Top 33 Historical Things To Do In Yorkshire In 2023

If you visit Yorkshire, you can be assured that is not short of historical sites and museums. There are fun things to do in Yorkshire for all the family that spans a whole range of history from the Romans and Vikings through to the Victorian era and beyond. Whether it is the huge range of Abbey ruins or Industrial heritage you are interested in, you will be well catered for.

The major cities in Yorkshire all have a huge range of attractions, most of which are suitable for inclement weather.

Many of the top attractions are ideal for family days with tea rooms, outdoor play areas, and adventure playgrounds. Some even serve afternoon tea. It is worth enquiring with the venue if a specific attraction is open, as some are seasonal.

The historical attractions are ideal for pairing with a leisurely stroll in the national parks.

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal

Fountains Abbey is situated just inside the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It is one of the most popular things to do in Yorkshire. It is a World Heritage Site, so you know you are in for a brilliant day out. An impressive Georgian water garden and an ancient deer park may be seen here, in addition to the Abbey remains. It’s easy to go out and about on foot or bike, and you’ll see lots of local animals along the way. A visit during lambing season is recommended. There is an outdoor adventure playground for the energetic.

Fountains Abbey is one of the most complete sets of ruins following Henry VIII’s dissolution of the monasteries. Note: it is quite a steep hill coming back from the Abbey to the Visitor Centre.

Fountains Abbey is a National Trust Site.

York Minster

A visit to York Minster is probably the top thing to do in York (ideal for a rainy day out.) There has been a church on the site of York Minster since the 7th Century. The Minster building was completed in 1472, and the Great East Window is the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in Northern Europe. The Minster suffered a severe fire in 1984, but it took just four years to repair and restore the damage.

Don’t miss the famous King’s Screen or the crypt that contains the Doomstone and the tomb of Saint William.

Castle Howard

Castle Howard in North Yorkshire is one of the most magnificent stately homes in England. Do note that it is not a castle but a house. It has been home to the Carlise branch of the Howard family for the last three hundred years. You may recognise the property from appearances in Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton.

As well as the house, there are many things to do with extensive gardens, hiking trails on the grounds, and an outdoor adventure playground. There is a tea room and a full restaurant. There is also a popular farm shop.

The Daily Telegraph said in 2018 that it is “One of the top 10 buildings you must visit in your lifetime,” – I agree. A complete day out can be spent at Castle Howard with ease.

National Railway Museum

There are roughly a million visitors to the National Railway Museum in York every year, making it a popular destination for family outings. Why? Because this place has some fascinating trains, including a massive Chinese steam engine.

It also contains the famous trains Mallard, Stirling Single, and Duchess of Hamilton. It is probably the best thing to do on a budget in York, as entry is free of charge.

Royal Armouries Museum

The Royal Armouries is one of the more interesting things to do in West Yorkshire.

The Leeds city centre museum is home to the national collection of arms and armour. There are over 4,500 objects on display in this modern state of the art museum that is free to enter. The highlight is probably the full-sized elephant armour and tusk swords from the 16th Century. Tudor lovers will marvel at Henry VIII’s combat armour made especially for the Field of the Cloth of Gold. The museum now has additional things to do with escape room experiences.

It is another site that is perfect for a rainy day out in West Yorkshire. Free entry is available.

Selby Abbey

Selby Abbey is a parish church with a difference. It is one of the few surviving abbey churches of the medieval period. It is as large as many cathedrals and was founded back in 1069. After the dissolution, the church was unused until it became the Parish Church of Selby in 1618. This is a hidden and often overlooked gem. Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou, 36, married Australian model Hannah Quinlivan, 21, in Selby Abbey in January 2015 and the site in North Yorkshire has seen an upturn in visitor numbers since.

Bronte Parsonage Museum

The parsonage at Haworth, West Yorkshire, where the Bronte sisters lived for the most of their life and penned many of their best-known works, now houses the museum.

The building was constructed between 1778 and 1779. After being named incumbent of St Michael and All Angels Church in Haworth in 1820, Patrick Bronte and his family moved into the parsonage. It served as the family home, and the surrounding moorland landscape had a significant impact on the writings of Charlotte, Emily, and Anne.

Bolton Abbey

Bolton Abbey, one of the Yorkshire Dales National Park’s most popular outdoor attractions, is a great spot to bring the whole family for day trips. This is a beautiful place to spend the day, whether you’re going on a walk, exploring, or simply relaxing with a picnic on the banks of the river. The remnants of the 12th-century priory provide a fascinating look into the past. Don’t miss the stepping stones and the potential to get wet.

