My 18 favourite North-East England & North Yorkshire Places - for the best views and superb walks

 

The lone tree on amongst the heather on Egton Moor, North York Moors. This is just one of my favourite places in Northern England - read on to discover them all...

My 18 favourite places in North-Yorkshire & North-East England 

I live in the North-East England and much of my outdoor adventures and walks featured in this blog tends to be from close to where I live, such as North-Yorkshire, Northumberland and of course the Lake District. I thought I'd share my 18 favourite places in North Yorkshire and the North-East in one blog post (The Lake District is covered in it's own dedicated blog posts - otherwise this list would be massive!).

The places I've listed below are those places I seem to return to again and again, and if I only visited these places for the rest of my days I'd be a happy man :-) If you are not familiar with Northern-England, and you are looking to plan some trips - then I hope the below are of use. You will find dedicated blog posts for walks in each of these areas throughout the blog. 

#1. Roseberry Topping, North York Moors

This area is the closest on the list to where I live and I visit it often - so I've got a bit of a soft-spot for Roseberry Topping - it was the first thing I ever climbed when I was a nipper! This view is probably my favourite viewpoint of Roseberry Topping. It's taken from just above the old quarry on Cockshaw Hill and isn't far from Captain Cooks monument

#2. High Force waterfall, County Durham

The spectacular High Force waterfall in Autumn - it's an impressive waterfall and makes for a good walk too - which can be as short or long as you like!

#3. Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland

Bamburgh Castle in all its glory at sunrise on the unspoilt Northumberland coastline. This has got to be one of my favourite coastal locations in the whole of the UK and this is my favourite viewpoint of Bamburgh Castle. Sunrise is when this view looks it's most impressive

#4. Hadrians Wall, Housesteads Roman Fort, Northumberland 

There are many great views to be had along Hadian's Wall - but this one, looking towards the section known as Housesteads, has to be the most iconic. One day I'll visit at sunrise!

#5. Aysgarth Falls, Yorkshire Dales

Aysgarth Falls is perhaps the most well-known set of waterfalls Yorkshire, having featured in Hollywood movies. There are 3 sections, Upper, Middle & Lower. Personally I prefer the lower falls -and best images I have taken at Aysgarth Falls where on an Autumn Evening, when the tree's turned a lovely rusty colour.

#6. The Lone Tree, Egton Moor, North York Moors

The heather is pretty spectacular on the North York Moors and the lone tree up on Egton Moor is my favourite location of them all to photograph the carpet of pink heather around August time 

#7. Sutton Bank & Gormire Lake, Yorkshire

The views from the top of Sutton Bank are pretty special - and quite accessible too as you can drive to the top of Sutton bank. This view of Whitestone Cliff and Gormire Lake is one of my favourites in the area and about a 30 min walk from the car park at Sutton Bank visitors centre

#8. Twistelton Scar, near Ingleton, Yorkshire

There are some excellent photo opportunities and compositions to be had all around Twistleton Scar End, with it's Limestone Pavement and unique wind battered trees. Many photos I personally like of Twistleton Scar End are of sunsets and moody skies, but I've yet to be in the area for these kind of photos - watch this space haha 

#9. Malham Cove, Yorkshire

Admiring the stunning views on top of the stunning Malham Cove in the Yorkshire Dales. The Yorkshire Dales are famed for their unique rocky limestone landscapes and Malham Cove is perhaps the most distinctive - it's a brilliant place for a walk!

#10. Osmotherly and the Clevaland Way, Yorkshire

This is another place quite close to where I have a soft-spot for it and visit it often. It's literally about a 15min drive from the industrial Teesside, but you feel like you are far away from all that - probably why I like it so much! I like to start my walk at Osmotherly and then track the Cleveland Way to Cod Beck Reservoir - and when the view opens up like this - I can't fail but to be impressed!

#11. Hardraw Force, Yorkshire

Hardraw Force - Englands highest waterfall in all its glory - its surprising just how accessible the walk is - it's perfect for kids and the elderly and is in a stunning setting. Well worth a visit any time of year!

#12. Alnmouth. Northumberland

The Northumberland coastline is superb and there's lot of places along it worth stopping. The view from Alnmouth from St.Cutherberts Cross is definitely up there

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My favourite urban places

As well as the natural settings featured above, there's also some more urban, historic locations I love to visit time and again in the area, and below are my 5 favourite: 

#13. Durham Cathedral

Durham is one of my favourite smaller cities and I visit it often as it's not far from where I live. Here's the City Centre and its Cathedral from a ‘birds eye’ drone shot. Not many realise the River Wear forms an island like feature around Durham Cathedral, but it makes for a perfect short river walk around Durham's bustling centre. 

#14. Staithes, North Yorkshire Coast

Staithes in North-Yorkshire is my favourite northern coastal villages. It's like a place where time has tood still. My favourite view is this one overlooking the cottage rooftops. 

#15. Newcastle Gateshead Quayside

Newcastle is the city I visit most - its great for shopping, culture, bars & restaurants. My favourite viewpoint is this one looking up the River Tyne, with the modern Millennium Bridge in the foreground and the iconic Tyne Bridge in the background. 

#16. The City of York

York is a historic Northern city and is full of character and charm. One of my best views and a much photographed point in York is on this ancient York City Walls walk from the train station with the medieval wall leading your eye all the way to an impressive view of York Minister. I also love the Shambles in York but I've yet to visit when you can get a good photo without the crowds around!

#17. Whitby, Yorkshire

Whitby is a historic old fishing town on the North Yorkshire coast and there's lots of places worth visiting when in Whitby. My favourite view has to be from the famed 199 Whitby Steps on the way up to the Abbey. Sunrise in mid-summer is the best time to be at this spot and this photo from my mate Ashely Foster is stunning (@ash_foster_photography)

#18. and finally...The Angel of North

I guess I should finish this post about my favourite Northern places with  one of the The iconic Angel of the North, in Gateshead, another photographers dream!

Compiling this list was hard! You may have some favourites not on here that you think deserve to be - one place that nearly was was Whitby but I don't have any decent photos of the place! Please comment if you think I've missed anywhere!

Anyhow - I hope this blog post has inspired you to want to visit North-Yorkshire and North-East England - it really is a beautiful part of the world.

Happy Hiking!

Post by Stuart Hodgson 

'The Hiking Photographer'

I share my adventures as I love the outdoors and it's spectacular natural landscapes. Being outside can also bring many benefits to us, including improvements to our physical & mental health and I want to help others reap these benefits too. I hope you enjoy the blog and it inspires you to plan a trip or two!

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