8 of the best views in York & North Yorkshire
We asked for your suggestions... Here's what you said!
Last updated 22nd Oct 2021
We asked you about the best views in York & North Yorkshire. Ideas included everything from popular York city centre sights to little-known remote countryside landscapes in the North York Moors like Hawnby, Crayke and Rosedale Abbey. Read on to see if your favourites make our list…
York from the City Walls
In a county full of great countryside views, let's remember we also have one of the finest cities you'll find... And the City Walls are a great place to see it! They were built in the 13th century. Surviving parts of the wall stretch to two miles in length.
Hawnby
There are some wonderful views on the western edge of the North York Moors. The village of Hawnby dates back to the Middle Ages getting a mention in the Domesday Book at "Halmebi". Mary Queen of Scots is said to have visited.
Gilling Lakes
A couple of charming little lakes are to be found in woodland near Gilling East in the Howardian Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. If you're wondering how Gilling East got its name, there is a Gilling West, a 45 mile drive away up between Richmond and Darlington. The suffixes were to help avoid confusion!
Crayke
Just a stone's throw from the A19 at Easingwold, another gem in the Howardian Hills... The village name "Crayke" derives from an old northern dialect and means "prominent rock" or "crag". The village has a 15th century castle and church.
Sutton Bank
At its highest point, almost 1000ft above sea level, Vet and author James Herriot called this view the "finest in England". The Yorkshire Gliding Club are based nearby. Lucky members get to soar above this stunning landscape!
Goathland
A tourist magnet that's featured in "Harry Potter" and starred in "Heartbeat". Indeed many local buildings and businesses still have "Aidensfield" above the door! The station is a stop on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway between Pickering & Whitby.
Rosedale Abbey
A village in the North York Moors that never actually had an Abbey, but there was a small nunnery. Between 1850 and 1920 it was a hive of industry and home to 5000 Iron Ore miners. The Millennium Cross pictured here sits on Heygate Bank, high above the village.
Castle Howard
There are many stunning views around the 1000 acre grounds of Castle Howard. Building began in 1699, but took over 100 years to complete. It has featured on film many times, most famously in "Brideshead Revisited".
Now see how York & North Yorkshire used to look:
York Railway Station, 1858
The first York railway station opened in 1839. It was a temporary building on Queen Street outside the walls of the city. It was replaced in 1841 by a permanent construction at the junction of Toft Green, Tanner Row and Station Rise inside the city walls. That in turn was replaced with the present York railway station – back outside the walls - in 1877.
York’s Ouse Bridge, 1880
The view from King's Staith towards the Ouse bridge.
York City Walls, 1890
There have been walls of some sort round the city since Roman times. Much of what we see today was built in medieval times. The walls were restored in the Victorian period after falling into disrepair. Parts were widened to allow more space for wall-walkers like the ones pictured here.
Shambles, York, 1900
One of York's most famous streets back at the turn of the century. Some of the buildings date back to the fourteenth century. Thought by some to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter novels, JK Rowling says she has never been.
The top of York Minster, 1931
The building of The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of Saint Peter in York – to give it its proper name – took 250 years! Completed in 1472, there has of course been much preservation work over the years, like this in 1931.
St Leonard’s Place, York, 1958
This view of the junction of St Leonard's Place, Museum Street, Duncombe Place and Blake Street hasn't really changed much in 60 years!
Parliament Street, York, 1958
Another city centre view from 1958. The market in Parliament Street.
Stonegate, York, 1959
Stonegate before pedestrianisation. Ye Olde Starre Inne sign has spanned the street since 1733.
Thirsk Market Place, 1933
There's been a weekly market in Thirsk since 1145. The Clock Tower was erected in the Market Place in 1896 to mark the marriage of the Duke of York and Princess Mary of Teck - later King George V and Queen Mary.
Malton Market Square, c1942
A wartime market in the town centre.
Selby, 1912
The Abbey was first founded in 1069. A fire did significant damage in 1906, just a few years before this photograph was taken.
Selby Abbey, 1935
The Abbey has of course gone through much restoration work during its long history. In 1935, the height of the towers at the front were raised.
Selby Toll Bridge 1935
Until 1991, you had to pay a toll to head over the Ouse on the Barlby Road near the Abbey!
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