Revealed: The top 50 views of 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.
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Hide AdThe 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.
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Hide AdThe 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.”
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Hide AdTV 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