Our guide to luxury Yorkshire holidays
From terracotta-topped seaside villages to cities that bristle with creativity, and olde-worlde market towns set betwixt Brontë’s Moors and the dramatic Dales; you'll find it all in the Unique guide to luxury Yorkshire holidays.
Storybook fishing towns spill down to the North Sea, amaranthine heather embraces the moorland for miles, and the Yorkshire Dales are at the mercy of those much-storied elements; it’s not hard to see why Yorkshire is known as "God’s own country". Yes, there's brooding Brontë hillscapes and the slanted Snickelways, Shambles, and Gothic Minster of ye olde York; but there's also a vibrant cultural thread spun by Leeds and Sheffield, with their burgeoning artisanal food scenes and musical timbre.
In our guide to luxury Yorkshire holidays, you'll find the best places to eat, the top things to do, and all the must-see sights — from scenic circular hikes through UNESCO sites to the coveted surf spots that only the locals know. Wild winds usher families indoors for pots of tea and fireside Scrabble, whilst the grounds of sprawling country castles become lawn game hotspots come summer. And no matter the weather, there’s always time to plunge into an indoor pool as the private chef prepares a banquet for supper.
Locations in Yorkshire
Feel the draw of the great outdoors, with the Yorkshire Dales and the North York Moors on the doorstep; think sacred spires in Ripon, emerald folds in Holywell Green, sugar sands in Scarborough, and even a patch of the Peaks.
Collections in Yorkshire
From one-of-a-kind elopement wedding venues to quintessential country homes that call for lazy afternoons of library riffling and lawn croquet with the family dog in tow; no wish list is too fanciful, no longing off limits.
Any day stays
From anniversary spots to party-ready manors, these luxury homes open their doors any day of the week, making them the ultimate flexi staycation.
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Coastal Retreats
From modern beach houses to bohemian self-catering cottages by the sea, spend days watching the waves in one of our luxury coastal cottages.
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Dog-Friendly Escapes
Luxury self-catering for dog-friendly escapes, these coastal cottages and country retreats are designed with discerning hounds in mind.
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Couples´ Retreats
From Valentine´s breaks to honeymooner´s hideaways, these luxury cottages were designed for couples with romance in mind.
View collectionLuxury Homes with Pools
Feel the heat? Choose from our luxury holiday homes with swimming pools. Indoors, outdoors, heated, natural... we have them all.
View collectionFamily-Friendly Self-Catering
Unique family-owned homes creatively designed with relaxation in mind, our luxury child-friendly holiday cottages offer stress-free escapes.
View collectionLarge Self-Catering Groups
Our larger luxury self-catering homes and big country houses are just the ticket for a celebratory luxury group gathering.
View collectionHoneymoons
Start married life with the ultimate romantic honeymoon in a luxury retreat, from cosy cottages to beach hideaways.
View collectionLuxury Homes with Hot Tubs
Plot your escape to one of these exclusive, hand-picked luxury self-catering cottages with hot tubs for a truly relaxing and rejuvenating break.
View collectionLuxury Homes with a Private Chef
From romantic breaks where dessert is always on the menu to celebration homes where chefs make the family favourites; see our homes with catering.
View collectionCountry House Breaks
Our exclusive collection of country houses includes luxury manor houses, opulent mansions with pools and beautiful private estates.
View collectionWorking Remotely
Discover luxury self-catering with inspirational home office spaces, allowing for both work and play on your holiday.
View collectionLuxury Homes with Tennis Courts
From Victorian vegetable stores to fairytale millhouses, our luxury homes with tennis courts bring the best of Wimbledon to the country.
View collectionAlternative Group Option
Alternative holiday cottages for groups. Stay as a small group in one of our luxury self-catering holiday homes with our alternative group option.
View collectionHoliday homes 2-3 hours from London
Plotting a romantic escape from the city? These luxury coastal and country retreats within two to three hours’ drive of London are just the ticket.
View collectionEco-Friendly Escapes
Our luxury eco-friendly retreats include a beach hut Cornwall and a coastal cabin in Scotland. Good for the soul, and the planet.
