Julie Smith
10 July 2025
From nostalgic seaside towns to pretty villages and not forgetting a vibrant city that’s full of history, there are so many places to choose from when it comes to holidaying in Yorkshire. In fact, Yorkshire is so vast that it is divided into four counties or ridings: North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire.
To find out which Yorkshire destinations bring the most joy to people, we surveyed more than 20,000 of our guests to find their happiest holiday destinations.
The results are in with a mixture of lovely locations that celebrate the beautiful countryside and stunning coastline that Yorkshire has to offer. For more joyful inspiration, read our guide to the best things to do in Yorkshire and browse our range of hand-picked holiday cottages throughout the region.
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Whitby
With a characterfully cobbled old town, a busting harbour where you can catch boat trips out to sea, an imposing abbey that stands high above the town, and connections to Dracula, Whitby is one of the most popular places to visit in Yorkshire.
It claimed top spot as the happiest destination in Yorkshire, with respondents loving the fabulous fish and chips (The Magpie Café was your favourite place to eat), climbing up the 199 steps to Whitby Abbey, bringing the dog along for a day out at the coast, and watching the world go by from a pub or tearoom.
What you said
- “I’m happiest when pottering about on the beach, looking for fossils and exploring the rockpools.”
- “I love to sit with my dog and a beer watching the boats in the harbour and meeting new people.”
- “Happiness is strolling along quaint seaside streets and harbours, and anticipating fish and chips for lunch.”
York
With one of the best-preserved (and narrowest) medieval streets in the world and ancient city walls encircling the city, York has so many things to do that it attracts visitors from all over the globe. The city is framed by the magnificent York Minster and has the River Ouse running through if you fancy a sightseeing cruise.
York got the runners-up spot in our happiest places survey, with guests loving the city’s magical Christmas market, attractions like the Jorvik Viking Centre, and historical sites such as The Shambles and Clifford Tower.
What you said
- “York has something for everyone. I can’t pick one memory, but have visited on many occasions with friends, family and my dogs.”
- “York is a city of many layers, it's great to just amble around the city without a plan, or to have a plan and visit one or two of the museums and historical sites.”
- “I’m happiest when exploring The Shambles in York.”
Scarborough
Scarborough has been a popular holiday destination since Victorian times and it is hard to beat for a nostalgic seaside getaway with beach huts, buckets and spades, sticks of rock, and donkey rides. You’ll find all of that and more in Scarborough’s bustling South Bay, where you can catch the Victorian cliff lift down to the beach.
Scarborough bagged the bronze medal in our survey, with Peasholm Park, Scarborough Castle and Alpamare among the attractions you love to visit. The pair of sandy beaches at Scarborough was also one of the biggest reasons to visit this North Yorkshire seaside town.
What you said
- “Many happy memories of family times together from childhood to adulthood. Scarborough was the honeymoon destination for myself, my parents and my grandparents.”
- “We always went to Scarborough for my childhood holidays, so all my happy memories of summer are set there.”
- “We love spending the days on Scarborough Beach with our young children building sandcastles together.”
Filey
Another of Yorkshire’s wonderful seaside towns was named the fourth happiest place in the county. Filey marks the southern end of the Cleveland Way National Trail (which follows cliff-top paths down the coast from Saltburn-on-Sea) and is known for its elegant Edwardian architecture, charming gardens, and wide curve of golden sandy beach.
Popular things to do in Filey include visiting the Filey Bird and Animal Park and walking on Filey Brigg, a narrow rocky promontory that’s good for fossil hunting, birdwatching and even spotting dolphins.
What you said
- "Happiness is walking on the beach in Filey at sunrise. It’s so quiet and relaxing, and the views over the coastline are spectacular."
- "I'm happiest when sat at the harbour with an ice cream, watching the incoming tide up to the sea wall."
- "I loved helping the kids find their first fossils, then finding out about them and seeing their astonished faces when they started to realise how old the fossils were."
Harrogate
This popular spa town is known for its large green spaces, gorgeous gardens, and original Turkish Baths. Harrogate is also home to The Stray, a huge stretch of parkland lined with cherry blossom trees, and The Montpellier Quarter where you’ll find pavement cafes and independent shops housed in 19th-century buildings.
Taking fifth place in our survey, things our guests loved to do in Harrogate included browsing antique shops, getting a Fat Rascal at Bettys Tea Rooms, and visiting nearby attractions such as Stockeld Park and Brimham Rocks.
What you said
- "I'm happiest when walking and relaxing in the Valley Gardens in Harrogate."
- "I love spending time exploring the parks and coffee shops and finding a pub with real ale that’s dog friendly with an open fire and great menu."
- "Harrogate is my happy place. I grew up there and have some amazing memories of old friends and good times. I love the walks outside the town, especially to Brimham Rocks."
