Reconnecting with Nature: Exploring Yorkshire Beyond The Lecture Hall
Image Credit: chrisdorney via Adobe Stock
As a student, you may often find yourself trapped inside the walls of Eddy B, caged in by the Conference Auditorium or hibernating in halls: alas, this is no way to live. Whilst most students see less sunlight than the average Vampire, I can assure you it will not kill you! Shifting your nocturnal habits is important for your mental wellbeing. Whilst the inside of The Warehouse is a fun environment, the Yorkshire countryside is a lot more spacious and unpolluted by the sweat of Rugby men. When university stress accumulates, a trip to one of the following stunning Yorkshire locations, which are easier to navigate than the floors of Roger Stevens, will definitely help!
- Knaresborough
Located just a 50 minute train ride away from Leeds’ city centre, Knaresborough makes the perfect day trip. Home to the River Nidd and striking 19th century railway viaduct, history is at the very heartbeat of this town. The town centre is perched on the cliffs above the river, offering a magnificent view, although the descent is not for the weak. Students with an active lifestyle may be unfazed by its steepness yet my arduous trek down the stone staircases made me regret my lack of time in the Edge!
As one of North Yorkshire’s most iconic landmarks, the Knaresborough viaduct is a sight worth capturing. Hiring out one of the romantic rowing boats is also a must: an experience similar to a scene out of the Notebook (minus a wet Ryan Gosling, unfortunately). When you are all paddled out, a bite to eat at Six Poor Folk is much needed, serving unrivalled pub grub. To round off your day, a stroll around Knaresborough Castle is extremely enriching and with an ice-cream from Castle Creamery in hand, history has never been tastier!
- York
Whilst I consider Leeds the best city in Yorkshire, York poses serious competition. It is a particular favourite amongst Leeds students, partly due to its racecourse, although it is contestable how much of the city is explored within the party tent 10 Pimm’s deep!
The Shambles is one of the city’s most famous attractions: a narrow medieval street which bears a striking resemblance to ‘Diagon Alley’ from Harry Potter. Its cobbled lanes are flanked with wizard-themed shops, creating a supernatural atmosphere which sends shivers down your spine. Whilst Spooky season ends on the 1st of November, in York the ghosts refuse to call it a night! The York Ghost Merchants keep the spooky spirit alive year-round by selling hand-crafted ghost figurines, a fun piece of York’s haunted history to take back to Leeds.
If I have inadvertently scared you with the city’s spookiness, December may be a better time to visit as the joyful hum of Christmas carols drowns out any ghostly whispers! Exploring the Christmas markets whilst sipping a velvety hot chocolate is what dreams are made of. After indulging in a famous Yorkshire pudding wrap, you start to feel like Father Christmas himself: jolly and round-bellied. Although York is charming throughout the year, it is truly during the colder months that the city comes into its own.
- Malham, Yorkshire Dales
The Yorkshire Dales is undoubtedly one of England’s most popular natural landmarks and boasts some incredible views. A personal favourite, Malham, is a quintessentially British village which feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of Leeds. With just two pubs and a quaint tea room, Call Lane seems a distant reality. An Otley Run here would hardly be a challenge-you’d be finished in half an hour! Of course, the attraction to the Yorkshire Dales is its serenity which the Dales walking trails offer in abundance. For example, the walk to Malham Cove is incredibly scenic and features in Harry Potter The Deathly Hallow’s, offering a view as magical as Mr. Potter!
If you don’t feel up to walking 230 feet up a cliff, Malham Tarn may be the trail for you. Whilst it did not appear in a famous film franchise, its view of England’s highest natural lake is equally as breath-taking. Gordale Scar is also worth visiting, a ravine with two rushing waterfalls and overhanging cliffs which you can attempt to climb- an activity not recommended for those battling through a hangover! Janet’s Foss earns its place as the most magical part of Malham, a waterfall tucked into the woods and linked to local folklore as the home of the Queen of the Fairies. After a busy day of sightseeing, a hearty pub lunch at The Lister Arms is well-deserved and if you are in the mood for luxury, why not treat yourself to an overnight stay? Although after a stay here, the return to student accommodation may prove particularly challenging!
- Haworth
Haworth is another location which appears on the big screen, in the iconic teen comedy ‘Wild Child’. In a montage accompanied by Sugar Babes’ vocals, the five teenage girls are seen browsing the local charity shop and frequenting the cobbled streets. Whilst a trip to ‘The Souk’ vintage shop sits top of my list, the town’s literary heritage overshadows its brush with the romcom genre. As the home of the Bronte sisters, Charlotte, Emily and Anne, their legacy breathes into every street and is preserved within the Bronte Parsonage Museum. A visit to the writing home of literary geniuses may inspire your next essay, although it might not quite rival Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights.
If you are a Wuthering Heights fan, The Brontë Way and Brontë Waterfalls pathways reveal the village and majestic Moorland which inspired this classic novel. In the wake of Emerald Fennell’s divisive adaptation, there is perhaps no better time to engage with the original source material. Additionally, Haworth’s historic architecture provides the perfect backdrop for the spooky and festive season as the village transforms into a gothic graveyard and Victorian wonderland. The storefront of Cabinet of Curiosities in the Winter months belongs on a post-card with an interior which transport visitors to a different era. Time-travel really is only an hour away!
With my detailed guide to the best places to visit in Yorkshire, there better not be any more bed rotting! Get out on the weekends and explore the wonderful nature which is right at your doorstep. Before Bakery164 becomes the most exotic place you visit in Leeds, swap a book for a map and start navigating the local countryside!
Words by Imogen Farmer