How to make the most of Yorkshire in Autumn
Home to 2.2 million trees and acres of green spaces, the Yorkshire landscape is perfect for watching the leaves turn gold in the Autumn months.
The region’s towns, cities and countryside offer endless opportunities for both outdoor and indoor fun for when the days start to get shorter. Here are the best things to discover in Yorkshire this Autumn.
Yorkshire Museum, York
High winds and heavy showers are nigh on impossible to avoid in Yorkshire during Autumn. Thankfully, there are plenty of cultural treasures stored away in the museums and galleries of the county that can be explored indoors.
In particular, the Yorkshire Museum in York houses a plethora of paintings and artefacts that are worth a visit to see. Whether it’s prehistoric fossils or Roman, Viking or Medieval exhibits, discover it all within the institutions five permanent collections.
Hepworth Wakefield Gallery, Wakefield
There’s always Halloween-inspired fun for kids during the October half term at Yorkshire’s landmark gallery for the visual arts: Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield.
Creepy crafts, spooky stories, pumpkin parades, freaky face paints and even pop-up theatre performances have kept families entertained for years.
Ensure you save enough time to explore the building’s 20th-century art, architecture and history through the guided tours on offer, as well as the workshops that take place throughout the day.
York Minster, York
While open to visitors all year round, York Minster is most picturesque when bathed by golden foliage and bronze leaves scattered about.
The 2,000-year building is sure to leave all visitors impressed with the undercroft, in particular, being a must-see thanks to its interactive exhibition.
If aerial views are your thing, don’t miss the opportunity to climb up the 230-foot-high central tower to arrive at the highest point in all of York. Offering beautiful panoramas of the area, your weary legs will thank you once you’ve seen the view.
Oktoberfest, Leeds
Germany’s traditional Oktoberfest has made its way to Yorkshire!
For a few days every October, a tent is set up on the grounds of the historic Tetley site to host around 2,000 lederhosen and dirndl wearing revellers in the city of Leeds.
Dance to the Oompah band or eat and drink your way through the days with the Bavarian beer, bratwurst and brezels that cover the area.
If you’re not a fan of beer, a range of German wine, as well as soft drinks, are on offer and while traditional German cuisine is typically carnivorous, there are plenty of tasty vegetarian options too.
Walk to Whitby Abbey, Whitby
One of the best ways to celebrate Halloween this year would be to visit the gothic ruins that inspired Bram Stoker’s ‘Dracula’. Venture to Whitby to visit the Whitby Abbey ruins that dominate the whole town.
Wander through the graveyard at St Mary’s church and you’ll find the tombstone of a man named Swales. This name, among others, was noted by Stoker during his stay and became immortalised in the novel as Dracula’s first victim.
There are other little bits of Whitby to be found throughout Stoker’s novel, including, of course, the famous 199 steps climbed by Dracula after his ship is wrecked on the beach. Not familiar with the story? No matter, visit at the end of October and you can watch live performances of the play.
Farmer Copleys Pumpkin Festival, Pontefract
Put your wellies on because 120,000 pumpkins will be ready for the picking at Farmer Copley Pumpkin Festival in Pontefract.
The festival includes spaces to carve pumpkins, ride tractors (teacup rides for younger crowds), face painting and pot painting. Witches and princesses can be spotted around the farm keeping pumpkin pickers entertained in between one of the festival’s highlights: the fancy dress parade where visitors are also encouraged to join.
Already planning this year’s Yorkshire getaway? Don’t miss a visit to Yorkshire’s best restaurants to sample the best of the region’s cuisine!