YorTours

YorTours Providing Award winning Tour Guide experiences from 1 to 6 days.

With entertaining commentary along the way, Nick will show you spectacular landscapes, hidden gems and diversity of culture, regional food and customs, whilst relating snippets of fascinating history in a gentle and captivating way. You’ll discover incredible UNESCO World Heritage sites, stunning National Parks and Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Nick Smith is the Silver Award winner for deli

vering the Experience of the Year for Yorkshire in 2019. This esteemed award recognises providers of truly memorable and immersive visitor experiences who can consistently demonstrate excellence across every aspect of their business.

Successful conclusion of a 4 day extended tour for Todd & Charlotte from Louisville Kentucky ( their gift below too ) wh...
21/04/2025

Successful conclusion of a 4 day extended tour for Todd & Charlotte from Louisville Kentucky ( their gift below too ) who were quite simply; an absolute delight to share our countryside , culture, food , history and welcoming locals . Starting in York, Yorkshire Dales National Park , to Bolling Hall ( Bradford) their ancestral family - they hit the jackpot with my wife’s book ( and her family who lived there over 17 years) to the Fosse Way drive south . How fortunate am I to share this & more with inspiring visitors 🌍 concluding near Oxford. British Guild of Tourist Guides

See below ⬇️ how the World 🌎 Federation of Tourist Guide Associations considers our profession, duty , and impact on vis...
21/04/2025

See below ⬇️ how the World 🌎 Federation of Tourist Guide Associations considers our profession, duty , and impact on visitors 👌✔️YorTours British Guild of Tourist Guides

Every tour you lead leaves a lasting impact, inspiring curiosity and connection. Your role is invaluable in shaping how the world is seen and experienced!

Happy new week, everyone!

A guided walk not to be missed for those of us fascinated by   and starting from The World Of James Herriot and the mark...
19/04/2025

A guided walk not to be missed for those of us fascinated by and starting from The World Of James Herriot and the market town of Thirsk, where Alf Wight and the veterinary practice was located. A must visit too see below ⬇️

The James Herriot Walking Tour allows visitors to explore the hometown of Alf Wight OBE (pen name James Herriot), the renowned veterinary surgeon and author. Starting at the World of James Herriot museum, the tour guides participants through key Thirsk locations that inspired the beloved All Creatur...

White tailed young deer on todays trail by Bow River
14/04/2025

White tailed young deer on todays trail by Bow River

I’m standing at the cave & sulphur hot springs which became the first National Park in Canada 🇨🇦 ( Banff). The natural h...
13/04/2025

I’m standing at the cave & sulphur hot springs which became the first National Park in Canada 🇨🇦 ( Banff). The natural hot springs & cave ar the base of Sulphur Mountain was discovered in 1883 by 3 construction workers of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR) Dispute over ownership, private entrepreneurs & tourists prompted the federal government to set aside as a land reserve in 1885. In 1887 designated the Rocky Mountain Park, ( the 1st in 🇨🇦) then re named Banff National Park, recognised as the birthplace of Canadas national parks spanning the entire country .
Interesting- Canada has the largest coastline of any country in the 🌎.

The CPR hired Swiss guides Christian Hasler & Edouard Feuz to lead trips for the early tourists.

Railway construction workers ( from Scandinavia) were Banff’s first skiers and at Skoki , near Lake Louise, skiing ⛷️ started in 1932.

The CPR realised money 💴 to be made in growing tourism industry, so built accommodation & services along the line including the then most expensive nights hotel in 🌎 the ( Fairmont) Banff Springs . Indeed the CPR famously declared at the time “ if we can’t EXPORT the SCENERY, we’ll import the TOURISTS”

Banff no longer is the rail hub of arriving tourists, however over 30 freight trains pass through every 24 hours , the longest ones over 4km !!!

Banff itself is on the territories of the indigenous Kanai ( Bood), Siksika (Blackfoot), Piikani, Tsuut’ina & Chiniki , Bearspaw , since time immemorial.

