Holiday homes & rentals in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is England’s largest county and, arguably, its most beautiful. This area is home to extensive natural limestone formations, historic buildings and a beautiful coastline. The area's many highlights include the city of York, the coastal town of Whitby and the county’s two national parks, the North Yorkshire Moors and the Yorkshire Dales.

A varied destination, it offers something for people of all ages and interests - perfect for family holidays. When you stay in a North Yorkshire holiday cottage, there is plenty to discover on a visit to this fascinating area.

You can find idyllic holiday accommodation all across North Yorkshire. From cosy log cabins and stone cottages, to sleek modern apartments and grand country houses, you can enjoy the comforts of home—including the ability to cook and entertain—with some of the country's most beautiful scenery and quirky art and culture outside your front door.

Getting to your North Yorkshire holiday cottage

North Yorkshire is a predominately rural area, so you will not find any airports within the county itself. However, there are several large airports nearby, including Newcastle, Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds Bradford. The area can also be reached from other parts of the country via train or coach. Due to the sparseness of the county, it is recommended that visitors book a letting car during their trip to access the harder-to-reach attractions.

North Yorkshire weather: What to expect

North Yorkshire has a varied climate. Depending on where in North Yorkshire you are, you may be in one of the wettest parts of the country or the driest. Speaking generally, North Yorkshire receives a higher amount of rainfall than elsewhere, so it is a good idea to make sure that you take an umbrella and waterproof clothing to your North Yorkshire holiday letting. Winter often brings freezing temperatures and snowfall, while summer sees warm weather and the occasional heat wave.

Things to do in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is a large area with plenty of fascinating sights and attractions, including historic towns, a dramatic coastline and lush green landscapes. North Yorkshire holiday lettings are the perfect way to enjoy the diverse attractions of the region.

York, the region's largest city, is a great starting point for visitors to North Yorkshire. This pleasant city is wonderful to explore on foot, so strap on some comfortable shoes and start wandering around the ancient streets. The absolute highlight of the city is York Minster, which stands on a site which has been the location of a religious building since at least 627 A.D. The current building was built between 1230 and 1472 and is Europe’s largest Gothic cathedral.

Other highlights in York include the National Railway Museum, the largest such institution in the world, and the York Castle Museum, which features interactive exhibitions where you can walk through the city’s fascinating history, as well as ‘The Shambles’, a picturesque Medieval street.

The Yorkshire Dales are another must-visit for those with North Yorkshire holiday homes. This large area features woodland, moors and valleys, and is great for an afternoon of hiking. Ingleborough Peak is a highlight, offering great views, while the dramatic Bolton Abbey has been featured in many television shows and inspired poets and authors.

Scarborough Castle dates back to the 12th century, though evidence suggests the spot has been a lookout spot for some 3000 years. The castle offers a fascinating step back into history and also provides excellent views of the coast.

Art and Culture in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is home to some of the most idiosyncratic music venues in the country, like the legendary 100-seat Band Room near Low Mill, or the equally intimate yet cutting-edge venue, The Shed, on the edge of the North York Moors. The annual North York Moors Chamber Music Festival attracts world-renowned classical musicians from across Europe and beyond every August.

Drama has a strong heritage in North Yorkshire, and the Stephen Joseph Theatre, housed inside Scarborough's iconic art deco Odeon building, is an absolute must for lovers of the stage. The picturesque village of Ilkley has garnered a reputation as a buzzing artistic hub, and every autumn the entire town turns into an outdoor gallery for 5 days during the annual Ilkley Art Trail.

North Yorkshire with kids

North Yorkshire is one of the best counties of the UK for those staying in North Yorkshire holiday cottages with children.

Take them to the village of Sandsend for a trip to the beach. This is one of the loveliest beaches in the country and provides a real seaside adventure with ice-cream, sandcastles and paddling or swimming in the water.

Ordinarily it might be difficult to convince children to get excited about a visit to a stately home, but you will have no such trouble if you choose to visit Castle Howard, a magnificent home that took more than a hundred years to build from 1699 onwards. This fascinating historic castle features a large playground for children situated in its gardens.

For a day they will never forget, take your children to the Web Adventure Park in York. This fun attraction features a play park and an ‘Animal Zone’ where children can pet farmyard animals. The park also features a state of the art high rope walkway as well as a number of organised activities for children of all ages.

Explore the North York Moors

Make the most of the area's spectacular scenery by driving or walking to one of the North York Moors' many viewpoints. Sutton Bank, in the west of the park, was a favourite with local celebrity James Herriot. Hire a bike or simply explore on foot, but make your start at the top of this extremely steep hill and walk down! If coastal scenery is more your thing, take a trip to the quaint fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay; after exploring its winding streets and historic harbour, set off to walk along the cliff tops to Ravenscar, where you can enjoy breathtaking views north and south up the coast. Star gazers would be well advised to take an after-dark drive to the Hole of Horcum, inland from Whitby. With no towns or villages for miles around, this is an ideal spot to sit back and watch the stars.

Self-catering Holiday Cottages in North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire has no end of sublime locations for a cosy holiday cottage, whether it means romantic log cabins in he Yorkshire Dales, a seaside villa in Scarborough, or an elegant stone country house. One advantage these holiday lettings have over hotels is the freedom of being able to self-cater in the comfort of a full kitchen.

Even the historic North Yorkshire holiday cottages have state-of-the-art kitchen facilities like induction hobs, coffee machines, and full fridge-freezers. You can also find holiday homes so comfortable and well-equipped that you'll never want to dine outside the house. Think outdoor dining terraces for the summer months, sun-filled breakfast nooks, or dining rooms with a fireplace for cosy winter feasts.

Explore the mysterious history of North Yorkshire

National Railway Museum York

This award-winning locomotive museum houses over 100 trains and an assortment of affiliated exhibits from around the world.

York City Walls

The remains of this Roman structure are situated at various points across the historic city of York. The remnants of the wall are free to visit and almost all of it can be traversed on foot, making for wonderful photo opportunities.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden

The abbey, which was closed under the jurisdiction of Henry VIII, is a stunning relic situated adjacent to the Royal Water Garden. The grounds are famous for their snowdrops, which bloom every spring, and were planted during Victorian times.

York Castle Museum

The castle, built by William the Conqueror, is a former prison and houses a collection of paintings and exhibits.

York Minster

The Church of St Peter is famous for its Gothic architecture and west window - known as the 'heart of Yorkshire.'

Frequently Asked Questions