Tailor-made Vacation · United Kingdom
The Ultimate Yorkshire Experience: York, Leeds, Whitby and Beyond
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Every trip built from scratch around your dates, pace and preferences.
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At a glance
Delve into the expansive wonders of Yorkshire, the largest county in the UK. With its sprawling green fields, picturesque Medieval castles, and a plethora of charming pubs scattered across its terrain, Yorkshire offers a myriad of experiences waiting to be explored. From savoring the iconic dish of fish and chips to meandering along the ancient Medieval walls of York, every corner of this county is steeped in rich heritage and captivating stories.
Begin your journey by immersing yourself in the vibrant streets of Leeds. Wander through its hipster neighborhoods, brimming with trendy cafes, boutiques, and cultural hotspots, offering a glimpse into the city's dynamic atmosphere. Then, venture deeper into Yorkshire's heartland to discover the historic city of York, where time seems to stand still amidst its medieval architecture and cobbled streets. Take a leisurely stroll along the towering walls that once fortified the city.
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As you traverse the countryside, you'll encounter ancient ruins, verdant meadows, and rolling hills, all inviting you to embrace the tranquility of rural life. Explore the rugged coastline of Whitby, a town steeped in folklore and history, where the tales of Dracula come to life amidst its Gothic architecture and dramatic cliffs. Embark on a spine-tingling Dracula trail, unraveling the mysteries of Bram Stoker's iconic novel in the very place that inspired it.
Throughout your journey, indulge in the warmth and hospitality of Yorkshire's charming pubs, where hearty meals and local ales await to tantalize your taste buds. Whether you're sipping a pint of ale by a crackling fireplace or enjoying traditional Yorkshire pudding in a cozy inn, each culinary experience offers a delicious taste of the region's culinary heritage.
In Yorkshire, every corner tells a story, from the majestic ruins of medieval castles to the quaint villages nestled amidst its rolling hills. Discover the timeless beauty and rich tapestry of Yorkshire's landscapes, where history and heritage intertwine to create an unforgettable experience for all who wander its ancient paths.
Day by day
This is a sample plan, not a fixed departure. Days can be added, removed or reordered, and almost every client changes something. Prices are an entry-level guide; your quote will be exact.
Day 1: Leeds
When you arrive at the airport take a train to Leeds. The journey will take one hour. Your hotel is located right by the train station. Once you’ve checked in you’ll have the rest of the day to relax.
If you’re looking for a buzzing environment go for dinner at Bundobust, a popular restaurant serving Indian street food. If you’d prefer something more upmarket head to San Carlo.
Day 2: Leeds
Today you’ll be joining a guided walking tour of the city with local legend, Kenneth Goor. He has a deep understanding of Leeds, from its pre-industrial history to its folk legends and its (allegedly) haunted buildings. Even lifelong residents would learn something new about the city after a day with Kenneth.
In the evening head for a cocktail at Angelica and then dine at the popular Argentinian restaurant, Gaucho.
Day 3: Bronte Parsonage
Today you’ll be taking an hour long drive to Haworth in deepest Yorkshire. As Leeds has rapidly gentrified it’s more hipster than Yorkshire – these days you’ll find more smashed avocados than Melton Mowbray pies.
In Haworth you’ll see the rugged landscapes Emily Bronte wrote about in Wuthering Heights, later set to music by Kate Bush.
The Bronte sisters are the world’s most famous literary family. The Bronte Parsonage is the home they lived in for most of their lives. As you take a VIP tour you’ll observe their possessions and wonder how three sisters managed to write such groundbreaking books two centuries ago.
They spent much of their youth inventing an intricate fictional world called Gondal. Before iPhones people had to be creative to occupy themselves. Sadly, most of the Gondal stories have been lost. There’s even a rumour that Charlotte Bronte destroyed Emily Bronte’s second novel. But with the Bronte’s it can be heard to separate fact from fiction, which is why they continue to fascinate people. See if you can make sense of the mystery.
Day 4: Harewood House - Harrogate
This morning you’ll be taking a short trip to Harewood. You can drive yourself or a driver can be sent for you, depending on whether you’d like to have a drink later.
Harewood Castle was built in the Medieval period and inhabited until the 17th-century. Harewood House was built after the castle was abandoned. You’ll be taking a tour of the great artworks housed here and the Capability Brown gardens.
Later that afternoon you’ll drive twenty-minutes up the road to Harrogate, a spa town that’s so quintessentially English it looks a bit like the courtyard of Hogwarts. You’ll be going for a traditional afternoon tea at Bettys. If you’d like to have a drink before you go back to Leeds we’d recommend Hotel du Vin.
Day 5: York
After breakfast you’ll check out of your hotel and take an hour-long train ride to York. When you’ve checked into your new hotel you’ll be able to explore the city. York was founded by the Romans and later became a Viking city after the Norsemen came close to taking over England. They called it Jorvik.
