, meaning there are good gentle waves that are perfect for beginners, at low and even mid tide. During the summer the beach may be a little crowded, but during the autumn is the best time to go, as the sea is still warm from the summer and there's more room in the water!
Wildlife watching in the Dales
One of the best places to see wildlife in its natural habitat is the North York Moors National Park. Many areas of the National park have been internationally recognised as sites of importance due to their habitats of a group of birds known as the big five. Can you name them all? They are: the golden plover, curlew, lapwing, the red grouse and the tiny merlin!
From birds to squirrels; the Widdale Red Squirrel Reserve is one of only a handful of places left in the UK that is dedicated to preserving this elusive forest critter.
Discover Yorkshire's underground
Did you know that Yorkshire has more than 2,000 caves, potholes, and underground passageways? The limestone caves have been formed over thousands of years and many are open to the public, just waiting to be explored. Perhaps one of the most exciting underground spots is Gaping Gill near Ingleborough. A descent of over 100 metres takes you down to a grand chamber big enough to swallow St Paul's Cathedral easily and here you'll also see the tallest waterfall in the UK.
Strictly for thrill-seekers
If you're a fan of adrenaline-fuelled adventures then you'll find plenty to keep your pulse racing in Yorkshire. Why not start off with a day whizzing through the treetops of Dalby forest along a maze of zip wires at Go Ape? After you've recovered from that, you can try Herd Farm's assault courses or an off-road Landrover experience at Coniston Country Estate.