From pretty landscapes and gorgeous coastline to fascinating history and colorful countryside, Yorkshire, previously the County of York, is simply magical.
It’s Northern England’s historic county, which is also the largest in the UK. Here are some fascinating facts you’d love to know before visiting Yorkshire!
#1. Since the area covered by Yorkshire is huge, it is split into four administrative divisions viz., North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire.
#2. Yorkshire boasts vast expanses of picturesque, virgin countryside, especially in the Yorkshire Dales and North York Moors areas. Owing to this, it is also known as “God’s Own County”.
#3. The emblem of Yorkshire is the White Rose of York, which is also the heraldic symbol of the English Royal House of York.
#4. York was one of the most important Viking settlement in England during the late 9th century and first half of the 10th century. Archaeological evidence indicates large-scale trading connections between York and the Byzantine Empire during that time.
#5. Yorkshire came under the Norman rule in 12th century A.D. They built a lot of beautiful castles all over the county, most of which are major tourist attractions today.
#6. UK’s oldest designated city lies in Yorkshire. Ripon in North Yorkshire was declared as a full-fledged city in 886 A.D. by Alfred the Great, the king of Wessex.
#7. York Minster is the biggest Gothic cathedral in all of Northern Europe. It has 128 stained-glass windows and 35 bells, and took 252 years to be completely constructed.
#8. North Yorkshire is home to the oldest registered visitor attraction in Great Britain viz., Mother Shipton’s Cave and Petrifying Well. The spot has been open for tourists since 1630.
#9. The longest steam-powered railway in the United Kingdom, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, runs through North York Moors National Park. This heritage railway has been continuously running since 1836.
#10. Yorkshire is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites viz., Saltaire & Salts Mill in Bradford, West Yorkshire and Studley Royal Park, including the Ruins of Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire.
#11. The three famous Brontë sisters, Charlotte, Emily, and Anne, known for their world-renowned works in English literature, were born and bred in the village of Haworth in West Yorkshire.
Their famous literary works include Jane Eyre, Wuthering Heights, and the Tenant of Wildfell Hall respectively.
#12. The first ever published recipe for “Yorkshire Pudding” was in a 1747 cookbook by Hannah Glasse named, “The Art of Cookery Made Plain and Easy”.
#13. Leeds in West Yorkshire has the oldest pub in the UK – The Bingley Arms. It is believed to have been in existence since the Viking era.
#14. Swaledale in Yorkshire Dales is home to Britain’s highest pub, The Tan Hill Inn. Set in picturesque countryside, the pub sits at an altitude of 1,732ft above sea level.
#15. Sheffield in South Yorkshire has the greatest number of trees per capita in all of Europe.
#16. The world’s oldest football club, Sheffield F.C., was born in Yorkshire. The county, in fact, is home to club football and rugby league.
#17. South Yorkshire is home to the world’s oldest racecourse. The records of regular race meetings at the Doncaster Racecourse go way back to the 16th century.
#18. York is also home to the Shambles, which is perhaps Europe’s oldest shopping street. It has also received the “Google Street Award” for being the most beautiful lane in Britain.
#19. The oldest functioning convent in England is located in the city of York. In fact, you can also book a B&B with the nuns there!
#20. Yorkshire has the 2nd-largest number of Michelin Star restaurants in England, after the County of London.
#21. The Humber Bridge in East Riding of Yorkshire is UK’s longest single-span suspension bridge. It is also Europe’s 2nd longest and the world’s 7th longest.
#22. North Hampshire’s Scarborough was Great Britain’s first ever seaside resort town, which has been welcoming tourists since 1626.