Leeds day trips 2023: The 11 best towns, villages, castles and more you have to visit this summer

There are plenty of stunning parks, villages and sites to visit just a short trip from Leeds.

By Dennis Morton

Published 5th Aug 2023, 11:45 GMT

Fans of historic sites, nature trails and quaint villages are in luck, because Leeds is surrounded by them

From a day trip to the Yorkshire Dales, a stroll through the streets of Haworth to a weekend trip to the seaside town that drew the inspiration for Dracula.

Here are 11 of the best towns, villages, parks and more you have to visit this summer.

Knaresborough is just a short train ride from Leeds and offers stunning mediaeval streets and the iconic railway viaduct over River Nidd.
How to get there: Trains from Leeds Railway Station operate numerous times a day and will get you there in 45 minutes to an hour.

1. Knaresborough

Knaresborough is just a short train ride from Leeds and offers stunning mediaeval streets and the iconic railway viaduct over River Nidd. How to get there: Trains from Leeds Railway Station operate numerous times a day and will get you there in 45 minutes to an hour. Photo: Archive

Yorkshire Dales National Park is a popular place for a day trip with numerous villages and nature routes.
How to get there: The Leeds-Settle-Carlisle railway will take you there via one of the most scenic routes in England.
(Pic credit: Danny Lawson / PA Wire)

2. Yorkshire Dales National Park

Yorkshire Dales National Park is a popular place for a day trip with numerous villages and nature routes. How to get there: The Leeds-Settle-Carlisle railway will take you there via one of the most scenic routes in England. (Pic credit: Danny Lawson / PA Wire) Photo: Danny Lawson / PA Wire

If you fancy scenic nature routes, or walks along a picturesque village, Ilkley is for you.
How to get there: Trains for Leeds will take you directly to Ilkley. But X84 also runs between the two, but takes around one hour.

3. Ilkley and Ilkley Moor

If you fancy scenic nature routes, or walks along a picturesque village, Ilkley is for you. How to get there: Trains for Leeds will take you directly to Ilkley. But X84 also runs between the two, but takes around one hour.

The vast and beautiful Yorkshire coast offers several seaside resorts, including Whitby, Scarborough and Filey, all deserving of a visit.
How to get there: The 843 Coastliner from Leeds will take you directly to Scarborough on a three hour scenic route.

4. Yorkshire Coast

The vast and beautiful Yorkshire coast offers several seaside resorts, including Whitby, Scarborough and Filey, all deserving of a visit. How to get there: The 843 Coastliner from Leeds will take you directly to Scarborough on a three hour scenic route.

Bolton Abbey near Skipton in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales is a great place for a trip from Leeds this summer.
How to get there: Bolton Abbey is about a 30 minute drive from Leeds, just off the A59.
Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

5. Bolton Abbey

Bolton Abbey near Skipton in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales is a great place for a trip from Leeds this summer. How to get there: Bolton Abbey is about a 30 minute drive from Leeds, just off the A59. Picture : Jonathan Gawthorpe

Haworth is the location of the Bronte Parsonage where sisters Emily, Charlotte and Anne wrote some of the most iconic books in British history.
The village on the hill offers pubs, restaurants and cafes for a perfect day trip.
How to get there: Trains from Leeds Train Station will take you to Keighley. From there, the Keighley Worth Valley Railway steam train will take you to Haworth and give you some new memories along the way.

6. Haworth

Haworth is the location of the Bronte Parsonage where sisters Emily, Charlotte and Anne wrote some of the most iconic books in British history. The village on the hill offers pubs, restaurants and cafes for a perfect day trip. How to get there: Trains from Leeds Train Station will take you to Keighley. From there, the Keighley Worth Valley Railway steam train will take you to Haworth and give you some new memories along the way. Photo: Marisa Cashill

Leeds Yorkshire Dales summer

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