View collectionBaby-Friendly Breaks
For families with a baby on board, our unique baby-friendly breaks provide luxury self-catering with safety, comfort and parents in mind.
View collectionElopement Weddings
Whether a luxury home by the sea or grand country manor, run away to enjoy the elopement wedding of your dreams at a unique private home.
View collectionSecret Garden Escapes
Our unique garden escapes feature woodland hideaways, secret garden cottages and exclusive private homes in Alice in Wonderland estates.
View collectionFilm and Photoshoot Locations
Whether you want a unique film shoot backdrop or luxury venue for a new product launch, these shoot and stay locations are one of a kind.
View collectionWaterside Living
Experience the charm and tranquility of living on the water´s edge at these unique waterside properties set by lochs, lakes, rivers or beaches.
View collectionWellness Retreats
Wellbeing venues with a difference, take exclusive hire of a private home for your next wellbeing, fitness or yoga retreat.
View collectionLuxury Solo Travel
Indulge in a little me time and create your own itinerary with an independent solo travel experience at an inspiring luxury homestay.
View collectionElectric Car Escapes
If you are looking for an eco-friendly holiday that supports your electric or hybrid car, these sustainable luxury properties will be just the ticket.
View collectionLong Let Holiday Homes and Properties
Relocating for work? Between houses? Make yourself at home! Enjoy a long let rental without the hassle at a private luxury holiday home.
View collectionCorporate Events
Our unique corporate event venues promise creative settings for inspired company retreats, ideal for team-building or company rewards.
View collectionSurf Retreats
Unique surfing holidays along the UK´s stunning coastline, where chic beach houses provide a luxury base for adrenaline-fuelled escapes.
View collectionValentine´s Breaks
Unique Valentine´s Day breaks for a get-away-from-it-all adventure, from iconic beach huts to remote woodland cabins for two.
View collectionUnique Hen Weekends
For sophisticated brides wanting an alternative hen weekend its got to be Unique Homestays. Think yoga barns, swimming pools and disco balls.
View collectionWilderness Retreats
Idyllic hideaways perfect for wild food foragers and barefoot wanderers, our wilderness retreats combine remote settings with natural style.
View collectionBoho Hideaways
Embrace your inner nomad with our boho cottages and hideaway homes, where eclectic décor and laid-back vibes combine to make the perfect boho luxury escape.
View collectionLimited Edition
Be one of the lucky few to stay in one of these unique private homes, available for only a select number of weeks per year.
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Things to do in Yorkshire
Seek fossils on the foreshore at Robin Hood´s Bay, carve trails through the Dales in pursuit of Malham Cove´s limestone amphitheatre, or descend on the Peak District with a ´picky tea´ of curd tarts and rhubarb hand pies.
York Minster
Discover the historic beauty of York Minster, a magnificent Gothic cathedral in the heart of York; its intricate architecture, stained glass windows, and rich history make it a must-visit attraction.
The Peak District
The Peak District offers awe-inspiring views and opportunities for outdoor pursuits aplenty. It’s no wonder it has long been a haven for adventure-lusting enthusiasts, attracting hordes of climbers, cavers and walkers of every age and ability.
Things to see in Yorkshire
Follow in the footsteps of Stoker´s Count Dracula on the 199 steps en route to Whitby Abbey, or see Yorkshire from new perspectives aboard the Settle to Carlisle train, long regarded as England´s most scenic railway journey.
Abbey House Museum
Wander the Victorian streets and experience what daily life would have been like in the 1800’s. Stop for a tipple in the recreated Victorian drinking house or pick up a bonnet if you fancy some old-fashioned retail therapy!
Yorkshire Sculpture Park
Dander around this open-air art gallery set in a 500-acre landscape, showcasing contemporary and modern sculptures by renowned artists in a unique fusion of art and nature, offering a one-of-a-kind artistic (and free) outdoor experience.
