If walking around York’s superbly preserved City Walls or along the riverbank isn’t enough exercise for you, there are plenty of other opportunities for getting active – both around the city and in the surrounding countryside. In fact, with the gloriously unspoilt landscapes of the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales, just a short drive away, you’re really spoilt for choice.
Walking
With 1,400 miles (2,253km) of footpaths, the North York Moors National Park (www.northyorkmoors.org.uk) offers walks for all abilities. There are easy routes that the whole family could do, more energetic rambles that will get the lungs working, and strenuous hikes for those who like to test themselves.
There are far too many routes to mention here, but some easy walks include strolls along Sutton Bank, which provide immensely rewarding views; a 2¾-mile (4.4km) walk from Glaisdale to Egton Bridge and a 3-mile (5km) walk along a section of disused railway line, through the Esk Valley to the hamlet of Beck Hole.
There’s no shortage of walks in the York countryside.
APA William Shaw
If you’re after a longer walk there’s a 6½-mile (10.5km) walk from Oldstead to Byland Abbey, and then on to see the remains of Mount Snever Observatory, built in 1838 to commemorate Queen Victoria’s coronation. Experienced walkers could challenge themselves by following the Hambleton Hills Mosaic Walk, a 36-mile (58km) walk around the western corner of the National Park or the long distance Cleveland Way (www.nationaltrail.co.uk), which stretches for some 110 miles (1,767km) from Helmsley all the way to Filey Brigg on the coast. The trail takes approximately nine days to complete.
Cycling
Cyclists, like walkers, have plenty of options in and around York. The best known long-distance route is the Moor to Sea Cycle Route (www.moortoseacycle.net), which extends for around 100 miles (161km) and easily divides into nine separate stretches. The White Rose Route is another cycle route, running for 123 miles (198 km) between Hull and Middlesborough. It takes in part of the western section of the North York Moors National Park. For more information visit www.sustrans.org.uk. There are shorter routes to cover, in forests and along disused railway lines, in the National Park – details available from Park Visitor Centres. Dalby Forest, for instance, has graded mountain bike routes and a skills area, as well as bike hire.
Spectator Sports
York attracts thousands of visitors to its horse races, held at Knavesmire (www.yorkracecourse.co.uk) with flat racing from May to October. Flat racing also takes place at Thirsk (www.thirskracecourse.net) between April and September, while Ripon Racecourse (www.ripon-races.co.uk) hosts races from April to September, with a special Children’s Day in August.
Cricket fans will be pleased to know that Yorkshire Cricket Club (www.yorkshireccc.com) at Headingley, Leeds, is a short drive from York – hosting both domestic and international fixtures.
Paraglider taking off over the Yorkshire countryside.
Fotolia
Gliding
Those wanting to get a bird’s eye view over the Yorkshire countryside could go gliding at Yorkshire Gliding Club (tel: 01845 597237, www.ygc.co.uk). Based at Sutton Bank, the club offers trial lessons, as well as one- and five- day courses.
Golf
Keen golfers itching to get out onto the greens will be spoilt for choice with a number of 18- and 9-hole courses within an hour’s drive of York. Fulford Golf Club (tel: 01904 413579, www.fulfordgolfclub.co.uk) is just on the outskirts of the city, a couple of miles from the centre, by the university. It’s an 18-hole course which accepts visitors with a handicap certificate from Monday to Friday. It’s noted as the place where, in 1981, golfer Bernhard Langer played a shot from the branches of an ash tree.
York Golf Range is at Towthorpe, about 6 miles (9.5km) north of the city centre (tel: 01904 499275; www.yorkgolfrange.co.uk), and has a 9-hole course and a driving range. Lessons can also be booked, for juniors as well as adults. Not far away, at Strensall, is York’s oldest golf club, York Golf Club (tel: 01904 499800, www.yorkgolfclub.co.uk). Founded in 1890, it moved to this location in 1904.
Pony trekking on the North York Moors.
Alamy
Northwest of the city, off the A19 to Thirsk, the Forest of Galtres Golf Club (tel: 01904 769400, www.forestofgaltres.co.uk) is a parkland 18-hole course with a driving range. Five-day and seven-day memberships are available.
Horse Riding
The North York Moors National Park has an extensive network of bridleways, as well as concessionary bridleways like the former Scarborough to Whitby railway. For those with their own horse, the Park authority has a horse rider’s guide (ask at the Visitor’s Centre for details).
A number of riding centres offer lessons and treks. Boltby Pony Trekking and Trail Riding Centre near Thirsk (01845 537392, www.boltbytrekking.co.uk) does a range of introductory sessions lasting from 30-minute tasters to two-hour and whole-day treks, as well as two-day treks for more experienced riders. Friars Hill Stables (tel: 01751 432758, www.friarshillstables.co.uk) at Sinnington have an indoor school and offer a range of lessons and accompanied hacks. They also run special children’s ‘learn about ponies’ morning sessions, as well as longer residential and non-residential courses.
Yorkshire provides some great rivers for kayaking.
Bigstock
Watersports
Those wanting to try their hand at watersports such as dinghy sailing, canoeing and kayaking should check out Allerthorpe Lakeland Park (tel: 01759 301444; www.allerthorpelakelandpark.co.uk) on the A1079, 14 miles southeast of York; they offer courses and instruction for adults and juniors. If you prefer to have a go at surfing, then Scarborough Surf School (tel: 01723 585585; www.scarboroughsurfschool.co.uk), based at Cayton Bay, offers instruction for beginners and novices, as well as those wanting to improve their technique. They also hire out surf boards and wetsuits.
In York itself, Yearsley Swimming Pool, Haxby Road (tel: 01904 552424) is a six-lane Edwardian pool that has been recently restored and is open to the public for swimming sessions.
Fun for Kids
Kids over 10 years of age will love the Go Ape adventure centre (tel: 0845 643 9215; www.goape.co.uk) at Dalby Forest, Thornton-le-Dale, near Pickering. It’s a forest adventure obstacle course with ladders, walkways, bridges and zip wires.