North Yorkshire offers a mix of historic cities, national parks, castles, and coastal resorts with well-connected transport links and rich cultural heritage.
7 Oct, 10–14 Oct…
An exhibition by textile artists Textilia 3, featuring artworks inspired by East Riddlesden Hall’s architecture, historic collection, past inhabitants and landscape. The works use techniques including stitching, felt, mixed media, ceramics, dyeing and print.
East Riddlesden Hall is a 17th-century historic manor house in West Yorkshire featuring well-preserved interiors, a medieval tithebarn, walled gardens, and a tea room, offering both indoor and outdoor experiences. It is notable for its architecture, royalist symbols, and as a filming location for various TV series and films.
Keighley is a historic market town in West Yorkshire featuring Victorian architecture, a heritage steam railway, diverse cultural attractions, and a vibrant shopping and food scene.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Follow a trail of 30 Pikachu trading-card artworks around Fountains Abbey, discover facts about the character and design your own card. Visitors can collect a gallery sheet and use a Pikachu stamper at Fountains Mill.
The Church of St Mary, Studley Royal, is a Victorian Gothic Revival church built in Early English style by architect William Burges. Situated within Studley Royal Park near Fountains Abbey, North Yorkshire, it was constructed as a memorial to Frederick Vyner. The church is renowned for its rich interior, fine stained-glass windows, and status as a Grade I listed building.
7–31 Oct (another 22 days)
Halloween at Gibson Mill is a family event featuring spooky decorations, photo opportunities and Halloween-themed games. Visitors can take part in self-led arts and crafts activities, with pumpkin decorating offered during the final weekend.
Hardcastle Crags is a large woodland beauty spot in West Yorkshire featuring more than 15 miles of trails, historic Gibson Mill with its sustainable off-grid building housing a café and bookshop, and a variety of outdoor activities including orienteering and wildlife watching. The site offers facilities for dogs and is accessible with an emphasis on natural and industrial heritage.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Explore 30 Pikachu trading cards illustrated by different artists, learn facts about the character and design a Pikachu trading card of your own.
Nostell Priory is a historic Palladian house in West Yorkshire, England, featuring original 18th-century furnishings, extensive parkland with lakeside walks, notable artwork and furniture collections, and a rich monastic history dating back to the 12th century.
9 Oct
Attendees can bring up to three small antiques, collectables, jewellery or curiosities for appraisal by auctioneer and antiques expert Charles Hanson.
RHS Garden Harlow Carr is a horticultural destination in North Yorkshire known for its extensive gardens, seasonal displays, and visitor facilities including cafés and a garden centre. Visitors can explore outdoors through varied garden areas and enjoy seasonal food offerings onsite.
Harrogate is a historic spa town in North Yorkshire, England, renowned for its spa waters, RHS Harlow Carr gardens, and rich cultural scene including festivals, galleries, and theatres. It is well-connected by rail and bus, with a walkable town centre featuring shopping, dining, and significant landmarks such as the Royal Pump Room and Royal Hall.
8 Oct
Visitors can meet Ormesby Hall’s conservation team, learn how they care for the house and collections, and see conservation work in action, including the care of textiles, ceramics, books and furniture.
Ormesby Hall is a Grade I listed 18th-century Georgian mansion in North Yorkshire, offering visitors a blend of historic indoor interiors, including plasterwork and Victorian kitchens, alongside expansive gardens and estate walks. The venue showcases local heritage with a public model railway and hosts various events throughout the year.
Middlesbrough is a historic port town in North Yorkshire known for its industrial heritage, cultural venues, parks, and modern university presence.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
An exhibition across five rooms displays historic textiles collected by Rachel Kay-Shuttleworth, including embroidery, patterned and printed fabrics, wool work, metallic threads and costume pieces, presented around the theme of colour.
Gawthorpe Hall is a Grade I listed Elizabethan country house located on the banks of the River Calder in Lancashire. The house features historic architecture with roots as a pele tower, extensive restoration by Charles Barry, ornamental gardens, and serves as a trailhead for the Brontë Way footpath. The site also includes Burnley Football Club's training complex on its grounds.
Burnley is a historic market town in Lancashire, England, known for its industrial heritage as a major cotton production centre and ongoing advanced manufacturing, as well as cultural attractions including historic mills, museums, music festivals, and a lively nightlife scene.