Bolton Abbey is owned by the Cavendish family which also owns Chatsworth House. This explains the numerous references to “Devonshire” in the local village – Peregrine Cavendish is the Duke of Devonshire.

Whitby Abbey

One of the most dramatic sites on the North Yorkshire Coast. The ruins of the Benedictine Whitby Abbey are a sight not to be missed. The site gained greater fame due to its association with the 1897 Bram Stoker Novel Dracula.

Whitby Abbey is an English Heritage Site.

Thackray Museum of Medicine

One of the more unusual things to do in West Yorkshire is a visit to the Thackray Museum of Medicine.

It has a lot to offer children and adults, especially those who prefer the macabre. You’ll see how war and international events drove technical innovation in 1842 Leeds, with its old-school medical methods, to the modern-day recovery room. Check out their dissection seminars for those who aren’t averse to a bit of grisly fun.

Ripon Cathedral

Scottish Monks founded Ripon Cathedral in North Yorkshire in 660.

The present building was constructed between the 13th and 16th Centuries. There is an interesting collection of royal portraits in the treasury that were found in the Tower a few years ago. The Rood screen should also not be missed; it has a similar feel to the famous King’s Screen in York Minster.

Clifford’s Tower

One of the most famous sights in the city of York, Clifford’s Tower, has stood on the hill since the Norman Conquest. It has recently reopened with a new roof deck which gives amazing views over the medieval city. Clifford’s Tower has been the site of numerous horrors over the years, including the Jewish massacre of 1190 and the execution of Robert Aske by Henry VIII. Note there is a steep hill to climb to gain access.

Clifford’s Tower is an English Heritage Site.

York Cold War Bunker

If you want something different from “Medieval York”, then a visit to the Cold War Bunker is a must. It was a nerve centre to monitor fallout in the event of a nuclear attack. This is a small but fantastic, site that should not be overlooked. Note – it is essential to book as access is via a guided tour only due to the size of the site.

York Cold War Bunker is an English Heritage Site.

Thwaite Mills

One of Leed’s lesser-known museums, but Thwaite Mills has a lot to offer families in particular. Several habitats for animals may be found throughout the property, including ponds and marshes, as well as wooded and shady regions and formal gardens. Take a peek inside a water-powered mill where you’ll learn how a rock may be transformed into paint and putty and learn about life at the mill in the past.

Ripley Castle

Ripley Castle near Harrogate in North Yorkshire has been the seat of the Ingilby Baronets since 1308. Henry Ingilby was a tax collector for Edward III, and he helped finance the building of Windsor Castle. It is a site often overlooked, but it is one not to be missed. A guided tour of the Castle has to be undertaken to gain entry. It includes the Library, Drawing Rooms, Tower Room, and Knight’s Chamber.

Bolton Castle

In the Wensleydale valley in the Yorkshire Dales National Park lies the 14th Century Bolton Castle. It is a scheduled ancient monument and still remains in the hands of the Scrope Family today. It is a fine example of a quadrangular castle and was built by the 1st Baron Scrope between 1378 and 1399.

It was one of the former prisons of Mary, Queen of Scots. There is a legend that she managed to escape from here… see if you believe it when you visit.

Bradford Industrial Museum

Visiting the Bradford Industrial Museum as a family is an excellent way to learn more about the history of one of the great West Yorkshire cities. Once a spinning mill, it now serves as a fascinating museum filled with relics from the past. During your tour, you’ll have a chance to study steam power, engineering, motor vehicles, and a wide variety of textile and printing machines.

Mount Grace Priory

Mount Grace Priory, House, and Gardens are hidden at the foothills of the Cleveland Hills in North Yorkshire. It is one of the best-preserved Carthusian Priories in England. There is a reconstruction of a monk’s cell. There is also a 13th Century manor house with later arts and crafts style rooms.

This site is both an English Heritage Site and a National Trust site.

Ormesby Hall

In the middle of the North Yorkshire industrial town of Middlesbrough lies Ormesby Hall. It is an 18th Century mansion that is built in the Palladian style. There is a model railway, gardens, and estate walks.

Ormesby Hall is a National Trust site.

Captain Cook Memorial Museum

The famous explorer Captain Cook was an apprentice at Whitby in North Yorkshire. This museum is in the house that Cook himself resided in a while being an apprentice (and not at sea!) This is definitely worth an hour or two of your time while visiting Whitby.

Kirkstall Abbey / Abbey House Museum

One of the more popular things to do in Yorkshire, especially if you are visiting Leeds. Begin with a visit to Kirkstall Abbey, a stunning specimen of Cistercian architecture. It’s surrounded by lovely grassland, perfect for a family outing or a picnic. There are frequent events at the Abbey House Museum and an old-fashioned Victorian street.

