About Yorkshire and Humber

All you need to know about Yorkshire and Humber region!

There are 15 local authorities in the Yorkshire and Humber region. They are Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Doncaster, East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull, Kirklees, Leeds, North East Lincolnshire, North Lincolnshire, North Yorkshire, Rotherham, Sheffield, Wakefield and York. 

The flag of Yorkshire is a White Rose on a blue background. White Rose of Yorkshire goes back to the fourteenth century – Edmund of Langley, the first Duke of York. 

Yorkshire has a mixed economy. Leeds is Yorkshire's largest city and is the main centre of trade and commerce and is one of the UK's larger financial centres. Sheffield once had heavy industries, such as coal mining and steel, but with the industry declining, the region has reinvented itself as a centre for specialist engineering and has attracted tertiary and administrative businesses including more retail trade.  

North Yorkshire has an established tourist industry with two national parks (Yorkshire Dales National Park, North York Moors National Park), Harrogate, York and Scarborough. Kingston upon Hull is Yorkshire's largest port and has a large manufacturing base, its fishing industry has however declined somewhat in recent years.  

Harrogate and Knaresborough both have small legal and financial sectors. Harrogate is also a European conference and exhibition destination with both the Great Yorkshire Showground and Harrogate International Centre in the town.  

Getting around Yorkshire and Humber  

Most towns and cities in Yorkshire and Humber offer regular buses, trains and coach services. There are also plenty of ways to get around, see your local areas transport service in West Yorkshire , North Yorkshire , South Yorkshire , East Yorkshire. 

In England, you can apply for a free bus pass once you reach state pension age. State Pension age can be checked here and depends on your date of birth. Free bus pass can be claimed via this link https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-elderly-person-bus-pass 

Train services can be checked on the Trainline website. Trainline covers journeys throughout Yorkshire and Humber and beyond. Consider getting one of the railcards for up to 1/3 off selected train fares.  

Places to visit 

Here you can find outdoor activities and famous landmarks that Yorkshire and Humber have to offer https://www.yorkshire.com/   

You do not need a car to explore Yorkshire – here are some great walks starting at railway stations. 6 great walks starting at Yorkshire railway stations | Great British Life 

The National Trust locations are a great a way to explore Yorkshire and Humberside. 

Explore open-air collection of sculptures and art installations in Yorkshire Sculpture Park, just outside of Wakefield. 

The Deep in Hull is a spectacular aquarium, home to 3500 fish, marine life and plenty of activities for all.  

Yorkshire Wildlife Park has welcomed two baby camels this spring! The park is situated near Doncaster, close to key travel links. 

Malham Cove has been featured in the film Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, Harry & Hermione set up camp in a tent on the Limestone Pavement at the top of Malham Cove.  

Yorkshire is home to the Yorkshire Three Peaks, each peak totalling 24 miles. The peaks include Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough. Three Peak challenge is a well-known excursion requiring hikers to complete all three peaks within 12 hours.  

Haworth village is home to the Brontë sister’s parsonage and museum which you can visit. Explore the village’s cobbled streets and beautiful moors. 

Sheffield is home to the Winter Garden This indoor garden is great place to stop for a peaceful time out in the heart of Sheffield. If the weather is getting in the way of exploring nature, why not step into warmer climates inside Tropical World in Leeds. 

Yorkshire Museum has recently opened Roman hoard display – a collection of 1,800-year-old Roman bronzes found by metal detectorists in a field in North Yorkshire in May 2020.  

National Railway Museum in York is an excellent day out with the family, or for those having an interest in old locomotives from the 19th and 20th century!  

Enjoy North Yorkshires scenic coastal towns, like Whitby. There are plenty of things to do there – visiting Whitby Abbey, following Dracula’s 199 steps, trying local fish and chips or just simply enjoy the seaside views.  

Aysgarth Falls in North Yorkshire. This easy-going 2.2-mile walk is full of Yorkshire’s finest nature, full of wildflowers, and incredible views across Wensleydale, as well as a walk past the historic Bolton Castle. Find the route here 

The Peak District is one of the UK's most visited national parks spanning around 555 square miles of the most beautiful areas of Derbyshire, Staffordshire, Cheshire, Yorkshire and even parts of Greater Manchester. It was the first National Park ever created in the UK and the most common activities include walking, climbing, caving and camping. For more info visit See and do: Peak District National Park and Peak District - Everything You Need To Know 

With its towering gothic minster, pretty market squares and beautiful Georgian townhouses, Beverley is a town steeped in history, easily explored on foot.  

