The Yorkshire Wolds are low hills in the counties of North Yorkshire and East Riding of Yorkshire made from a series of marine limestones formed during the Cretaceous period. These are known as the Chalk Group and the outcrop covers a large area stretching from the Humber estuary west towards Malton and then east towards the North Sea between Filey and Bridlington. The Wolds have deep, steep sided valleys which can be hard to see from above, almost to the point that you think that the landscape is flat when it is nothing of the sort. Rich in archaeological remains, the area has neolithic and bronze age sites aplenty, as well as evidence from when the Romans settled here in 71AD. With ancient villages, stunning views and vibrant market towns, the Yorkshire Wolds are a unique place to visit.
NORTHERN WOLDS - The Wolds reach the sea at Flamborough Head, an infamous chalk headland with sheer white cliffs. This area also includes RSPB Bempton Cliffs, an exceptional nature reserve and bird colony.
SOUTHERN WOLDS - The narrowest part of the Wolds, they lie between the Vale of York and Holderness and include the Humber Estuary.
CENTRAL WOLDS - The central Wolds have some beautiful, wooded dales with picturesque small becks. The market towns of Market Weighton and Pocklington are prominent in the area.
WESTERN WOLDS - Known for its small villages clustered together, the area is perhaps most famous for Wharram Percy, known as the most deserted village site in the UK.
DRIFFIELD
The town of Driffield was founded in Saxon times and is aptly named the ‘Capital of the Wolds’ due to its central location in the Yorkshire Wolds. The small town has a long history and is centred around the bustling high street, known as Middle Street with a variety of independent shops, cafes and restaurants. Its status as a market town was solidified with the opening of the canal in the 18th century with mills, granaries, malt houses, coal yards and manufacturing industries flourishing though nowadays, the canal is used purely by leisure boats though we do recommend that you take a stroll on the nature trail along the towpath from Whinhill Lock to Wansford. Every August, Driffield hosts the Steam and Vintage Rally which is particularly known for the Saturday evening parade of vehicles and steam engines through the town centre. The Driffield Show is also worth attending as the UK’s largest one day annual agricultural show having started in 1851.
DON’T MISS
Sledmere House
Burton Agnes Hall
Tophill Low Nature Reserve
Yorkshire Wolds Railway
Rudston Monolith
BEVERLEY
Nine miles north of Hull, you will find the beautiful market town of Beverley. Proud landmarks include the imposing gothic Minster and the 15th century North Bar Gate that divides the Georgian streets containing a plethora of listed buildings. Beverley is easily explored on foot and boasts some amazing shops with a good mix of high street and independent shops in Flemingate complimenting the traditional Wednesday and Saturday markets. The vast expanse of Beverley Westwood, a sprawling woodland and grass space, also means that a relaxing stroll or picnic is never far away in this historic town. Another lovely walk not to miss is the ¾ mile canal walk along Beverley Beck where you will also catch sight of the famous MV Syntan ex-working barge that now acts as a heritage centre and community resource. Part of the town’s heritage since the 16th century, Beverley racecourse has some of the best flat racing in the country from April to September attracting thousands of visitors.
DON’T MISS
Beverley Minster
St Mary’s Church
East Riding Theatre
The Guildhall
Dumble Farm
The Pipe and Glass Restaurant, South Dalton
DID YOU KNOW?
Driffield’s history dates to neolithic times and includes the burial of a king and tales of witchcraft. It was listed as one of the best places to live in Northern England in the 2019 by the Sunday Times.
The RAF base at Driffield was targeted by the Luftwaffe in 1940 resulting in 14 deaths. It was also the site of the first death in WWII of a member of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force (WAAF). Down the road, the town council in Pocklington have a policy of naming all new streets using the surnames of the war dead who served at RAF Pocklington.
After an absence of 150 years, Red Kites were reintroduced to the Wolds in 1999.
Market Weighton is the birthplace of William Bradley, Britain’s tallest recorded man.
More than 350 of Beverley’s buildings are listed and since 2006, the town has hosted a biennial puppet festival.
In 2014, Universal Productions filmed Dad’s Army inside Beverley’s East Riding Theatre, helping the Theatre raise funds to build a stage and café bar.
The village of Kilham was once the capital of the Wolds and the highest village in the Wolds is Fridaythorpe.
YORKSHIRE WOLDS WAY
The Yorkshire Wolds Way is a 79-mile National Trail long distance footpath that runs from Hessle to Filey. The walk is stunning with tranquil countryside, wooded slopes, dry valleys and wildflowers abundant. You can walk it at any time during the year with May and September, the most popular times to attempt the walk. For those who prefer wheels to feet, the Wolds have over 150 miles of cycleways.
