Places to Visit

An earlier guide to attractions and destinations within reach of the cottage, preserved from the original website.

The cottage at Holme-on-the-Wolds sits in a central position for exploring East Yorkshire and beyond. Historic towns, country houses, the coast, and the city of York are all within comfortable day-trip distance. The following suggestions were compiled for guests over the cottage's early years and give a sense of the area's variety.

Beverley

Beverley, roughly 8 miles south, is the nearest market town and one of the finest in the north of England. The Minster is a magnificent medieval church, rivalling many cathedrals in scale and beauty. The town retains a market that has traded since the Middle Ages, along with independent shops, good pubs, and restaurants. The Westwood, a large area of common pasture on the edge of town, provides pleasant walking and hosts a horse racecourse.

Driffield

The self-styled "Capital of the Wolds," Driffield lies about 8 miles north of the cottage. A working market town serving the farming community, it has shops, supermarkets, and a weekly market. The Driffield Show in July is the main agricultural event in the East Riding. Driffield Canal, partly restored, offers an interesting short walk from the town centre.

The Coast

The East Yorkshire coast at Bridlington is about 20 miles east. Bridlington offers sandy beaches, a harbour, and traditional seaside entertainment. North of the town, Flamborough Head has dramatic chalk cliffs, two lighthouses, and outstanding coastal walking. The seabird colonies at Bempton Cliffs, managed by the RSPB, are one of the great wildlife spectacles of the English coast, with gannets, puffins, and guillemots nesting on the cliff faces in summer.

Further south, Hornsea has a pleasant beach and the adjacent Hornsea Mere, Yorkshire's largest freshwater lake. Spurn Point, the remarkable sand spit at the mouth of the Humber, is one of the country's best birdwatching sites.

Country Houses

Burton Agnes Hall, about 15 miles north-east, is an outstanding Elizabethan house with beautiful gardens and a surprising collection of modern art. Sledmere House, roughly the same distance north-west, is a Georgian mansion in parkland designed by Capability Brown. Sewerby Hall, on the clifftop at Bridlington, has gardens, a small zoo, and a pleasant setting with sea views.

Hull

The city of Hull, approximately 16 miles south, has undergone significant regeneration. The Deep, a large aquarium on the Humber waterfront, is a major attraction. The old town has fine museums, and the Ferens Art Gallery holds an excellent collection. Hull's maritime heritage — fishing, whaling, and trade — is well documented in its museums.

York

York, roughly 30 miles west, is one of England's great historic cities. The Minster, the city walls, the medieval streets of the Shambles, the National Railway Museum, the Castle Museum, and the JORVIK Viking Centre provide enough interest for several visits. The city's restaurant and pub scene is excellent.

Walking

The Yorkshire Wolds Way, a National Trail of 79 miles from the Humber Bridge to Filey Brigg, passes within a few miles of the cottage. The Wolds provide excellent walking on rolling chalk downland, with long views and quiet paths. Circular walks of various lengths start from or near the cottage, following footpaths and bridleways across the farmland.

Current Guides

For more detailed and up-to-date information about the area, please browse our current area guides, which cover walking, Beverley, attractions, the coast, and more.