Yorkshire Facts

Key facts

  • Yorkshire is England’s largest county with a population bigger than Scotland.
  • Yorkshire is home to three national parks (North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park and Peak District National Park).

Yorkshire’s Michelin Star restaurants

Yorkshire boasts more top racecourses than any other region of the UK

Famous people from Yorkshire include:

Yorkshire birthplace of many Olympic heroes including:

  • Athlete – Hannah Cockroft
  • Athlete – Jessica Ennis-Hill
  • Boxer – Nicola Adams
  • Cyclist – Lizzie Deignan (formerly Armitstead)
  • Cyclist – Ed Clancy
  • Triathletes – Alistair and Jonny Brownlee

And don’t forget cycling…

  • Yorkshire hosted the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2014 which generated £102 million for the county’s economy.
  • The first ever Tour de Yorkshiretook place in May 2015, attracting top riders including Sir Bradley Wiggins, Ed Clancy and Ben Swift.
  • Tour de Yorkshire 2016 took place in April 2016 and attracted riders such as Sir Bradley Wiggins, Luke Rowe and Lars Petter Nordhaug. It generated almost £60 million for the economy.
  • In 2016, the Asda Women’s Tour de Yorkshire become one of the most lucrative women’s cycle race in the world, offering financial parity as the men with a total of £50,000 to individuals and teams, and the same media coverage as the men.
  • Tour de Yorkshire 2017 went to Bridlington, Scarborough, Tadcaster, Harrogate, Bradford and Fox Valley, Sheffield ran from Friday, April 28 to Sunday, April 30. 
  • Tour de Yorkshire 2018 went to Beverley, Doncaster, Barnsley, Ilkley, Richmond and Scarborough and saw the race grow to four stages for the men and two stages for the women.
  • Tour de Yorkshire 2019 visited Barnsley, Bedale, Bridlington, Doncaster, Halifax, Leeds, Scarborough and Selby; taking place 2-5 May 2019.
  • Yorkshire hosted the 2019 UCI Road World Cycling Championships in September.

Yorkshire Domestic Overnight Tourism Q2-Q4 2021 (April-December)

  • Trips 9.6 million
  • £2,229 million
  • 31.6 million nights

Source: Visit Britain

Yorkshire Day Trips

  • 140.8 million trips
  • Days visits represent 10% of all trips
  • £6,429 million spent
  • 11% of all tourism spend

All data is from the Great Britain Day Visits Survey (GBDVS)

Yorks / Humber Visitor Admission Trends 2021: Breakdown by admission charge

87 attractions providing data

  • 2020/21 change %
  • Free +41 <50
  • Paid +47
  • Coastal (<10)
  • Rural +39 <50
  • Urban +49 <50

<50 Base size below 50 (please treat with caution) <10 Base size less than 10 (figure therefore omitted)

2020/21 Stated change in volume of overseas visitors

  • 40% of sites stating ‘Up’
  • 45% of sites stating ‘Consistent’
  • 15% of sites stating ‘Down’

2020/21 Stated change in volume of Local / Day Trip

  • 45% of sites stating ‘Up’
  • 23% of sites stating ‘Consistent’
  • 32% of sites stating ‘Down’

2020/21 Stated change in volume of Family Visitors

  • 56% of sites stating ‘Up’
  • 30% of sites stating ‘Consistent’
  • 14% of sites stating ‘Down’

Returning to Pre-pandemic Staffing Levels: By Region, Area Type and Admission Charge

  • 75% of attractions are back to pre-pandemic staffing levels

Yorkshire’s Grand Scale

Yorkshire proudly stands as England’s largest county, both in terms of land area and a robust population that even surpasses that of Scotland. As a vast region, it offers a mix of urban and rural landscapes, adding to its diversity and charm.

A Natural Haven: National Parks of Yorkshire

Home to not one, but three national parks—North York Moors National Park, Yorkshire Dales National Park, and Peak District National Park—Yorkshire serves as a sanctuary for both nature lovers and adventure seekers. These parks preserve a variety of ecosystems and offer numerous outdoor activities, making Yorkshire a hub for environmental conservation and tourism alike.

Yorkshire’s Michelin Star Restaurants: Culinary Excellence

Yorkshire’s culinary scene is not to be overlooked, boasting an array of Michelin-starred restaurants. These include The Angel at Hetton, The Pipe and Glass in South Dalton, The Black Swan at Oldstead, The Star Inn at Harome, and The Man Behind the Curtain in Leeds. These dining establishments have placed Yorkshire on the global gastronomic map, offering world-class cuisine that ranges from traditional British fare to modern, innovative dishes.

A Winning Streak: Yorkshire’s Racecourses

Yorkshire offers more top racecourses than any other UK region, hosting esteemed venues such as Ripon, Catterick, Beverley, Thirsk, Pontefract, Wetherby, York, Redcar, and Doncaster Racecourses. The county’s strong equestrian heritage attracts racing enthusiasts from across the globe, contributing to its vibrant tourism and sporting culture.

Iconic Yorkshire Personalities

From the arts to sports, Yorkshire has given birth to a multitude of famous personalities. Among them are Dame Judi Dench, artist David Hockney, the literary Brontë sisters, sculptors Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, cricketer Joe Root, actor Brian Blessed, actor Sean Bean, television presenter Jeremy Clarkson, and the Thirteenth Doctor, Jodie Whittaker. These luminaries have added rich layers to the tapestry of Yorkshire’s cultural and social heritage.

Olympic Heroes from Yorkshire

Yorkshire’s athletic prowess is underlined by its roster of Olympic heroes. Notable athletes include Hannah Cockroft and Jessica Ennis-Hill, boxer Nicola Adams, cyclists Lizzie Deignan (formerly Armitstead) and Ed Clancy, and triathletes Alistair and Jonny Brownlee. These individuals have not only won laurels for themselves but have also elevated Yorkshire’s standing in the global sporting arena.

The Cycling Capital: Yorkshire’s Contributions to Cycling

Cycling is more than a sport in Yorkshire; it’s a cultural phenomenon. The county hosted the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2014, generating an impressive £102 million for the local economy. Since then, it has organized the annual Tour de Yorkshire, drawing top-tier talent and further contributing to local economic growth. The 2019 UCI Road World Cycling Championships took place in Yorkshire, cementing its reputation as a global cycling hub.

Tourism Statistics: Overnight and Day Trips

In terms of overnight tourism for Q2-Q4 2021, Yorkshire saw a remarkable 9.6 million trips, generating a spending of £2,229 million with a total of 31.6 million nights. For day trips, there were a massive 140.8 million trips, making up 10% of all tourism visits with £6,429 million spent, accounting for 11% of all tourism spending in the UK.

Visitor Admission Trends and Overseas Visitors

Data from 87 attractions in 2021 showed a significant increase in both free and paid admissions. Overseas visitor volume indicated a positive trend, with 40% of sites reporting an increase. Family visits and local/day trips have seen growth as well, indicating a resilient tourism sector in the face of global challenges.

Staffing Levels: A Sign of Recovery

As a positive indication of recovery from the pandemic’s impacts, 75% of attractions in Yorkshire have returned to pre-pandemic staffing levels, highlighting the resilience and dynamism of the region’s tourism and hospitality sectors.

All this information not only showcases Yorkshire as a hub of natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic vitality but also attests to its resilience and continual growth across various sectors.