Visit East Yorkshire
East Yorkshire - Towns and villages to visit
Beverley – a modern town with history in every corner
Boasting beautiful architecture, historic cobbled streets, quaint boutiques, antique and craft shops – and of course plenty of pubs and restaurants – Beverley is the heartbeat of the East Riding.
Still retaining its small town charm, there really is something for everyone, from an up-market shopping experience with some of the biggest high street names, to the weekly market selling everything from local farmers’ produce to clothes and jewellery.
Home to an historic racecourse, successful folk music and comedy festivals and an art gallery which holds the permanent collection of Frederick Elwell paintings, its cultural offerings appeal to all ages.
An eclectic mix of restaurants, from Thai and Turkish to more traditional British fare, along with a wide selection of bars, restaurants and pubs to suit all tastes, ensures the town is always alive with activity. A trip to Beverley isn’t complete without a visit to its most famous pub - the dark, gas-lit White Horse on Hengate, fondly referred to as Nellie's by locals, after its former landlady.
Add to this the stunning Beverley Minster, which features the world's largest collection of stone carvings and 700-year old Percy Tomb - a masterpiece of European modern art - as well as St Mary's Church. This beautiful church has the carved rabbit which provided Lewis Carroll's inspiration for the March hare in Alice in Wonderland.
Beverley Minster
A masterpiece in Gothic architecture and dating back to the 13th Century, the Minster is Beverley's jewel, a place of sanctuary. King Henry V came here to give thanks after the battle of Agincourt.
Within these walls is the shrine of bishop, teacher and healer St John, to which pilgrims flocked in the Middle Ages. Stone carvings of medieval musicians are proof of the town's passion for music, which comes alive each year at both the Beverley Early Music Festival and Beverley Folk Festival.
Shopping Spree & horsing around
Among high street names are specialist and curiosity shops, and family businesses to discover. Charming courtyards like St Mary's Court, with its fabulous shoes and flowers, are popular and cobbled streets are livened by galleries of art and unusual boutiques.
Beverley Racecourse is a popular location for visitors and race-goers alike. Race meetings have taken place since the late 17th century and provide a great day or evening out for those who like a flutter.
Cottingham – a bustling village with every amenity
Just four miles from Raywell Hall is Cottingham, a modern village which features a bustling high street where big name supermarkets sit alongside independent shops, pubs, coffee shops and restaurants.
Here you will find all the amenities you need, including pharmacies, a medical centre and a dentists’ practice.
Cottingham train station offers a direct and regular service to both Beverley and Hull, with services also available to Scarborough and Bridlington. There is also a regular bus service to and from the village.
Driffield
Renowned for bumper local produce weighing down stalls at its monthly farmers' market and an annual agricultural show of Shire horses and prized pickles, Driffield is also becoming trendy. Just 30 minutes from Raywell Hall Country Lodge Park by car, continental-style cafes of good coffee and cakes have appeared between the familiar shops of this historic hub.
Market Weighton
Market Weighton is the birthplace of the tallest ever Englishman, William Bradley. It uses the Giant Bradley Trail to remember his birthplace and footprint (16 inches long). The trail also points the way to the old inns, restaurants and cafes of this medieval market town. Nearby is Pocklington, with walks and picnics by the canal and at Burnby Hall Gardens, Europe's finest display of waterlillies. Visit www.giantbradley.com for more information.
Market Days in East Yorkshire
See and taste local produce fresh from the soil and kitchen at regular farmers' markets, or snap up a bargain at markets awash with clothing, household wares and bric-a-brac.
Beverley Market - Saturday 8.00am-4.00pm
Bridlington Market - Wed/Sat/Sun/Bank Holidays
Cottingham Market - 8.00am-5.00pm every Thursday
Driffield Market - Thursday
Goole Markets - Wednesday-Saturday from 9.00am
Hedon Market - Wednesday
Hornsea (Wilbur's) Market - Sunday, Wednesday, Friday & Bank Holidays
Howden Market - Fridays 9.00am-4.00pm
Market Weighton Market - 8.30am to 2.30pm on Fridays only
Pocklington Market - Tuesday 8.30am-5.00pm
Skirlington Market - Sundays & Bank Holidays Wednesdays (July & August)
Withernsea Market - Thurs, Sat, Sun, all year.
Farmers' Markets
Driffield Farmers' Market takes place on the first Saturday morning of every month at Driffield Showground.
Holly Oaks Farmers' Market is held on the second Saturday of every month at Holly Oaks Adventure Playground in Cottingham, while South Cafe Farmers' Market takes place on the second Saturday of every month in the school playground in South Cave.
