You’ve seen all of Yorkshire, every square centimetre of it.
Are you per chance, 969 years old? Even Methuselah couldn’t have seen all the good bits of God’s Own Country – if he lived in Yorkshire today rather than Canaan in Biblical times. As you probably won’t live to 969 here’s a quick(ish) guide to some of Yorkshire’s greatest, lesser-known treasures that you should probably visit in 2025.
From beautiful villages people don’t realise are still in Yorkshire to a budget friendly splash park and a back road ride through Postman Pat scenery, these are the top drawer, lesser spotted treasures you really ought to check out in 2025. Here they are in alphabetical order.
Bedale
Market Cross, Bedale
(Image: David Himelfield)
Since the Bedale bypass opened in 2016, people on the way to the Yorkshire Dales have um…bypassed this little market town. It’s a shame as there’s quite a bit to see.
For starters, there’s a wide Georgian high street with a fair selection of independent shops, cafe and pubs. There’s St Gregory’s, a 13th-century grade I-listed church and Bedale Museum inside a grade I-listed manor house.
But the piece de resistance is a leech house on the banks of Bedale Beck. It’s a rare relic of an era before sensible medicine. Thankfully, there are no leeches there anymore.
Blast from the Past
Blast from the Past retro gaming centre, Piece Hall, Halifax
A bit niche this one, but it’s so cool it needs a mention. On the top floor of Halifax’s famous Piece Hall is a retro gaming arcade with genuine restored video game and pinball machines.
There’s even a period-correct 1980s living room where you can play consoles from that decade.
Bowes
Bowes Castle, North Riding of Yorkshire
Not everyone who lives in this village at the northwestern end of the old North Riding feels this is Yorkshire anymore. Well, it is and Yorkshire should be proud to hold onto Bowes.
It’s a pretty, friendly Dales village with the remains of a 12th-century castle and an equally ancient church (St Giles) with a curious automatic Victorian clock. Fans of Dickens will be fascinated by Dotheboys Hall, a former boarding school which was immortalised in Nicholas Nickleby.
Cragg Vale
Approaching the summit at Cragg Vale
(Image: Dave Himelfield)
Right up against the Pennine Way is this dramatic, lush valley once ruled by the infamous Cragg Vale Coiners. Cragg Vale is starting to enjoy a greater profile thanks to The Gallows Pole, a Coiners biopic directed by Shane Meadows (This is England) based on the book of the same name.
But it’s still off the beaten track and a place of dense woods, craggy cliffs, babbling becks, reservoirs and ruins to lose yourself in.
Hannah’s Meadows
Today you can visit some of Hannah Hauxwell’s former 80-acre farm at Baldersdale
The former farm of the legendary Daleswoman Hannah Hauxwell is now a tourist attraction although it’s remote enough to put off the crowds. Look inside the barn where lone crofter Hannah kept her few cows and across Blackton Reservoir where she stole a moment to meditate.
It’s in Baldersdale, four miles west of Romaldkirk.
Huddersfield Splash Park
The splash park at Huddersfield Leisure Centre
An affordable splash park? Yep, £20 for a family of four for an hour with a flume, ‘sidewinder’, river rapid and more. Need we say any more.
Spring Grove Street, Huddersfield HD1 4BP
Luddenden
View of Luddenden
Across the upper Calder Valley from Cragg Vale (see above) is this postcard village . It has the Lord Nelson Inn where Bronte brother Branwell pickled himself in gin, a sprawling wooded churchyard and a roaring stream.
Up the hill is Oats Royd Mill with its imposing chimney.
Ripponden
Ripponden sits at the bottom of the steep Ryburn Valley
Conveniently located off the M62 is this attractive, upmarket Pennine village with one of Britain’s oldest pubs (the Old Bridge Inn), as well as cool coffee houses, wine shops and plenty more.
Check out the valley views and terraced gardens from the narrow streets radiating from the main drag.
Tadcaster
Tadcaster’s John Smith’s Brewery, now owned by Heineken
Tadcaster is an old brewery town that’s fascinating and frustrating in equal measure. The home of Samuel Smith’s, John Smith’s and Madri (you really thought it was Spanish?) is packed with characterful Georgian buildings – and heavily decayed characterful buildings.
A walk along the south bank of the River Wharfe on a sunny day is hard to beat.
Todmorden Market Hall
Choc Moose, Todmorden Market Hall
(Image: Dave Himelfield)
Don’t let the somewhat neglected exterior put you off. Todmorden’s indoor market is a fine foodie market packed with atmosphere and friendly traders.
Try sensational sausages from Nick Fielden’s butchers or Mediterranean delicacies from Alexander’s. There’s plenty more too.
Wakefield
Cross Square
(Image: Dave Himelfield)
This maligned West Yorkshire city squeezes a host of architectural treasures into its compact centre. Start at the city’s massive grade I-listed cathedral and head west past the Paris-inspired cafes and bars on Cross Square. Continue west up Wood Street where you’ll find grand civic building after building.
If you’re peckish walk in the opposite direction to Northgate where you’ll be spoiled for choice for places to eat. And if modern art and/or brutalist architecture is your bag, don’t forget The Hepworth gallery on the southeastern fringe of the city centre.
Wharram Percy to Fridaythorpe
(Image: (Image: Getty))
You were promised a drive through Postman Pat scenery. Well, this drive from near Wharram Percy to the Yorkshire Wolds village of Fridaythorpe takes you through green, gently undulating scenery. Be sure to check out the abandoned medieval village of Wharram Percy too.
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