9–10 Oct, 16–17 Oct…
Explore Fountains Abbey after dark, with floodlighting and projected animations bringing the ruins’ history to life. The event also includes guided tours, live choral performances and Gregorian chant.
Fountains Abbey is a historic ruined Cistercian monastery near Ripon, North Yorkshire, with architecture dating from the 12th century. It is part of Studley Royal Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, featuring landscaped gardens and industrial heritage. The site is owned by the National Trust and maintained by English Heritage, offering visitors extensive ruins, exhibitions, and scenic outdoor areas.
7 Oct, 13–14 Oct…
A volunteer guide leads visitors through areas of Nunnington Hall that are normally closed to the public, introducing collection objects and the work involved in preserving the hall.
Nunnington Hall is a Grade I listed 17th-century country house in North Yorkshire featuring rich historic interiors, art collections, and period furniture. The hall sits beside the River Rye and is surrounded by organically managed gardens and orchards. It is managed by the National Trust and open to visitors interested in English heritage, architecture, and gardens.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
Join a volunteer guide for a one-hour tour of Fountains Abbey’s monastic ruins, exploring the abbey’s history and the daily routines of the monks who lived there.
Markenfield Hall is a well-preserved medieval moated manor house in North Yorkshire, offering limited guided tours that explore historic rooms and vaulted areas. The house provides wheelchair access to the ground floor and a tranquil, authentic visit focused on history and heritage without modern distractions like cafes or shops. It is free for Historic Houses members on select days, with tours including traditional tea and cakes.
21–31 Aug, 3–7 Sep…
Secrets of the Collection: Art is an exhibition at Ormesby Hall showcasing the Pennyman family’s artistic legacy and their connections to prominent artists. The exhibition displays highlights from the Pennyman art collection and the stories behind them, held on the first floor of the house accessible only by stairs. It takes place during the open days of Ormesby Hall, with normal admission charges applying and no booking needed to attend.
Roseberry Topping is a distinctive hill in North Yorkshire offering scenic outdoor experiences with panoramic views, historical significance, and geological interest within the North York Moors National Park.
1 Sep, 6 Oct
Guided sensory tour at Treasurer's House, York focuses on experiencing the history of the house through touch, sound, and imagination, designed for visually impaired visitors. It includes tactile collection items and tailored audio descriptions in each room.
11 Oct, 18 Oct…
A tour at Treasurer’s House explores the lives and legends of some of its former residents, tracing the history of the house and its connections to York.
Treasurer's House is a Grade I listed historic house museum in York, showcasing architecture from the 12th century onwards with significant restoration by Frank Green. Owned by the National Trust, it offers tours including cellar and attic, features Roman archaeological remains, and a café and garden accessible to visitors. The house is notable for its reputed Roman soldier ghost sightings.
8 Oct, 5 Nov…
An open evening for newly engaged couples to explore the Airedale Barn, view wedding décor ideas and talk with the wedding team about recommended suppliers.
15 Sep, 6 Oct
The Monastic bread, beer and wool tour at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden invites visitors to join a volunteer guide to learn about how monks sustained themselves through food, drink, clothing, and trade. The tour starts at Porter's Lodge and lasts for approximately one hour. It covers the history and economy related to the estate's mill and its products. The tour is free but requires payment of usual venue admission, and does not require advance booking. The event takes place indoors and outdoors with some parts involving walking on uneven ground.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
The National Alpine Garden Show celebrates alpine plants and autumn-flowering bulbs, with displays from specialist growers and Alpine Garden Society members. Visitors can speak with exhibitors for growing advice and join a behind-the-scenes Alpine Garden Team tour.
Ripley Castle and Gardens is a historic 700-year-old castle near Harrogate with beautiful gardens, lakes, and a deer park. Visitors can enjoy guided tours of the castle in season, explore extensive outdoor grounds, and use accessible facilities including a café. It offers an engaging experience blending history and nature with family-friendly amenities.
11 Oct, 19 Oct
Visitors can join a volunteer-led tour of East Riddlesden Hall to learn about the house’s history and collection.
7 Oct, 10 Oct…
A guided tour of Treasurer’s House explores Frank Green’s vision for the historic house and its collection of furniture, clocks and art, alongside research into his life and the property.
10–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct…
An exhibition of newly commissioned and existing paintings by Nancy Cadogan, inspired by Beningbrough’s landscape, gardens and literary history. Visitors can view large-scale landscapes and more intimate works exploring women, time and storytelling.
