Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Top five historical places to visit in Yorkshire
Hi I’m Laura, a Sport and Exercise Science student. I love how many historical places there are in Yorkshire, with many in or near Leeds. In this blog I’ll share my top five historical places I think you should visit.
Yorkshire is England’s largest county, and is rich with historical places, charming buildings and natural beauty. I have lived in Yorkshire all my life, which has given me lots of opportunities to explore many areas and find some of the best historical places that this gorgeous county has to offer. Below are my top five places I would recommend visiting if you want to experience some real-life history on a student friendly budget.
1. Royal Armouries Museum
To begin with, I’m going very close to home with Leeds’ very own Royal Armouries Museum. I first discovered this museum in my first year at university and have been many times since, both with friends and family. We always have a great day out because there’s so much to explore. The collection of weapons and armour in the museum is among the biggest in the world. With over 4,500 objects from the ancient world to the modern day, the Royal Armouries Museum is separated into five galleries: War, Tournament, Oriental, Self-Defence, and Hunting. You can view the fearsome weapons used in past wars and even see the royal armour belonging to the Tudor and Stuart kings. Not only is the museum full of interesting collections but it also puts on live combat demonstrations throughout the day. For special events, they also have large jousting tournaments which are a must-see in my opinion. Tickets are free and you can pre-book your visit on Eventbrite.
This illuminated knight was part of the Royal Armouries Museum's Light Night Leeds display in 2019.
2. Whitby Abbey
For my next stop, we are heading much further North, to Whitby Abbey. As the name suggests, this is an abbey in the popular seaside town of Whitby. I was drawn to this incredible gothic ruin because of its link to a very famous vampire. The Abbey was the inspiration that helped inspire Bram Stoker’s novel, Dracula. You don’t have to be a Dracula fan to visit. The ruins themselves are stunning to see and provide some amazing views of the seafront and the cosy coastal town which lays below. One thing you may need to be prepared for is the famous 199 steps you need to go up to get here! Student tickets cost £9, or you can visit for free with an English Heritage card.
The ruins of magnificent Whitby Abbey
3. The Piece Hall
The Piece hall in Halifax is the only remaining Georgian cloth hall in the entire world. First opened in 1779 as a place to trade cloth, it is now home to a mixture of independent bars, restaurants, shops, and cafes. You can explore ‘The Piece Hall Story’ in the interactive heritage centre, get up close to objects from their past, explore exhibitions and even try on Georgian costume. Afterwards, browse the shops and have a coffee in the courtyard. This is a fab place to visit if you love supporting small businesses. I love visiting the Chocolate Box and tasting their divine handmade Belgium chocolates and truffles – which you smell long before you even enter the shop! You can get here in under 35 minutes from Leeds Station, the Piece Hall is perfect for a chilled Sunday afternoon. The Piece Hall is free for visitors.
4. Harewood House
Leeds is bursting with so much historical heritage, including grand country houses like the Grade I listed Harewood House. Harewood House was built in the 18th Century for the Lascelles family and remains their family home to this very day – having passed down many generations. Even if you’ve never visited, you may recognise Harewood from TV programmes and films, including ITV’s Victoria and the 2019 film Downton Abbey. Rich in history, culture and grand artwork, with gorgeous gardens that overlook the beautiful West Yorkshire countryside. Harewood House is a special place that will have you awestruck. With direct buses from the city centre, you can easily visit here for a lovely afternoon. Tickets are £17.50 for adults.
How beautiful is Harewood House?
5. The Forbidden Corner
The last place on my list is what I would call my wild card. Unlike my other recommendations, the Forbidden Corner doesn’t offer hundreds of years of history, but it does feel like a rather magical and mysterious step back in time. Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales this attraction is a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers and follies built within a four-acre garden. You can walk around the gardens, uncover its mysteries, find hidden tunnels and trails, and see where they lead. For those brave enough you can also take a journey through the Temple of the Underworld. I can honestly say this is one of the most unique places I have ever visited. If you enjoy the weird and the wonderful, I know you’ll love your visit as much as I did! Tickets cost £14.50.
Hopefully this blog will inspire you to get out and explore the beautiful and historical places that Yorkshire has to offer. The hardest part about this blog was narrowing it down to just five places. There are so many places to discover here and I hope you love it as much as I do.
