Four beautiful Yorkshire heritage sites to visit this spring

18th April was World Heritage Day.

Whilst there are countless beautiful sites to see all around the world, you might be surprised to learn that we have several English Heritage locations right here in Yorkshire.

If you’re looking for a fun day out in the (hopefully) warm weather, read on to find out about four beautiful Yorkshire heritage sites to visit this spring.

1. Climb 199 steps up to the Gothic Whitby Abbey

The haunting setting of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Whitby Abbey, is a fantastic day out for families, couples, or solo history boffins looking to learn something new.

Walk up the 199 steps that bring you to the clifftop Church of St Mary, also featured in Stoker’s novel, sitting just in front of the towering Abbey ruins. Once you have wandered around this historic church, keep walking up the hill to discover the Abbey in all its glory.

For those who love history and literature, Whitby Abbey is ideal to sink your teeth into.

And for those who want an exciting day out with the family, the Abbey is just one of several fun things to do in Whitby – admire the ocean views or even go foraging for 100 million-year-old ammonites on the beach.

It’s wise to book your visit in advance, especially during the spring and summer.

2. Discover 3,000 years of history at Scarborough Castle

The phrase “If these walls could talk…” applies aptly to Scarborough Castle, which has seen a number of historic societies pass through it. The Romans, Vikings, Saxons, Tudors, medieval nobility, and Parliamentary armies have all had their time at this historic location.

Today, you can visit the ruins of this castle that stands majestically atop a stunning Scarborough cliff, with views of the vast North Sea stretching as far as the eye can see.

Enjoy an audio tour or wander at your own pace around this amazing English Heritage site, then enjoy a delicious coffee and a walk in this beautiful area of our county.

You can buy tickets on the day at Scarborough Castle, but it may help to book beforehand. It’s easy to book tickets online, with a range of options for adults, children, and families.

3. Enjoy a picturesque stroll through Brodsworth Hall and Gardens

The original Brodsworth Hall in Doncaster was built in the 1790s. It belonged to the wealthy Thellusson family until the First World War, although the building that stands today was built after the original structure was demolished in the 1860s.

After the war, spiralling costs meant that the family had to close off parts of the house, which fell into disrepair over the subsequent years. In 1988, a woman named Pamela Williams inherited the property, and gave the entirety of Brodsworth Hall and Gardens to English Heritage in 1990.

Since then, the property has been restored with its Victorian features, and today you can enjoy a tour of the picturesque house and gardens. The property still contains a vast Italian art collection, restored and kept safe by its series of residents throughout the years.

Whether you love art and history, or simply want to spend a day strolling through a colourful garden, Brodsworth Hall and Gardens could make a lovely day out. The gardens span 15 acres, and are populated with stunning flowers, trees, and fountains.

You can book tickets online. As with most English Heritage sites, you can pay on the day, but prices may vary and tickets can sell out.

4. Step back in time at Aldborough Roman Town

Situated in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, the Aldborough Roman Town encourages visitors to step back in time and imagine a totally different world that once existed here.

In around the year 70 AD, the Roman empire began to head north, having occupied parts of south England since 43 AD. In 120 AD, the Romans built a well-established town in Aldborough, giving them a swift and safe dwelling near to Hadrian’s Wall.

The town thrived until the fall of the Roman empire, after which it may have been used as a settlement for Anglo-Saxon communities.

In 2024, you can visit Aldborough Roman Town and experience 1,800 years of human history – including viewing two of the largest Roman mosaics still intact in the UK and a section of the original town wall.

This spring could be the ideal time to learn about the ongoing research conducted at Aldborough Roman Town, walk around its grounds, and discover everything this amazing site has to teach us and our modern way of life.

As the Aldborough Roman Town is a centre for ongoing archaeological research, it may only be possible to visit between Friday and Sunday. Tickets can be pre-booked online if you wish.