The York Cold War Bunker in York is a preserved two-storey semi-subterranean bunker built in 1961 for nuclear monitoring during the Cold War, now an English Heritage site and museum showcasing Cold War operations and defence technology.
8 Oct, 22 Oct
A volunteer guide leads an interactive tour of the masons’ marks carved into Fountains Abbey’s ruins, exploring their different forms and possible meanings.
9 Oct
Join wildlife volunteers for an evening walk through Studley deer park to learn about its red, fallow and sika deer and see and hear the rut as the season begins.
10–11 Oct, 17–18 Oct…
Visitors can follow a family-friendly trail through Goddards Gardens, finding hidden owls and collecting letters to solve an owl-related word. Completing the trail earns a sticker.
Goddards House and Garden in York is an Arts and Crafts historic house museum with well-preserved 1930s interiors and an extensive formal garden featuring a cruciform lily pool. Originally built for the Terry chocolate family, it now operated by the National Trust offers indoor heritage exhibits and outdoor garden exploration.
10 Oct (this Saturday)
Raby Castle’s curator gives a talk exploring the castle’s connections to the Rising of the North, the Wars of the Roses and the political life of Sir Henry Vane the Younger. The ticket also grants access to the castle, deer park and gardens for the remainder of the day.
Raby Castle is a medieval fortress set in 200 acres of parkland in County Durham, offering historic interiors, a restored walled garden, deer parks, a woodland adventure playground, dining at The Vinery cafe, and a shop. Visitors can explore both indoor castle rooms and the extensive outdoor grounds featuring wildlife and gardens.
7–11 Oct, 14–18 Oct
Harvest at Beningbrough celebrates seasonal garden produce with guided tours of the walled garden, harvest displays, apple-pressing demonstrations and tastings. Some dates also feature jam and curd tastings or dried flowers for sale.
Beningbrough Hall is a large Baroque mansion near Beningbrough, North Yorkshire, featuring historic interiors, extensive gardens, and an art gallery exhibiting 18th-century portraits. The venue includes a restaurant, garden shop, and activities for families including a wilderness play area.
8–11 Oct (another 2 days)
A collection of handmade gifts and other work by local artists and makers, inspired by the natural world and its beauty, is displayed in the Bath House Gift Shop.
8–31 Oct (another 22 days)
View two seasonal garden scenes embroidered by Richmond & Leyburn Creative Stitchers, depicting Harlow Carr’s Main Borders in high summer and autumn. The exhibition is displayed in Harlow Carr Library.
7–11 Oct, 13–18 Oct…
An exhibition of contemporary textile artworks inspired by pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths and hoverflies. The exhibition explores the role these creatures play in gardens, countryside and natural habitats.
Helmsley Archaeology Store offers access to extensive archaeological collections from English Heritage sites in Northern England, spanning from Prehistory to modern times. Visits are free but by appointment only, with store tours resuming in April 2026. The venue is primarily an indoor research and archive facility.
7 Oct, 14 Oct…
Visitors can explore Gawthorpe Hall’s Grade I listed Great Barn with a knowledgeable volunteer and learn about its history, former uses, restoration and future plans.
Towneley Hall is a historic house and museum set in over 400 acres of parkland in Burnley, Lancashire, featuring fine art collections, original period rooms, and extensive outdoor grounds with woodland trails and a children's play area. Visitors can explore the Victorian kitchen and enjoy accessible facilities including a café and parking.
7 Oct–1 Nov (another 23 days)
A volunteer-guided tour explores Studley Royal Water Garden and the abbey ruins, explaining the garden’s design and its place in the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The tour lasts about 90 minutes.
8–12 Oct (another 3 days)
An exhibition of artwork by A-level students from The Northern School of Art, inspired by Ormesby Hall and the stories of Ruth and Jim Pennyman. Visitors can see photography, ceramics, textiles and paintings displayed in different rooms of the house.
9 Oct
A volunteer-led 7km walk around Malham Tarn explores the landscape’s formation and local history, including stories of glaciers, cave men, monks and drovers. The route follows grassed paths and estate tracks, with stops to hear about points of interest and a lunch break.
Malham Tarn Estate in the Yorkshire Dales offers extensive outdoor experiences including a National Nature Reserve with boardwalks, diverse walking trails, and natural wildlife habitats. It is dog friendly, offers scenic countryside and woodland walks suitable for families, and provides mobility support through Tramper hire.