North Yorkshire is the perfect destination for motorists who love scenic drives with variety and interest. From rolling countryside and moorland roads to dramatic coastal routes and picture-postcard villages, the region offers a rich tapestry of natural beauty and historic charm.
And with plenty of picturesque stop-off points, as well as country pubs and charming tea rooms, there’s so much joy to be had on a road trip through this beautiful part of the country.
Here at York House Leisure, our four holiday parks in North Yorkshire are perfectly located for those who love to get behind the wheel for a day out.
Scenic roads, coastal routes and hidden gems
Our team at York House Holiday Park even have a motoring enthusiast among them, who is always happy to provide homeowners and guests with recommendations of the best routes to try out. Look out for future blogs about some of his favourite scenic drives, coastal routes and hidden gems. In the meantime, let’s take a look at some of the most popular and well-known driving routes in North Yorkshire.
A Yorkshire road trip
Yorkshire is famous for some of the UK’s best scenery so you’ll be spoilt for choice of amazing driving routes. Not least, it is home to two spectacular national parks, the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales. Each has its own distinct landscape, from the limestone valleys and waterfalls of the Dales, to the vast heather moorland and dense forests of the Moors.
Best driving routes in the North York Moors
The best driving routes in the North York Moors include the road through Rosedale Abbey and over Rosedale Chimney Bank. One of the steepest roads in England, it makes for a thrilling journey with stunning views of the surrounding moorland.
For a true scenic drive in the North York Moors, take the back roads from Helmsley to Hutton-le-Hole, where sheep graze freely and stone cottages line the route.
Another must-drive is Blakey Ridge Road (the A169 from Pickering to Whitby), which cuts across the heart of the North York Moors with its dramatic heather-clad terrain. One of the loveliest times to take a drive there is during late summer, when the heather is in bloom and the landscape turns a rich purple.
Offering sweeping views across the Esk Valley and beyond, on a clear day, you can see all the way to the sea. Stop off at The Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge, ranked among the highest pubs in the UK.
Best roads in the Yorkshire Dales
If you’re in search of scenic drives in Yorkshire, there’s no better place to start than the Dales. The areas around Grassington, Kettlewell and Bolton Abbey are particularly rewarding, while another highlight is the route through Malhamdale taking in Malham Cove, Gordale Scar and Janet’s Foss.
The B6255 from Hawes to Ingleton offers panoramic views of the Dales and the iconic Ribblehead Viaduct.
But perhaps the best road in the Yorkshire Dales is the Buttertubs Pass (B6270/B6255) between Hawes and Thwaite. This twisting, high-altitude road with hairpin turns and incredible views was showcased to the world in spectacular fashion when it was swamped with crowds of spectators as one of the first climbs taken in by the 2014 Tour de France cyclists. It’s an equally thrilling drive, especially in the autumn when the hills are brushed with gold and rust.
The best Yorkshire coastal route
The seaside stretch from Scarborough to Staithes (via A171) is perfect for a leisurely coastal road trip. Visit Scarborough’s historic castle and Victorian charm before following the A171 north past Robin Hood’s Bay (a steep and winding detour well worth the effort). Then it’s onwards to Whitby, the gothic fishing town famous for its abbey and Dracula connections. Finally, continue north to Staithes, a hidden gem with its tight alleys, artistic flair and lovely harbour.
Discover North Yorkshire by car: Smaller routes to try
The scenic drive from Ripon to Masham takes about 20 minutes and winds through the Nidderdale AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) offers a charming blend of farmland, river views and quiet woodland stretches.
Another idea is to start at York, taking time to view its Roman walls and Gothic cathedral, before heading out on a scenic drive towards the Howardian Hills and the Vale of Pickering.
The spa town of Harrogate is well worth a visit, and the half-hour drive from there to the rural Nidderdale market town of Pateley Bridge offers lovely views across rolling hills.
The most scenic road in North Yorkshire
So what’s the best driving route in North Yorkshire? Everyone has their favourite – why not head off on your own road trip to discover yours! Whether you’re planning a leisurely weekend escape or a longer getaway, prepare for a joyful journey of picturesque villages, ancient abbeys, stunning landscapes and dramatic coastlines.