Nunnington Hall

The first Nunnington Hall, in North Yorkshire, was owned by William Parr, the uncle of Henry VIII’s final wife, Catherine Parr. The beautiful River Rye runs past the property.

The last major renovation took place in 1920, and it was given to the National Trust in the 1950s. Visitors can enjoy a range of styles and eras as they walk from room to room. As well to the house, there are extensive gardens, tea gardens, and an outdoor play area, making it a great day out for the whole family.

Nunnington Hall is a National Trust Property.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

North Yorkshire Moors Railway is a steam engine railway that runs through the heart of North York Moors. It is one of the most popular days out in Yorkshire. Goathland station on the railways has been used as Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter films. It is a very popular attraction during school holidays.

Harewood House

Definitely one of West Yorkshire’s top family attractions, Harewood House offers a lot to keep everyone entertained. Along with the home’s Renaissance artworks and family portraits, the Capability Brown-designed gardens are a joy to explore with a child. It also features a bird garden where you can feed their adorable Humboldt penguins, a guaranteed way to make your trip a memorable one.

National Coal Mining Museum

At the National Coal Mining Museum in West Yorkshire, you may descend 140 feet into one of the country’s oldest operational mines. You’ll get a glimpse into the life of individuals who worked there, but don’t expect it to be all gloom and doom. The Hope Pit hosts a variety of interactive exhibits, as well as opportunities for visitors to engage with the local wildlife and the pit ponies. All in all, it’s a wonderful way to spend a day in Yorkshire. This is a popular Yorkshire museum in the school holidays.

Jorvik Viking Centre

For a day out with the kids, Jorvik Viking Centre is one of the most popular things to do in Yorkshire. If you’re interested in seeing what York might have looked like more than 1,000 years ago, this is your opportunity.

Additionally, there are exhibits that allow you to engage with what they discovered throughout their five-year excavation on Coppergate, making the experience both entertaining and instructive.

Treasurer’s House

The Treasurer’s House is located in the Minster Yard and is often forgotten in the shadow of the Cathedral. As the name suggests it was originally the home of the Minster treasurer. Frank Green, a rich local manufacturer who purchased each component of the home between 1897 and 1898, restored it to its current form. Temple Moore was hired to repair the house and remove various prior extensions. This renovation was substantially finished by 1900, and when Frank Green retired and moved away from York in 1930, he left the home and its furnishings to the National Trust.

Treasurer’s House is a National Trust site.

Rievaulx Abbey / Helmsley Castle

Rievaulx Abbey in the north york moors, was one of England’s greatest Abbeys before the Dissolution. The extensive ruins rival Fountains Abbey in size, and the peaceful grounds are lovely for a day out.

The lovely town of Helmsley is close by, and a visit to Rievaulx should be paired with a trip to Helmsley Castle.

Rieavaux and Helmsley Castle are English Heritage Sites.

Kelham Island museum

Kelham Island Museum in South Yorkshire is located on an artificial island that dates back more than 900 years and offers an insight into Sheffield’s rich industrial history.

It explains the narrative of the Industrial Revolution and what it was like to work in Steel City back in the day, before moving into the changes that have since taken place, with a range of interactive displays that youngsters will appreciate.

This museum in south Yorkshire is an excellent choice for a family day out that is both entertaining and instructive.

York Dungeon

The York Dungeon is the perfect place for family days out in Yorkshire. With the help of performers and visual effects, this 75-minute film will take you on a journey through the city’s gruesome past. To keep the youngsters amused, there are nine distinct presentations covering everything from Guy Fawkes to Dick Turpin and even the Vikings.

Kirkham Priory

The ruins of the Augustinian Kirkham Priory in North Yorkshire stand on the banks of the River Derwent. The Gatehouse of Kirkham Priory is a rare specimen of English Gothic medieval architecture.

The site was used to practice for the D-Day landings and Churchill visited Yorkshire to witness the training in person.

Kirkham Priory is an English Heritage Site.

Leeds Industrial Museum

Leeds Industrial Museum is a great place to introduce your children to the city’s industrial background. Formerly the world’s biggest woolen mill, Armley Mills has been transformed into an educational and entertaining destination for locals and tourists alike.

Howden Minster

Howden Minster is in East Yorkshire. The elaborately decorated ruins of a 14th-century chancel and chapter house are attached to the still operational cathedral-like minster church. They stand outside the church and can be visited at any time.