What We Love About Yorkshire

Special Features

With Yorkshire Day kicking off August it’s that time of year again when we celebrate everything our glorious county has to offer. Rich in history and tradition, with some of the best countryside, coasts, and cities in the UK, all topped off by the wonderfully friendly Yorkshire folk it’s no wonder we are in the top 10 best holiday destinations in the WORLD!

Leeds, York and Scarborough are in the top ten most visited towns in the whole of England by UK residents. It is easy to see why.

Leeds is fast becoming the place to be for shopping and nightlife. The new Trinity shopping centre combines the best high street names with independent boutiques and eateries. The Headingley stadium provides Leeds with top sporting events such as Yorkshire Cricket and the Rugby World Cup. The arts are also a large part of the city with historically important theatres, Northern Ballet, and the Art Gallery.

York is a vibrant city and a real melting pot of Roman, Viking and medieval history. You can visit the Jorvik centre to take a trip around Viking York, and then wander over to the Shambles to enjoy a little retail therapy in the Medieval street. York’s city walls can still be walked along and the two ‘bars’ or wall gatehouses tell a story of the history of the city. The York Minster, consecrated in 1472 is a magnificent building and contains the greatest concentration of medieval stained glass in England.

Scarborough is Britain’s first seaside resort, with families flocking there for over 360 years. This popular resort is also home to two of the world’s first purpose built hotels – The Grand and The Crown. The long stretch of sandy beach is perfect for sandcastles and donkey rides, overlooked by the vast array of amusement arcades and rides. Visitors can enjoy a stroll around the varied shops in the town, and of course Scarborough is overlooked by the imposing medieval castle which sits on a site occupied since Roman times!

There are many reasons to celebrate our county, read on to find out what some of Yorkshire’s more famous characters love about ‘Gods Own County’ and why they are proud to call it home. Over the next few pages we bring you a selection of grand Stately Homes and Gardens, Castles, Coastal towns and stunning Dales. We are featuring a Yorkshire born award-winning photographer, who despite travelling around the world, loves nothing more than photographing the beauty of his home county. Also, did you know that Pateley Bridge is home to England’s oldest sweet shop? Read more about that in Selina’s article. And of course, this ‘Yorkshire Special’ wouldn’t be complete without a profile of the Yorkshire Terrier in our Wagging Tales section. Our star this month is Poppy who was featured a couple of years ago, but as a member of the Yorkshire Reporter family, she couldn’t wait to get involved again with an update from her owner! Enjoy!


The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu said:

“In 2007 I was voted Yorkshire Man of the Year – it is an accolade that I am honoured to have been given. It is the people of Yorkshire that make it such a great place to be; they tell it as it is! I travel widely in Yorkshire, though I’m usually working in the back seat of my car. But I’ve only to look out of the car window to see God’s glorious handiwork. That always lifts my spirits.

I often tell people it’s not called ‘God’s own country’ for nothing – or should I say, ‘for nowt’!  One of my favourite landmarks is York Minster – it is an amazing and awe-inspiring place to be”.

David Lascelles, Earl of Harewood said:

“When a Yorkshireman or woman first greets an outsider, what they’re most likely to say is “Now then”, with just a hint of a question mark, a little bit skeptical: What are you doing here? Are you for real? If time and longer acquaintance answers those questions satisfactorily, Yorkshire people are the friendliest and most hospitable people imaginable.  Look at the response to the Tour de France last year. “Now then?” becomes “Now then!” – more assertive, friendlier, what are we going to get up to together?

So – apart from its beautiful countryside, vibrant cities and the fact that Yorkshire has one of the richest and most exciting cultural landscapes in Britain (visual arts, theatre, dance, films, music) – what I like most about Yorkshire is the people who live here. All worth celebrating on this and future Yorkshire Days”.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said:

“This county is a special place, really without comparison anywhere in the world, and that’s in part due to the people who live here, as well as the incredible cities and landscapes.

“I have always been incredibly proud of Yorkshire, and particularly so over what the county has achieved over the last few years. I think it takes a really special kind of people to come together in the way that Yorkshire folk did for the Tour de France last year and the Tour de Yorkshire this year, and that’s something unique to Yorkshire.”

