Yorkshire has always had a distinct and independent character. Through the centuries, it has been both a centre of Crown and Church power and a centre for rebellion.
Centre of Fashion
The country seats of great noblemen became centres of fashion, new architecture and interior design where innovators like Robert Adam, Capability Brown, J M W Turner and Thomas Chippendale left their mark. Textiles and coal brought new wealth in the 19th century and today the area is recognised for its natural beauty, home to two national parks.
Historic abbeys
Yorkshire’s magnificent ruined abbeys still bestride the county, the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey and Fountains Abbey are now central features in later pleasure gardens. Follow a history trail from medieval Skipton Castle and Markenfield Hall to Jacobean Temple Newsam and Kiplin Hall. Then explore baroque magnificence at Castle Howard before the restrained elegance of the cool classical interiors at Harewood House. Yorkshire’s famous gardens include picturesque landscape at Plumpton Rocks, celebrated double herbaceous borders at Newby Hall and the arts and crafts gem at York Gate Garden.