Where to eat in Yorkshire
There´s more to Yorkshire ´bait´ beyond puddings and parkin — though it´s a good place to start. Find a fireside pew for sampling black tea and rhubarb crumble, or secure a coveted table at one of the region´s brightest stars.
The Fleece Countryside Inn, Barkisland
Voted Yorkshire´s favourite pub in 2015, this renowned pub and restaurant is situated in an idyllic location with views over the Ryburn valley. Pop in for a light main course or go in for all three, topping off your meal with a heavenly pud!
1885 - The Pub & Restaurant
Great pride is taken in sourcing the very best fresh seasonal ingredients to create menus buzzing with bold ideas, with dishes elegantly presented and precisely balanced in texture and taste. Think sophisticated cuisine, and a relaxed vibe.
Journals about Yorkshire
Find under-the-radar surfing nirvana in North Yorkshire, or tiptoe over dew-dusted lawns to your private pool in the Yorkshire uplands. Whether craving the coast or country, summer days or Christmas hideaways, you´ll find it here.
Lifestyle
The Great British Spa-cation
Put the wrapping paper down and the feet up. This year, the most sought-after winter stays are all about warm water therapy, palatial living, and never missing out on poolside Champagne.
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The best places to spend Christmas in the UK
Mulled wine, mince pies, chocolate logs and twinkling lights; it must be the most wonderful time of the year. If you´re looking for a last-minute Christmas trip, here´s your guide.
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The season inbetwixt
Curators of memories, now´s the time to find a place that´ll see you through from Hocus Pocus to Home Alone; a home where the devil (and the angel) is in the detail.
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The best luxury homes with private pools
On your marks, get set, and dive! This month marks the grand reopening of our pools for the season. Natural, heated, or designed like a Roman bath, these sparkling vats of water await your slinky arrival this summer.
Yorkshire FAQ´s
Looking for advice on reaching the county in rush hour? Want to find the region´s most storied pubs? If you have a Yorkshire-specific query, you might find the answer here. For everything else, visit our general FAQs.
What are the eight cities of Yorkshire?
Spanning 2.9 million acres and home to 5.8 million people, Yorkshire is made up of four counties: North Yorkshire, East Riding of Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and West Yorkshire. As of 2022, there are now eight cities in Yorkshire, including York, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull, Bradford, Ripon, Wakefield and Doncaster, which was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
What is the oldest pub in Yorkshire?
The Bingley Arms is a public house in Bardsey, West Yorkshire. Dating back to 953 AD, it’s believed to be the oldest surviving pub in the United Kingdom. Where better, then, to drink in a spot of history – with a pint of Black Sheep, of course.
Yorkshire is also home to the highest pub in England, The Tan Hill Inn, which is located at 1,732 feet above sea level in Swaledale.
How do I get to Yorkshire?
Yorkshire is well-connected by train, with daily direct services to York from stations across the UK. The train from London to York, Leeds or Sheffield takes just over two hours; from there, you can board regional services to popular destinations, including Whitby, Scarborough, Malton, and Harrogate.
The region’s largest airport, Leeds Bradford, offers domestic and international flights. If you’re keen to explore Yorkshire by car, then rest assured that the road network provides easy access around the region (though you might find some tractor traffic and wayward sheep on the rolling Dales back roads).
What are some traditional dishes to try in Yorkshire?
Traditional Yorkshire dishes include Yorkshire pudding (a classic accompaniment to a Sunday roast), Yorkshire parkin (a richly-spiced cake, made with ginger, oats and molasses), and Wensleydale cheese (a crumbly cow’s milk cheese crafted in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales).
Thanks to its impressive natural larder, Yorkshire boasts some of the finest fresh produce, with many of the UK’s leading restaurants sourcing seasonal asparagus, forced rhubarb, and crab from within its county bounds.
Own a property in Yorkshire?
Are you the keeper of a moorland manor? Or the custodian of a seaside bothy? From Robin Hood´s Bay to Malham to Thornton-le-Dale, we´re seeking Yorkshire´s most unique homes to join our growing portfolio.