Helmsley
Located within the North York Moors National Park, Helmsley is a pretty market town is a pretty market town where you’ll find honey-hued cottages, a lovely walled garden, a historic castle and even an outdoor swimming pool for summer. There are plenty of really good places to eat around the town, and a popular outdoor market takes place each Friday in the town square.
Things you love to do in Helmsley, which took sixth place in our survey, includes taking a scenic walk from Helmsley Castle to Rievaulx Abbey, mooching around lovely local shops, and dining at The Star Inn at Harome which holds a Michelin star.
What you said
- “The people are so friendly and there are many other places that can be explored within 10 to 20 miles.”
- “I’m happiest when we walk up to Duncombe Park and look at the views over Helmsley before returning to one of the cafes for coffee and cake.”
- “I’m happiest when wandering through the wonderful walled garden at Helmsley.”
Pickering
Located on the edge of the North York Moors, Pickering is a bustling market town with plenty of pubs, shops, and things to do during a short break or longer holiday. It’s surrounded by pretty villages such as Thornton-le-Dale, while 5 miles away is Dalby Forest where you can enjoy walks, mountain bikes, and swinging through the trees at Go Ape.
Pickering claimed seventh spot as one of the happiest places to stay in Yorkshire thanks to the North York Moors Railway where you can catch a steam train to Whitby and nearby attractions such as Pickering Castle, Camp Eden, and Flamingo Land.
What you said
- "We have wonderful memories of staying here with our children and friends, and visiting the NYMR for steam trains and nostalgia."
- "Pickering! Just makes us happy and the dogs love it too!"
- "When staying in Pickering last summer, my husband and I made the most of our NYMR tickets and took our grandson for a trip to Goathland."
Robin Hood’s Bay
The meandering streets of Robin Hood’s Bay wind their way from the cliffs to the beach and are filled with traditional 17th-century fishermen’s cottages. The village, often named one of the prettiest in Yorkshire, was once a haven for smugglers but is now filled with charming cafes, pubs and shops.
Robin Hood’s Bay came eighth in our survey of the happiest places in Yorkshire thanks to its dog-friendly beach filled with interesting rock pools, the stunning views from the top of the village, and the charming maze of cottages that seemingly cling to the cliff.
What you said
- "We love spending the whole day on the beach to look for fossils and explore the rock pools before getting an ice cream from the van that drives onto it!"
- "I’m happiest when taking my children to my favourite place as a child for them to also love!"
- "As a child, we did a school trip to Robin Hood's Bay. I loved the walks along the coastline, stopping to take pictures and draw the local wildlife and fauna."
Staithes
Another pretty Yorkshire Coast village that’s one of your happiest places to stay in Yorkshire is Staithes. You’ll find traditional wooden coble fishing boats in the beck that runs through the middle of Staithes, and glorious cliff-top views from Boulby Cliff – the highest point on the east coast of England.
A popular place to eat in Staithes is The Cod and Lobster which is well known for its fresh crab sandwiches. Once a year the village hosts the Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage where many of the fishermen’s cottages are turned into miniature art galleries for the weekend. Browsing the local art is a wonderful thing to do during a visit to Staithes
What you said
- "I love the simple pleasure of walking the coastal path with the dogs, taking in its natural beauty and finishing the afternoon with a couple of pints in the Cod and Lobster."
- "I’m happiest when sat with my family overlooking the waves roll over the harbour walls with a warm cup of chocolate."
- "So many happy memories including collecting sea glass with the kids – I found the most wonderful ammonite, which is amongst my most-treasured possessions."
Hawes
One of the highest market towns in England, Hawes has a prime location in the middle of the Yorkshire Dales National Park and is famed for producing Wallace and Gromit’s favourite cheese at the Wensleydale Creamery. You can reach Hawes via the Buttertubs Pass, a road that crosses the high moorland between Wensleydale and Swaledale with stunning views along the way.
Hawes made the list as one of the happiest places to stay in Yorkshire thanks to plenty of nearby waterfall walks that sooth the soul including Hardraw Force, which has England’s highest single-drop fall and lies in the grounds of the historic Green Dragon Inn.
What you said
- "I am happiest when I can introduce others to Hawes – my favourite place in the world."
- "Walking across the open country and hills, taking time to stop and relish the beautiful peace and quiet of the Dales."
- "My kids love to get a pizza from the takeaway in Hawes and drive out to sit on the moor to eat it with a great view and a sunset."
Map of the happiest places in Yorkshire
Find the location of the 10 happiest places in Yorkshire with this handy map:
Ready to find your happy place in Yorkshire?
Whether you fancy exploring the beaches and seaside towns of the Yorkshire Coast with your family or hunkering down with a loved one for some peaceful time together in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, you’ll find joyful places to stay all over ‘God’s Own Country’.
Browse our hand-picked collection of Yorkshire holiday cottages to find your perfect base.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.