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YORK & BEYOND
Using the historic city of York as your base, take a journey through Yorkshire’s stunning scenery and
discover the beauty of England’s largest county. Take a trip along rugged coastline in the North East
Yorkshire filled with popular seaside resorts or embrace the elements at North York Moors National
Park. This is a land where visitors can ramble or cycle, explore world class heritage sites and ride
steam trains. Explore Ryedale, offering some of the most spectacular scenery in England or visit the
Howardian Hills’ abundant woodland, a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
York Maze
York Maze is an “a-mazing” seasonal attraction that will give your whole family a great day out. An
action packed, fun filled day in the country, exploring the way round the giant maze and enjoying
over 20 exciting rides, shows and attractions. Set in the beautiful Yorkshire countryside, yet only 10
minutes from the centre of York, it’s a great day out you don’t want to miss! For further details
see www.yorkmaze.co.uk.
Scampston Hall at Scampston Walled Garden
Scampston Hall has remained in the same family since it was built towards the end of the 17th
century. It was extensively remodelled in 1801 by the architect Thomas Leverton with fine Regency
interiors and now houses an important collection of works of art. For further details see
http://www.scampston.co.uk/gardens.html.
Eden Camp Modern History Theme Museum
Housed in an original Prisoner of War Camp, a visit to the unique museum will transport the visitor
back in time to wartime Britain. Experience the sights and sounds and even the smells of both the
Home Front and Front Line in a series of expertly recreated scenes and tableaux. The Blitz, the Street
at War (with rationing and fashions), the Home Guard, Evacuation, the Battle of Britain and VE & VJ
Day are all covered in the first half of the museum, whilst world conflicts and battles are covered in
the second. The Museum also houses a large display of military vehicles and equipment including
tanks, artillery pieces, aircraft, mini submarines, air raid shelters and a Prefab. For further details see
http://www.edencamp.co.uk.
Castle Howard
Magnificent 18th century house situated in breathtaking parkland, dotted with temples, lakes statues
and fountains, formal gardens, woodland garden and ornamental vegetable garden.
Seasonal displays include daffodils, rhododendrons, magnolias, azaleas, roses and delphiniums.
Inside the House guides share stories of the house, family and collections, while outdoor-guided
tours reveal the secrets of the architecture and landscape. For further details
see www.castlehoward.co.uk.
The Yorkshire Museum of Farming
The Yorkshire Museum of Farming is located in the 14 acre rural setting of Murton Park just outside
York. The collection of historic farming equipment is displayed in two main buildings, and across the
site. The Four Seasons Gallery tells the story of the farming year from winter ploughing to autumn
harvest, and the Livestock Gallery explores the rearing of animals and the produce they give us. Both
have fun interactive features for children. The museum also has a large library and archive available
for researchers and visitors by appointment. For further details see http://www.murtonpark.co.uk.
Yorkshire Air Museum – NEW!
Following on from the most successful year for attracting visitors that the Yorkshire Air Museum has
witnessed in its 30 year history, the museum will expand its programme of live aircraft engine runs
during their Thunder and Rolling Thunder Days, which have been so popular in 2014. The first of
these taking place on Saturday 11th April 2015 marks the 5th Anniversary of the huge Nimrod MR2
XV250 flying into its new home at Elvington after 40 years service with the Royal Air Force. The
Nimrod's dash down the runway will be followed by the Victor V-Bomber Lusty Lindy XL231, the
Blackburn Buccaneer XN974 and, for the first time in public, the Douglas Dakota will conduct a full
taxi run, now that it has been brought into this capability by the museum’s volunteer Aircraft
Engineering Team. 2015 will also mark the 75th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain - Bomber
Command actually lost more aircrew in this campaign than Fighter Command in missions attacking
enemy airfields in occupied territories across the channel. Yorkshire's famous Auxiliary Fighter
Squadron's are explained at the Museum and there is a factual exhibition about the Battle of Britain
on display. The Museum's primary role as a Dedicated Memorial to Allied Aircrews enters its 30th
year as the museum continues to remember all those who served. The Museusm’s international
reputation continues to grow and the Memorial was very proud to secure the medals of 13 French
pilots who served with the RAF during the Battle of Britain to be presented to their families in Paris in
November in 2014. YAM is pleased to once again to have been voted by readers of Going Places
tourism magazine as the Top Specialist Attraction in the UK and Trip Advisor comments regularly
rank the Museum in the top 3 of all York Museums. For further details
see www.yorkshireairmuseum.org.
Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
Discover the breathtaking designed landscape of the Aislabies; now a unique World Heritage Site
with over 800 years of history, including the ruins of the once wealthy and powerful Fountains
Abbey. Step back in time to see how the abbey ruins became a spectacular folly for 18th century
visitors, when taking a journey through these gardens of pleasure. Visitors can explore the 800 acres
of medieval deer parkland, formal Georgian water gardens, Victorian high gothic church, Jacobean
manor house, and monastic grounds; including the only surviving Cistercian corn mill. For further
details see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/fountainsabbey.
Captain Cook Memorial Museum, Whitby
This handsome 17th century harbourside house is where the great explorer, James Cook, came to
serve his apprenticeship in Whitby in the year 1746. It belonged to Cook's master, the Quaker ship
owner, Captain John Walker. When the young Cook was not at sea, he lodged here in the attic with
Walker's 'other family' of apprentices. The house is now a museum. It houses a superb collection of
original exhibits about Yorkshire's most famous son. For further details see
www.cookmuseumwhitby.co.uk.
Newby Hall & Gardens
Newby Hall, the family home of Mr & Mrs Richard Compton, is one of England's finest houses, an
exceptional example of 18th century interior decoration. Built in the 1690s in the style of Sir
Christopher Wren the house was later enlarged and adapted by John Carr and subsequently Robert
Adam. The superb contents of the house, collected by Weddell, ancestor of the Compton family, on
the Grand Tour include a rare set of Gobelin Tapestries, a gallery of classical statuary and some of
Chippendale's finest furniture. For further details see www.newbyhall.com.
The Deep
The Deep is one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world, located in Hull and is home to over
3,500 fish including magnificent sharks and rays. It offers a unique blend of stunning marine life,
interactives and audio-visual presentations which together tell the dramatic story of the world's
oceans. Journey from the birth of the oceans into the future. Travel from tropical lagoons to the icy
waters of Antarctica. As you descend deeper into the oceans come face to face with hundreds of
exotic species. For further details see www.thedeep.co.uk.
Beningbrough Hall, Gallery & Gardens
Beningbrough's series of interlocking gardens each offer their own distinct seasonal interest - from
wildlife havens to colourful herbaceous borders - and are inspirational all year. See what's in season
in the working Victorian walled garden before you sample it in the restaurant. There are walks
through park and woodlands and beside the river with stunning views of the hall, as well as outdoor
activities and natural play opportunities for families plus a wilderness play area and den zone.
For further details see www.nationaltrust.org.uk/beningbrough.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Climb aboard a steam or heritage diesel train and ride like Harry Potter for the ultimate trip through
Heartbeat country. Enjoy stunning scenery along 18 miles of railway through the majestic North York
Moors, and continuing through to the popular seaside town of Whitby.
For further details see www.nymr.co.uk.
Yorkshire Lavender
Visit Yorkshire Lavender - the North of England's triple award-winning visitor attraction, lavender
farm and gardens all set within the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We
propagate and sell a huge range of unusual perennials, biennials, annuals, grasses, alpines and
wildflowers together with a large selection of lavender and herb plants in our Specialist Plant
Nursery. For further details see www.yorkshirelavender.com.
Helmsley Walled Garden
Dating back to 1759, Helmsley Walled Garden nestles at the bottom of the North York Moors
between the Grade One listed landscape of Duncombe Park and the scheduled ancient monument of
Helmsley Castle. The garden was a major employer during most of its history, but following the First
World War, it was leased as a commercial enterprise and was run as such until 1984. In 1984, it was
abandoned and fell into dereliction. The restoration began in 1994 to restore the garden back to its
original Victorian beauty and productivity. Local woman Alison Ticehurst wanted to create a beautiful
garden for visitors to enjoy as well as provide horticultural therapy for local people in need. Today
the aim of Helmsley Walled Garden is to conserve and restore the fabric of this historically important
walled garden and to return it to full productivity using environmentally sustainable techniques.
