Our beauty spots up for national award

The county has received four nominations in this year’s the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards.

Kirkstall Abbey is up for ‘Britain’s favourite heritage site’ category, Hebden Bridge and Whitby have been shortlisted for the ‘Britain’s favourite market town’ and the Yorkshire Dales have been put forward for the ‘Britain’s favourite holiday destination’ category.

The historic ruins of Kirkstall Abbey is one of 10 shortlisted for the award - all chosen by Countryfile presenter John Craven, who said of the Abbey: “My first heritage site - I was brought up a couple of miles away and often went here as a child. One of Yorkshire’s great Cistercian ruins, it stands on the banks of the River Aire just three miles from the centre of Leeds - a quiet refuge amid suburbia.”

The 10 nominees in the favourite market town category were selected by travel writer Brigid Benson.

Speaking of her Hebden Bridge choice, she said: “This Bohemian town oozes character. Brass bands, canal boats and markets add to the mix.” Commenting on Whitby, she said: “Traditionally smoked kippers, a ruined abbey associated with Dracula and the Magpie Cafe, famous for fish and chips.”

Now in their third year, the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards are aimed at celebrating Britain’s countryside and people.

This year’s awards feature ten categories, from conservation projects to finest nature reserves. Visit www.countryfile.com/awardsvote to vote.

Yorkshire’s four nominations come hot on the heels of an international accolade announced earlier this week, naming the county as Europe’s top travel spot. It beat the likes of Rome, Paris and Amsterdam to be given the title of Leading European Destination at the World Travel Awards.