The Natural Highlights of Yorkshire

Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales are made up of a series of valleys and the rolling hills that lie between them. The area offers some outstanding scenery which has been drawing in visitors long before it received it national park status in 1954. The Dales are also a haven for wildlife with many different species of birds and animals calling the area home.

Some of the most popular activities in the park included walking and cycling. These are both great ways for you to explore the many beautiful valleys of the park and see some fantastic sights. Caving is another popular pastime as the Dales offer an extensive cave system thanks to its limestone foundations.

North York Moors
The North York Moors contains one of the largest expanses of heather moorland anywhere in the UK. The sight of purple heather shinning in the sun as far as the eye can see is a truly breath taking sight. The Moors also has plenty of other terrain for you to explore, from lush forests to sandy beaches, chocolate box villages to ancient castles and abbeys. Where the Moors meet the sea you can find evidence of its ancient past with dinosaur footprints and fossils scattered along the coastline.

Peak District
The Peak District was the very first National Park in Britain and is currently the most popular in the UK; in fact based on the number of visitors the Peaks receive annually it is the second most popular National Park in the world with 22 million visitors, second only to Mount Fuji National Park in Japan.

It's no wonder that so many people visit each year as the area not only offer outstanding scenery but a whole host of activities that people can partake in. Some of the most popular activities in the Peaks include hiking, climbing, cycling, caving, sailing, fishing, canoeing, orienteering and bird watching. There are many more sports and activities that keep millions flocking to the area each year in what is fast becoming the playground of England.

Yorkshire Coastline
While many people might not think of the coastline of Yorkshire as a particular highlight, it actually contains mile after mile of sandy beaches and some fantastic coastal scenery. There are a number of award winning beaches along the 80 miles stretch of coastline and they are certainly worth a visit, either for a romantic walk or building sandcastles with the kids. There are also a number of great little fishing villages who cling to the coast line, they are all ways worth exploring as you can come across great little shops and some fantastic places to grab a bit to eat.

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This article was written on behalf of Raven Hall North Yorkshire Hotel who are a country house hotel in Yorkshire providing great accommodation for a Yorkshire holiday.