Top Ten Day Trips From York, England

My favourite part about living in York may have been leaving it as we truly mastered the art of a day trip (jokes, love you York). But this also meant we found some hidden gems close by for a walk through nature. Here’s a quick list of some of my favourites, in no particular order.

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Londesborough

This park is around 45 minutes drive outside of York. There isn’t really a car park, so we just parked up in a lay-by on the side of the road, then walked along the Yorkshire Wolds Way through some farmers fields and woodlands. Here’s a link to a trail which looks similar to the route we would often take. We rarely saw anyone else here, so if you want a tranquil walk, this is perfect!

Sheep at Londesborough Park

North Cave Wetlands

A birders paradise, North Cave Wetlands is a bit further away, at around 50 minutes drive from York. There is a flat, circular loop around a lake in an areas which has been transformed into a wetland from being a quarry. Not to mention lots of wildlife.

Through the trees at North Cave

Kirkham Abbey

Kirkham Abbey is an English Heritage site, with a car park just outside. While we never paid to enter because we got there before it opened, we did find a fun Riverside walk just across the bridge. Bear in mind it was incredibly marshy, and you may slip and fall into the mud (totally didn’t happen to one of us here). Walk carefully!

If you live here, just know I’m jealous of you

Wheldrake Ings

Another birders paradise, and a bit closer to York at around 20 minutes drive, Wheldrake Ings is the place to go to view some wetland wildlife. Do some research before you go though, because it’s subject to flooding, and no you can’t go anyway (we’ve tried).

Lil butterfly. If you want the wildlife pls visit @jmogoeswild on insta

Knaresborough

We became huge fans of Knaresborough for its natural beauty, and brought everyone who came to visit us in York here for a day trip. Accessible by direct train from York, it’s a quick 45 minute – 1 hour journey out here, just north of Leeds. You can walk through the high streets then across to the War Memorial, with incredible views of the viaduct and the River Nidd.

Staveley Nature Reserve

There’s a bit of a theme here (birds), and Staveley Nature Reserve is no exception. This one has the added bonus of having a local pub serving classic pub grub in a perfect countryside setting.

Royal Oak Pub just outside the Staveley Nature Reserve

Fairburn Ings

Another bird paradise, Fairburn Ings is another nature reserve with plenty of walks and wildlife. It’s around a 40 minute drive from York, located just south east of Leeds.

Robin at Fairburn Ings

Castle Howard

Just 30 minutes outside York is a grand estate, privately owned, and questionably expensive to enter. However, it apparently has value for money if you are a local family here and plan on returning. I’ve done a whole post covering our day trip, if you would like to read about it.

Yorkshire Arboretum

I have fond memories here as somewhere I visited the day before I started a new job in York. I’m a big tree lover, so Yorkshire Arboretum was perfect to unwind, walk through nature, and marvel at all the trees they have here. You do have to pay to enter, and you can combine it with a visit to Castle Howard, as they are right beside each other.

Whitby/Robin Hoods Bay

Heading to the coast is always a good idea, and Whitby and Robin Hoods Bay both provide a lovely day out by the ocean. Click the links for my top tips in both places.

Whitby is around 1.5 hours drive from York, and then Robin Hoods Bay is around 15/20 minutes drive down the coast from there. If you have time, you can split it so that you visit Whitby in the morning, then Robin Hoods Bay in the afternoon, before heading back to York. Well worth it!

View from the 199 steps in Whitby

If you don’t have access to a car, join a guided tour from York, which takes you along the North York Moors to Whitby. If that doesn’t tickle your fancy, check out this other highly rated tour operator.

Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs

I can’t believe I missed this iconic day trip out of my list, especially considering it’s my genuine favourite place to visit along the East Coast of Yorkshire. Flamborough Head is home to a huge seal colony, which you can watch from a safe distance. The last time we were here we even saw DOLPHINS! Yes, a pod of dolphins, in the North Sea! Unreal.

Bempton Cliffs is an RSPB site, where thousands of migratory sea birds call home for the summer. You can spot puffins on the cliff faces here during summer too, which is always adorable!

You can read lots more information about Flamborough Head and Bempton Cliffs in my dedicated blog post.

Grassington, Yorkshire Dales

Despite being called the Yorkshire Dales, the fact it takes slightly longer to get here, is why I’m apprehensive to include it on my list of day trips from York. However, if you’re willing to do the 1.5 – 2 hour drive there in one day, definitely check out Grassington. This quaint village is full of character, with lots of trails to choose from.

If you would prefer to go as part of a guided tour so you don’t have to worry about driving, book onto this Yorkshire Dales guided day trip.

Or consider this guided trip, jam packed with visits to gems in the Yorkshire Dales.

Thank you for reading, if you’re looking to escape the York city life and experience the incredible nature that the countryside of Yorkshire has to offer, I hope this list inspires you!

Love, Lydia x

LYD1A KERR