Ten unusual things to do in Yorkshire

Do you fancy shaking things up while you’re visiting the glorious county of Yorkshire? As well as the traditional attractions, there’s a wealth of unusual things to do across this vast area. If you’re after mind-boggling natural and man-made formations, there are plenty of eye-popping treats in store in Yorkshire.

If it’s exhilarating challenges for both mind and body you want, you can climb up, abseil down and even meditate in a cave. If the weather’s not ideal, head indoors to brew up a potion or discover Yorkshire’s thought-provoking history and heritage, including previously top-secret locations to visit (Sshhh! You heard it here first). For even more holiday inspiration, read our guide to the best things to do in Yorkshire. 

Once you’ve planned an invigorating programme of Yorkshire’s out-of-the-ordinary spots, check out some fabulous residences to pair with your adventures.

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Brimham Rocks

The weird and wonderful formations at Brimham Rocks were once explained as being carved by druids, but now geologists have identified that they were 35 million years in the making, starting when the UK was on the equator. Wander through this ancient landscape marvelling at huge boulders balancing on a pebble and rocks resembling smartie tubes.

The visitor centre is also easy on the eye, a beautiful 18^th-century stone house. Along with the fascinating history of the area, there’s also poetry by Poet Laureate Simon Armitage. Don’t forget the snack kiosk for refreshments and a rummage around the second-hand bookshop.

Craven Lime Works

There are two reasons to visit the intriguing Craven Lime Works. First, it’s a rare opportunity to see an example of Yorkshire’s industrial heritage and learn about how lime was produced from the abundant limestone. It was (and still is but now made in enormous plants) used in a myriad of ways including ‘sweetening’ the soil and in mortar.

The second is aesthetics – not only is there the fine architecture of the Hoffmann Kiln, a curved brickwork building that rivals many constructed today, but the rural setting is also gorgeous – right next to The Settle–Carlisle Railway so you could combine a trip on a vintage train too.

Gaping Gill

If you want to experience the true majesty of the UK’s longest waterfall, Gaping Gill, you need to be winched down in a bucket chair into a pothole. At the bottom, you can see the full force of 100 metres of water crashing down into a massive underground cavern. This opportunity comes in the summer months, arranged by the local potholing clubs, but year-round the area is still breathtaking, with the ascent of nearby Ingleborough (one of Yorkshire’s three peaks) an option as well as a jaunt along a nature trail.

Forbidden Corner

Image credit: Forbidden Corner

Those with a penchant for the quirky and eccentric will gravitate to Forbidden Corner, one of North Yorkshire’s most popular days out. There are labyrinthine tunnels, spooky chambers and optical illusions galore, all set in a 4-acre garden. There’s a different display around every corner – discover the Temple of the Underworld, The Eye of the Needle and a glass pyramid. There are also some carefully restored local treasures, such as the stained-glass window in the Castle Tower, which was saved from a nearby church.  

How Stean Gorge

This truly puts the ‘gorge’ in ‘gorgeous’ – a stunning ravine in Nidderdale, which is itself an exceptionally beautiful part of the world. The folk here have come up with some inventive ways to explore How Stean Gorge, either donning wellies and splashing through it by torchlight, or making your way around it spider-like on the Via Ferrata, where you explore the vertical cliffs via ladder, ledge and beam – all safely clipped in, of course.

The glass-floored cafe provides well-earned refreshments and a bird’s eye view of this spectacular natural feature. If you’re looking for unusual things to do in the Yorkshire Dales, you’ve hit pay dirt!

The Potions Cauldron in York

With a strong Hogwarts theme to it, Harry Potter fans will adore The Potions Cauldron in the centre of York, located on the cobbled Shambles – squint and it could be Diagon Alley. Try your hand at making a wizard’s drink during the half-hour potions class or take a virtual trip on a broomstick that flies over local beauty spots and landmarks.

There’s also a magical cocktail-making class, where you get a glimpse inside the secret potions room – this must be one of the most unusual things to do in Yorkshire for adults.  The ‘Apothecary’ gift shop is crammed with all sorts of spellbinding treats to take home, perfect for treating your muggles.

Alpaca trekking

If you’re looking for unusual things to do in South Yorkshire, head to Holly Hagg Community Farm for a spot of alpaca trekking. These friendly and gentle animals make for perfect walking companions. You’ll be matched with a compatible alpaca at the beginning before taking an hour-long tour around the leafy lanes and countryside of the Rivelin Valley surrounding the farm. Be sure to wear sturdy boots as the terrain can be uneven.

You learn so much about these charming creatures and get to hand-feed them too. The farm is run entirely by volunteers and has lots to explore including family-friendly open days, live music and the more traditional farmyard animals to say hello to.  

Coldstones Cut

Even if you don’t know much about art, you can’t fail to admire Coldstones Cut, Yorkshire’s biggest and highest public artwork. Created next to the disused Coldstones Quarry by Andrew Sabin, this inspiring sculpture takes you on a trip overlooking the quarry hole while providing incredible panoramic vistas of Nidderdale, a National Landscape.

It must be one of the few sculptures that you can actually walk inside – there’s a ‘street’ and ‘alleys’ all created in stone blockwork. Hard to describe, it’s visually arresting and well worth the steep footpath up to it, but remember to wrap up warm, the weather can change in a flash in this exposed spot.

York Cold War Bunker

When you think about period properties, you’d assume it meant stately homes, but the York Cold War Bunker is one of the most recently built in English Heritage’s collection. Constructed in the 1960s to monitor fallout after a nuclear attack, it’s a chilling reminder of England’s part in the Cold War. The two-storey, semi-subterranean building is the only one of its kind kept in operational condition in the UK. An hour-long guided tour takes you through the blast-proof doors and back in time, with a vivid film providing shocking details and context.

Stump Cross Caverns

Image credit: Stump Cross Caverns

Venture into Stump Cross Caverns to discover a treasure trove of glittering stalactites and stalagmites in a series of caves. As well as ambling around to admire the mineral formations, trying your hand at panning for gems and digging for fossils, you can also have a sensory adventure with a sound bath. The echoey chambers provide the perfect acoustic backdrop where singing bowls are played to create spine-tingling vibrations. You’ll emerge fully relaxed and tranquil after this mesmerising session, just in time for a restorative cup of tea at the excellent Time Cafe.

Map of unusual things to do in Yorkshire

Find some of the most unusual things to do on a getaway to Yorkshire with this handy map:

Stay at a self-catering Yorkshire cottage

Whether you want to head off the beaten track to visit a fascinating example of Yorkshire’s heritage or explore some of the county’s wilder beauty spots, there’s a holiday cottage perfect to call home during your visit. Since you’re on the hunt for the more unusual tourist attractions, why not book a property that is equally distinct? There are boathouses, chapels and even converted goods wagons to investigate – just tick the ‘quirky’ box to discover some unusual places to stay in Yorkshire.