Gardens and gardening carry with them a wide range of therapeutic benefits for people and so the
garden provides a horticultural therapy service to local people with a range of disabilities.
Go Ape: Activity Park in Dalby Forest
A new idea for 2015! Enjoy Hill-to-Hill zip wires with Stunning Views of the Vale of Pickering. Go Ape:
Activity Park has Tree To Adventure and Forest Segways as an alternative way of enjoying a day in
the Great Yorkshire Forest. The team at Go Ape: Activity Park will brief all of the guests for safety
before flying down the zip-wires, leaping off the Tarzan Swing and tackling the crossings whilst
enjoying some of Britain’s most breathtaking scenery. As an alternative there is an option to try out
the latest invention in green technology – a self-balancing electric Segway. From two legs to two
wheels - for the ultimate forest segway adventure on a rugged all-terrain.
The Nordic Walking breaks
New idea for 2015! Have the Nordic walk and wellness break at Wolds Edge. Tucked away at the foot
of the Yorkshire Wolds and not far from the historic city of York is Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges and in
2015 will be offering a wellness break with a difference. Nordic walking is sociable and has grown
into a popular way for people of all ages and fitness levels to gain fitness, tone up, lose weight and
improve their health. In the same way that regular exercise can improve physical fitness and
function, regular meditation can train the mind to be calmer, more focused and more resilient to
everyday stresses. Mindfulness is about bringing that focus into everyday life and movement.
Whether a complete beginner or an experience Nordic walker, this break allows guests to rejuvenate
body and mind with Nordic Walking UK Lead Tutor and Creator of the Nordic Walking UK Wellbeing
programme Jason Feavers. Wolds Edge Holiday Lodges have achieved 4* Gold award rating from
VisitEngland throughout. The park has four unique, carefully designed lodges and two lovingly hand
crafted Shepherd’s Huts nestled amongst trees and wildlife. The peaceful location makes the lodges
the perfect getaway for those seeking sanctuary on their holiday.
RYEDALE
Ryedale is perfectly placed between the historic city of York and Yorkshire’s beautiful Heritage Coast.
The dramatic landscape of the North York Moors National Park is a striking contrast to the tranquil,
gently rolling hills of the Yorkshire Wolds and the patchwork of farmland in the Vale of Pickering and
the Vale of York. The mixed greens of fields and woodland in the Howardian Hills, a designated
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, add further variation.
Ryedale's market towns all have something different to enjoy. Helmsley is one of North Yorkshire’s
most popular market towns housing some unique boutiques and acting as the starting point for the
Cleveland Way National Trail. Kirkbymoorside - "Church dwellings beside the moor" - this small
market town has a wide main street, cobbled on either side and flanked by fine Georgian houses and
welcoming hostelries. Malton has long been regarded as the centre of Ryedale; it is a market town
full of activity, with a street market on Saturdays and a livestock market twice a week. The market
town of Pickering is the official gateway to the North York Moors National Park. From here visitors
can explore the breathtaking scenery aboard England’s longest steam railway, the North Yorkshire
Moors Railway.
The picturesque villages of Ryedale are one of the district’s best assets. Whether visiting the
moorland in the north, the beck side villages in the middle of Ryedale or those nestling amongst the
rolling hills in the south, you will be equally rewarded. Some of the country’s best-known villages are
in Ryedale, such as Thornton-le-Dale and Hutton-le-Hole, but many others have something special to
offer. Distinctive landmarks of these villages include thatched cottages, sundials, village stocks, duck
ponds and village greens.
For any further information and your free guide to York, please contact:
York Visitor Information Centre, Tel: 01904 550099, email: info@visityork.org or visit the
website at www.visityork.org. Press contacts: Kay Hyde, Head of PR & Communications. Tel:
01904 554451, email: kh@visityork.org. Katie Parsons, Senior Communications Executive.
Tel: 01904 554436, email: kp@visityork.org. Website: www.visityork.org
For more Beyond York attractions and information about Ryedale please see websites:
http://www.visityork.org/beyond-york.aspx and http://www.visityork.org/ryedale.aspx