York’s distant past is still very close to the surface. Take a stroll along The Shambles, the best preserved Medieval street in England and probably the whole of Europe.
You can visit the Jorvik center and see how to the city would have looked in the past. But nothing quite compares to seeing a real Medieval street, with buildings dating back to the 14-century.
For a truly British experience you’ll need to eat fish and chips. So, head to Thompsons Fish Restaurant to sample the best in town. Prepare for some serious carbs! It’s a Yorkshire tradition to have buttered bread with your fish and chips – because in Yorkshire chips and batter simply aren’t enough.
Day 6: York
Time to work off those carbs. Today you’ll be walking along the walls of York which were originally built by the Romans, but most of the surviving walls were built in the Medieval era. Curiously, these walls were only ever under siege once; in 1644, to be precise, when York, a royalist city, was heavily bombed by Oliver Cromwell’s army.
You’ll arrive at York Castle, built by William The Conqueror. Here you can visit the York Castle Museum.
It’ll then be time to go for a pint in an excellent pub, The House Of Trembling Madness. Yes, that’s it’s actual name!
If you have time, take a look around York’s famous Minster.
Day 7: Whitby
This morning you’ll be taking an hour and a half train ride to Whitby. Have a light breakfast as you’ll be dining at The Magpie, perhaps the most famous fish and chips restaurant in Yorkshire.
In the afternoon, you may wish to visit the former home of Captain Hook. Or, just take a stroll around the gothic streets and the coastline of the North Sea.
It’ll then be time to prepare yourself for your Dracula tour. This town did, after all, inspire Bram Stoker to write Dracula. The tour will fittingly take place in the evening.
Later, you’ll get the train back to York.
Day 8: Departure
Your driver will pick you up and drop you of the station for your direct train to Manchester airport.
Our Experts
The UK is home to not one, but four magical countries. Many tourists choose to combine a couple into one trip, perhaps Wales and Scotland.
London is one of my favourite destinations and can so easily be combined with the equally chic city of Paris into one twin-city trip.
A wonderful week in London and Scotland, with attention to every detail.
Bill
Maria organised a truly wonderful Ireland and UK trip around our interests, with niche and enjoyable tours.
Mitchell B.
I've just returned from the UK and Malta. One of the best, and smoothest, trips I've ever taken.
Ellis W.
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Frequently asked questions
What does Out Of Office do?
Out Of Office is a luxury LGBTQ+ travel company specializing in tailor-made vacations and extraordinary journeys around the world. We create bespoke luxury vacations, LGBTQ+ honeymoons, safaris, cruises, beach escapes, private tours and group trips, with every itinerary designed around you. Our travel specialists combine global expertise, first-hand destination knowledge and trusted local partners to create seamless, highly personalized experiences.
Is Out Of Office a gay travel agency?
Out Of Office is an LGBTQ+ owned and run luxury travel specialist, with particular expertise in gay and LGBTQ+ travel. We understand the additional considerations that can come with traveling as an LGBTQ+ person or couple, from local laws and customs to finding genuinely welcoming hotels and experiences.
We welcome every traveler, including friends, families and allies. Many of our clients are not members of the LGBTQ+ community, but choose Out Of Office for our luxury travel expertise, personalized service and discretion.
Do you create tailor-made LGBTQ+ vacations?
Yes. Every tailor-made trip with Out Of Office is designed from scratch around your interests, travel style, budget and the way you want to experience a destination. We can arrange luxury hotels, private transfers, flights, guides, excursions, cruises and special experiences as part of one personalized itinerary. The journeys shown on our website are there to inspire you rather than restrict you; only clearly identified group departures operate as fixed itineraries.
How do you choose LGBTQ+ friendly hotels and destinations?
We combine first-hand destination knowledge with trusted local expertise to recommend luxury hotels, resorts and experiences where LGBTQ+ travelers can feel informed and welcome. We also consider the laws, customs and attitudes of each destination, because LGBTQ+ rights and experiences differ around the world. Our team regularly visit many of the properties we work with and where a destination requires greater awareness, we give you clear and considered advice so that you can make an informed decision about where and how you travel.
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For every booking made with Out Of Office we commit to planting trees in your name to help reduce the impact of travel on future generations. You'll even get a link to see where your trees are planted in the world via our partner Ecologi.
We donate to Rainbow Railroad with every booking
Rainbow Railroad helps LGBTQ+ people escape state-sponsored violence and persecution. A donation goes with every trip we sell, funded by us and never added to your price.
Start Planning Your Trip
Tell us where you would love to go, when you are thinking of traveling and what kind of trip you have in mind. One of our LGBTQ+ travel specialists will create a tailor-made itinerary designed around your destination, style and preferences.
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