The travel experts at Lonely Planet recently named Yorkshire one of the top regions to visit, in the world, in 2014. High praise indeed – we asked Vikki Harris, Head of Marketing at Welcome to Yorkshire, to tell us why to visit Yorkshire in 2014.
What’s new in Yorkshire for 2014?
The biggest thing happening this year in Yorkshire will be the arrival of the world’s largest annual sporting event, the Tour de France. It rolls into Leeds on July 5, with Stage 1 finishing in Harrogate. Stage 2 starts in York and ends in Sheffield. What’s more, the race will be watched by 3.5 billion people in 188 countries on television. You can find out more at www.letour.yorkshire.com.
What are you most excited about in 2014 in Yorkshire?
It has to be the arrival of the Tour de France. But the Yorkshire Festival 2014 in the run up to the start of the Tour promises to be just as exciting. It is the first ever festival of art and culture to take place in the run up to the Tour de France, beginning on March 27 and occupying the 100 days until July 6, the end of Stage 2. The Yorkshire Festival will be made up of 47 ambitious projects, as well as hundreds of fringe events, taking place across Yorkshire’s 6,000 square miles.
What is the wackiest event taking place in 2014?
Yorkshire is always a sure bet for a wacky event, and 2014 is no different. We have the wonderfully quirky Knaresborough Bed Race, the 49th edition of which takes place on June 14 this year. It’s part pageant and part gruelling time trial over a 2.4 mile course.
There’s also the Pontefract Liquorice Festival on July 13 this year, which continues the town’s tradition of an annual celebration of liquorice, along with the many wonderful products that stem from it. There’s always plenty to sample, too!
If the arts are more your thing, then try Hull’s Freedom Festival, an annual celebration of the music and the arts. There’s an eclectic mix of entertainment and the Freedom Festival welcomes a varied audience to experience the very best in music, dance, art and street theatre from across Europe.
Can you recommend somewhere to see or something to visit that is less well known or not on the usual tourist trail?
As you might know, Hull is the UK City of Culture for 2017, and its cultural offering is already substantial. There’s exciting history, eclectic shopping and entertaining nightlife, as well as the world’s only submarium, the Deep, which is home to 3,500 fish. There’s beautiful architecture in Hull’s Old Town, which is another must-see. So take the opportunity now to see the city before it becomes famous all over the world for its culture!
While you’re in Hull, don’t miss the Yorkshire Wolds as well as the Yorkshire coast – both are stunning!
And the seaside village of Staithes is shooting to fame as the setting for popular CBBC programme Old Jack’s Boat – another place to see before it’s really famous.
If someone is visiting for a short break, what are the 3 things they must see?
Yorkshire is home to an amazing array of magnificent houses and grand castles spread across the county, so seeing any one of those would be a good start.
Besides that, be sure to visit one of Yorkshire’s national parks, either the Yorkshire Dales National Park or the North York Moors. Both have amazing scenery and wonderful landscapes on offer to anyone who visits.
And, of course, there’s the Grand Depart of the Tour de France, which promises to be the greatest spectacle Yorkshire has ever seen. The world’s elite cyclists will be on Yorkshire’s doorstep for one July weekend, so be sure to make the most of seeing professional riders in the midst of Yorkshire’s varied and incredible landscapes.
Is there anything else you would like to tell us about Yorkshire in 2014?
This year will without doubt be one of the best years in the history of Yorkshire, with the 101st Tour de France starting in the county. But it isn’t just about bikes – the Yorkshire Festival 2014 will be a huge celebration of culture that will further establish Yorkshire as a capital for culture in the UK. There are wonderful cities with wonderful history throughout the county, as well as brilliant shopping everywhere. And with two huge arenas – the Motorpoint arena in Sheffield and the first direct arena in Leeds – 2014 in Yorkshire will also be packed with the world’s greatest and biggest music acts.
So whether or not you like bikes, 2014 will be a great year to visit Yorkshire.
Tempted to try Yorkshire? Click on the link to search our holiday parks in Yorkshire.