The Lord Mayor of Leeds Cllr Judith Chapman said:

“The beauty and diversity of our county, from its large and small cities and towns to its beautiful countryside and seaside resorts are rightly loved by people from around the world. It is fantastic therefore that on Yorkshire Day we have the opportunity to come together and celebrate everything that is great about the white rose.

“While there certainly is so much to love about Yorkshire, the one thing that always stands out for me is the people. Being the Lord Mayor of Leeds has given me the brilliant opportunity to meet so many wonderful people from across Yorkshire, whose kindness, generosity and support, not to mention their fantastic sense of humour, are something I think we all can be very proud of.”

Linda Logan and Angela Baker of Calendar Girls said:

“Well of course there is the beauty of Yorkshire. But unique is its humour and the fact that even in the darkest moments that humour is still there. Its people also have a generosity of spirit. We doubt that Calendar Girls would have been a success anywhere other than Yorkshire”

Arthur France, founder of Leeds Carnival said:

“I came to Yorkshire from my native Nevis in 1957 so I love that it is my home from home. My fascination with architecture means I have a special appreciation for some of the cityscapes that we’re fortunate to see everyday whilst the stunning rural settings just miles away remind me of Caribbean hills and farmland back home. Most of all I love the Yorkshire folks’ true grit and resilience which mirror the passion and and dedication of the communities behind Carnival for 48 years”.

Leeds United’s Charlie Taylor said:

“I was born in York and have spent most of my life in Yorkshire – I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. It is especially a great place for football and every Yorkshire derby feels like a big occasion. The people are passionate about their sport and are never afraid to tell you what they think”.

Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips said:

“I’ve always lived in Yorkshire and I love playing my football in my hometown of Leeds – that makes me really proud. Fans seem to like seeing one of their own make it in the first-team and the support I have received has been brilliant. Yorkshire is a great place for sport – not just football. It’s something to be proud of”.

Harold ‘Dickie’ Bird OBE said:

“Yorkshire is the finest region in the world. I am honoured to have grown up and for most of my life live in such a beautiful place that we take for granted. I have travelled the world but there is nothing quite like coming back to God’s Country.”

Sir Ian McGeechan – Legendary British & Irish Lions player and coach now Yorkshire Carnegie Executive President said:

“I love the natural beauty and variety in the different landscapes in Yorkshire, from the Dales to the Moors and on to the coast. I was born and brought up in Leeds and think it is a great vibrant city”.

Jamie Peacock MBE – Former Great Britain and England captain said:

“I love Yorkshire because there are plenty of down to earth honest folk in the county. With a great diversity of scenery and culture”.

Danny McGuire – England international and leading try scorer of all time in Super League said:

“I love Yorkshire because of the variety the county consists of. The bustling cities, beautiful countryside and great people”.

Jamie Jones-Buchanan – England international and Leeds Rhinos legend said:

“I love Yorkshire because I was born on Yorkshire Day having spent nine months being carried by my mum whilst she worked at Yorkshire Cricket club.  My favourite drink is Yorkshire tea, my old fashioned, traditional personality means that I must have Yorkshire puddings every Sunday and the rolling Yorkshire countryside makes for the best sport and scenery anywhere in the country. If you visit Yorkshire and don’t love it, then “thas Leet thee””.

Jonny Brownlee, Tri athlete said:

“Whenever I get the chance, I tell people I’m from Yorkshire. It’s something I’m very proud of; the beautiful scenery – dry stone walls, green hills and purple moors – the honest, straight talking people, and the the outdoor sporting culture”.

Nicola Adams, Olympic Boxer said:

“Yorkshire’s a great place. Full of supportive people, especially Leeds. I’ve had so much support in the last few years from some great Yorkshire people who have helped me win gold medals and made me into a champion”.

Tags:

You May Also Like

Monarch searches for ultimate Yorkshireman (or woman) to finally leave God’s Own Country
From Award Winning Documentary Making To Photography, There’s Nowt Like Yorkshire

Author

Must Read

No results found.

Menu