North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is England’s largest county, and many of the people who live or visit the area will tell you it is one of the most picturesque and a terrific place to spend any amount of time.

From the Yorkshire Dales in the west, past the city of York – which is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations – through the North York Moors to the magnificent Yorkshire Coast towns of Scarborough and Whitby, North Yorkshire truly has the lot for visitors, from historic sights to impressive natural wonders.

Regions in North Yorkshire

• Yorkshire Dales
• North York Moors
• Herriot Country

North Yorkshire Cities and Large Towns

• York
• Northallerton
• Harrogate
• Middlesbrough
• Scarborough
• Ripon
• Whitby
• Northallerton
• Selby
• Bedale
• Leyburn

About North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire is the largest non-metropolitan county and lieutenancy area in England, covering an area of 3,341 square miles.

Around 40% of the county is covered by national parks, including most of the Yorkshire Dales (the Yorkshire Dales National Park) and the North York Moors (the North York Moors National Park).

It is one of four counties in England to jointly comprise Yorkshire; the three other counties are the East Riding of Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.

From 1974 (via Local Government Act 1972) to 1996, North Yorkshire was entirely within the Yorkshire and the Humber region.

Since 1996, parts of the North East England region joined the county non-administratively. York also moved into being a non-administrative part of the county in 1996.

The Middlesbrough built-up area (population: 174,700) is the most populous settlement while the York built-up area is second with a population of 152,841, although neither form part of the administrative county, and are not governed by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC).

Mid-2016 estimates by the ONS recorded a 602,300 population in the NYCC area.

The most populous settlement in the administrative county (and third in the overall ceremonial county) is Harrogate (Population: 75,070); followed by Scarborough (Population: 61,749).

Northallerton, the administrative county town, was recorded with a 16,832 population.

While York is not technically in the administrative region, as it is a unitary authority in its own right, it is the historic capital of Yorkshire, and sits entirely within North Yorkshire geographically.

Other large settlements in the county are Redcar, Thornaby-on-Tees and Ingleby Barwick.

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North Yorkshire Pictures

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North Yorkshire on the Map

While York falls within North Yorkshire historically, it is an autonomous region for an administrative perspective, hence the red line skirts around York in the map, below.

Just look at the size of the region, though… a huge chunk of resplendent North country.

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North Yorkshire Facts

1. North Yorkshire is a county located in the north of England, and it is the largest county in England by area.
2. The county is home to the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the North York Moors National Park, both of which attract millions of visitors each year.
3. North Yorkshire has a population of around 600,000 people and covers an area of 8,654 square kilometers.
4. The county has a rich history that spans thousands of years, with evidence of human activity dating back to the Stone Age.
5. North Yorkshire was originally part of the ancient kingdom of Northumbria, and it became part of the county of Yorkshire in the 16th century.
6. The city of York, which was once the capital of the Roman province of Britannia Inferior, is located in North Yorkshire.
7. North Yorkshire is home to a number of famous landmarks, including the ruins of Fountains Abbey and the 14th-century Bolton Castle.
8. The county has a strong agricultural tradition, with sheep farming being particularly important in the upland areas.
9. North Yorkshire is also known for its brewing industry, with many small breweries producing traditional ales, as well as large and more famous brewing families of Masham and Tadcaster.
10. The town of Harrogate is famous for its spa waters, which were believed to have medicinal properties in the 19th century.
11. North Yorkshire is home to the highest pub in England, the Tan Hill Inn, which is located at an altitude of 1,732 feet above sea level.
12. The county is also home to a number of historic market towns, including Richmond, Helmsley, and Thirsk.
13. North Yorkshire has a rich literary heritage, with famous writers such as the Bronte sisters and James Herriot setting their works in the county.
14. The county has a strong sporting tradition, with horse racing, cricket, and rugby league all popular.
15. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a heritage steam railway, is one of the county’s most popular tourist attractions.
16. North Yorkshire is home to a number of historic castles, including Scarborough Castle and Skipton Castle.
17. The county is also home to a number of museums, including the National Railway Museum in York and the Yorkshire Museum in the same city.
18. North Yorkshire has a diverse landscape, ranging from the rugged coastline to the rolling hills of the Yorkshire Dales.
19. The county has a strong tradition of folk music, with a number of festivals and events taking place throughout the year.
20. The town of Scarborough is one of the county’s most popular seaside resorts, attracting millions of visitors each year.
21. North Yorkshire is home to a number of famous churches and cathedrals, including York Minster and Ripon Cathedral.
22. The county has a strong military tradition, with a number of army and air force bases located in the area.
23. North Yorkshire has a number of important transport links, including the A1(M) motorway and the East Coast Main Line railway.
24. The county has a strong food and drink culture, with local specialties including Yorkshire pudding, Wensleydale cheese, and Whitby seafood.
25. North Yorkshire is home to a number of popular outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, and rock climbing.

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North Yorkshire FAQ’s