Hebden Bridge’s high street is completely devoid of chain stores. Instead, you’ll find a welcome array of independent shops touting everything from wool to records as buying local is a way of life there. 

Activities to get involved in 

Do you like running or you’re looking to meet other runners in your area? Find your local running club at Running clubs in Yorkshire | timeoutdoors 

Local libraries are organising many free activities and events for kids and adults. It’s a great place to meet local people and practice English. Some examples below: 

• Doncaster – List of libraries and activities 

• North Yorkshire – List of libraries and activities 

• Leeds – Story & Rhyme for the kids 

• Sheffield – Coffee mornings and other social events 

• Wakefield – Chat and chill, garden club and more 

Belonging Café – Once a month on a Sunday evening 7 – 8:30pm UK time, Belonging Café hosts a free group for international women who have relocated in a new country. You are welcome to join the circle and meet new people with similar experiences to yours. Belonging Café   

Free Gardening Group in Leeds – weekly gardening group to learn new skills, make friends and transform your neighbourhood. Lincoln Greeners is free to join, and everyone is welcome. Tuesdays 1-3pm, refreshments and bus tickets provided. Where: Roxby Close, LS9 7LR; Sign up via Workshop sign up form — Mafwa Theatre

Activities for kids 

Find afterschool clubs and other activities to keep the kids entertained and active Club and Classes in Your Local Zone - Families Online 

Scouts are a great way to fill children’s time with outdoor activities and meet other local children. This is also an opportunity for parents to volunteer. Find local Scout groups here.  

Volunteering opportunities

Each local area has its own directory of volunteering opportunities: 

• Harrogate Volunteering Directory | Harrogate & District Community Action (hadca.org.uk) 

• Kirklees Opportunities – Volunteering Kirklees (tslkirklees.org.uk) 

• Leeds How to get involved with my community – Doing Good Leeds 

• Sheffield I want to volunteer – Volunteer Centre Sheffield (sheffieldvolunteercentre.org.uk) 

• Wakefield Volunteer › Wakefield (volunteerwakefield.org) 

• York Volunteering Opportunities in York – York Volunteers – York CVS 

Across Yorkshire – Do you love driving, have some spare time on your hands and like meeting new people? Patient Transport Service role might be of interest. Or want to help local community and become first responder? You can volunteer with Yorkshire Ambulance Service Get Involved | Yorkshire Ambulance Service (yas.nhs.uk).  

Be a part of their fun and friendly team help local runners have a fantastic experience and support countless good causes - Eventeers | Run for All 

Some more interesting facts here... 

In Yorkshire, many people call an evening meal – “tea”, rather than “dinner”, so if someone invites you for a tea it’s likely to be a meal rather than a cup of tea. You can read more about a dinner/tea debate at Dinner, supper or tea? This is how the country refers to their evening meal | The Independent | The Independent 

Yorkshire puddings are a Christmas classic that originated in England and dates to the 1700s. There has been an ongoing debate as to whether a Yorkshire pudding belongs on a Christmas dinner –ultimately, it’s down to preference! Whilst they may not be to everyone’s taste – they’re a staple part of Yorkshire cuisine. Want to try them out at home?  

Did you know most of the Rhubarb eaten in Britain is harvested from Yorkshire? A 9 square mile area of West Yorkshire has now become known as The Rhubarb Triangle – the three corners of the triangle roughly equate to Leeds, Bradford and Wakefield. 

Yorkshire is home to the oldest association football club in the entire world, Sheffield Football Club (FC). Having been born in 1857, Sheffield FC is recognised globally as the world’s oldest football club, by FIFA and UEFA alike. 

Yorkshire accents! Are you struggling to understand Yorkshire accents? This video might help! Yorkshire Accent - Learn English Like A Native - YouTube. Listening to a local radio station is also a great way to familiarise yourself with local accents and colloquialisms and find out what’s happening in your city.

Popular local radio stations include  
BBC Radio Sheffield, BBC Radio York, Capital FM Yorkshire South & West, Harrogate Community Radio, Radio Aire Leeds and BBC Radio Leeds. 

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Last updated: 14/06/2024