Revealed: The top 50 views of Yorkshire

Gloomy skies and rain clouds over Sutton Bank, North Yorkshire.

But more than 1,000 people, including some of Yorkshire’s most famous names, have now had their say in a new poll.

The far-reaching view from Sutton Bank in the North York Moors has emerged as the most popular choice.

Ribblehead Viaduct in the Yorkshire Dales. Photo: Andrew Mccaren/AM images

The view across the Vales of Mowbray and York was a favourite of author James Herriot who called it “the finest in England”. And it was the clear winner in the poll carried out by Dalesman magazine to which more than 1,100 votes were cast.

In second place was the view of Ribblehead Viaduct in the Yorkshire Dales, followed by Whitby harbour from the town’s 199 Steps.

Robin Hood’s Bay from Ravenscar was placed fourth, while the hay meadows of Muker were voted Yorkshire’s fifth best view.

Following the international exposure of the Tour de France, Buttertubs Pass took sixth place in the poll, followed by Whitby Abbey in seventh. The picture-perfect Wharfedale village of Burnsall came eighth, Swaledale from the ruined Crackpot Hall took ninth position, while the often-painted Bolton Abbey was placed in tenth position.

The best 50 views in Yorkshire, as voted by the people of the county, are published in the September issue of Dalesman.

The magazine’s editor, Adrian Braddy, said: “When I first launched the hunt for Yorkshire’s best view the most common remark I heard was ‘how could I possibly choose just one?’ It is a fair point, but fortunately hundreds of people were able to pin down their favourite. The views chosen as the fifty best demonstrate the extraordinary diversity of landscapes – both natural and man-made – that make up England’s biggest county. What with the moors, Dales, and coastline, plus all the stunning architecture and amazing geological features, we are certainly spoilt for choice. Would a poll carried out in any other county feature such a variety of amazing views. I doubt it.”

A number of well-known Yorkshire personalities also chose their favourite views in the county.

Television presenter Michael Parkinson said of the view from the Cow and Calf Rocks: “I can think of no more beautiful sight in the world, never mind Yorkshire.”

Cycol Rendezvous Tour guest riders pass Kilnsey Crag during a preview ride of the first stage of the 2014 Tour de France from Skipton which took in Kidstones and Buttertubs passes. Picture Bruce Rollinson

TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh agreed, saying: “The Wharfe Valley, from Ilkley up through Bolton Abbey and Burnsall holds a special place in my heart, as do the moors themselves. I will never tire of them, or of that view.”

Judi Dench plumped for the view across the Hole of Horcum in the North York Moors. She said, “When my daughter Finty was a tiny baby, and Michael and I were visiting family in York, we went on a very cold day just to look at the view. I held Finty up so that she could enjoy it too, but I don’t think she appreciated it as much as we did.”

Countryfile presenter John Craven, chose the view atop Otley Chevin. “It took my breath away when I first saw it as a twelve-year-old... the vast sweep of lower Wharfedale with the distant Almscliffe Crag, where later I learnt to climb, and the town of Otley nestling hundreds of feet below us,” he said.

Former newsreader Selina Scott said it was the element of surprise that influenced her choice. “The staggering vista from the church in the moor-top village of Gillamoor always takes the breath away mainly because it is so unexpected,” she said.

Countdown: The top 50 views of Yorkshire

50. Hardraw Force

49. Littondale

48. Richmond Castle

47. Bempton Cliffs

46. Castle Howard

45. Kilnsey Crag

44. Malham limestone pavement

43. Arkengarthdale

42. Dentdale from Flintergill

41. From Ilkley Moor

40. Towards Castle Hill

39. Haworth High Street

38. Settle from Castleberg

37. From Roseberry Topping

36. Rievaulx Abbey

35. Semerwater

34. High Force

33. Steam train through Newton Dale

32. The Shambles, York

31. Kettlewell from above

30. From the top of Malham Cove

29. Rosedale with heather in full bloom

28. Kilburn White Horse

27. Towards Ingleborough

26. Langstrothdale at Yockenthwaite

25. Cow and Calf Rocks

24. Aysgarth Falls

23. Knaresborough Viaduct

22. Drystone walls and barns near Gunnerside

21. Flamborough Head

20. Towards Penyghent

19. Towards Roseberry Topping

18. Nidderdale from Middlesmoor

17. Towards York Minster

16. Brimham Rocks

15. Staithes

14. Hole of Horcum

13. South Bay, Scarborough

12. Fountains Abbey

11. Towards Malham Cove

10. Bolton Abbey

9. Swaledale from Crackpot Hall

8. Burnsall

7. Whitby Abbey

6. Buttertubs Pass

5. Muker hay meadows

4. Robin Hood’s Bay from Ravenscar

3. Whitby Harbour from the 199 Steps

2. Ribblehead Viaduct

1. From Sutton Bank/Whitestonecliffe