11/04/2025

Todays ski tour - with an overview in Canada’s 1st National Park of Banff - sound up 🆙

Todays tour with magnificent weather and this national park on our doorstep all thanks to interesting & engaging local t...
07/04/2025

Todays tour with magnificent weather and this national park on our doorstep all thanks to interesting & engaging local tour guide 🇨🇦

Breathtaking scenery on todays tour, with Canadian Ski Friends who delight and excite every visitor 🇨🇦⛰️⛷️🏂 starting wit...
05/04/2025

Breathtaking scenery on todays tour, with Canadian Ski Friends who delight and excite every visitor 🇨🇦⛰️⛷️🏂 starting with views over Lake Louise, Victoria mountain. Over 4,200 acres of terrain, on 165 ski runs, with a 5 mile longest run ⛷️, vertical drop of 3,250 feet , from 5400 ft base to summit at 8650 ft.

A real hidden “ treasure “ thanks to Yorkshire Treasures I must visit without further delay .
04/04/2025

A real hidden “ treasure “ thanks to Yorkshire Treasures I must visit without further delay .

How do you hide a house this big? Somehow conceal its connections with a beheaded king, & founding of a US State, and keep the lovely gardens secret from the world? Of course, you can't actually do this, but despite being there for 400 (I went to its lovely birthday party yesterday!), Kiplin Hall somehow remains a bit of a secret spot. Yet its absolutely full of interesting treasures, is an incredibly beautiful building that feels very warm and welcoming - and there's now an excellent light airy tea room. And a gift shop, AND an intriguing new display of old kitchen ware, AND lovely grounds, a lake, several 'garden rooms'...

Do you like the servants’ quarters or the plush master bedrooms best when you visit a stately home? I love the small details of everyday life from the past, and chances to pick up interesting anecdotes. Some grand old houses are beautiful and palatial - almost other-worldly. Kiplin Hall near Richmond is large with a rich history yet it’s also a very friendly welcoming house full of stories. It’s 400 years old, built for George Calvert, founder of Maryland, USA.

There are some opulent furnishings and grand rooms but my favourite items are smaller and more intimate. I love the clunky large postilion’s boots, open on one side. The pair of riders would wear a boot on their inside leg to protect them from being caught or crushed between the two horses. There’s a wonderful curved table fitted on the hearth of a fire, designed so residents could enjoy the warmth of the fire as they ate or drank.

Some of the items on display seem quite random, such as the large lump of wood which is supposedly part of the block on which King Charles 1st was beheaded. There’s a very smart side cupboard with an open door, showing the chamber pot hidden inside.

If you’re anything like me, it’s far easier to imagine living in the servants’ quarters than the grander rooms. The bathrooms also feel reassuringly ‘real’ if somewhat stark!

Look up Kiplin Hall for exact directions as it's in a somewhat hidden location, between Catterick and Northallerton, on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales

Todays tour location- need I say more 🇨🇦✔️
03/04/2025

Todays tour location- need I say more 🇨🇦✔️

We’ve had some beautiful snow ❄️ and did we mention the views!? 👀❤️

Today’s ski tour ; started with my short reminder on mountain 🏔️safety; and individual responsibility. These signs captu...
02/04/2025

Today’s ski tour ; started with my short reminder on mountain 🏔️safety; and individual responsibility. These signs capture perfectly. 👌to lighten the ⛷️tour the piste run signs too 😉. Starting on the border between Alberta & British Columbia 🇨🇦

The start of multiple ski touring of the Rockies, from Banff, Alberta. Today lived up to its name. The signage also aptl...
02/04/2025

The start of multiple ski touring of the Rockies, from Banff, Alberta. Today lived up to its name. The signage also aptly describes each “piste” . This group of 🇨🇦ladies in awe of their ski guide too ⛷️🇬🇧😇 and thankful for their complimentary “ refreshing “ tea 🍵🤭

The city of Ripon; Englands 3rd smallest but with a heart ❤️ of gold to excite delight and inspire 🤔 see why? Below ⬇️ t...
31/03/2025

The city of Ripon; Englands 3rd smallest but with a heart ❤️ of gold to excite delight and inspire 🤔 see why? Below ⬇️ thanks to Yorkshire Treasures

There's a building on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales that's even older than the Kingdom of England: an intriguing Anglo-Saxon crypt, dating from 672AD. It’s the oldest structure of any cathedral in England still in use today, at Ripon Cathedral. The misericords are thought to have inspired the Adventures of Alice in Wonderland.

Ripon has been welcoming visitors since 672 when Saint Wilfrid laid those foundations. At the heart of Yorkshire’s smallest city (with a wonderful green frame) is the cobbled market square. It was described by Defoe as ‘the finest and most beautiful square… of its kind in England'.

You’ll immediately notice the strikingly tall Obelisk, one of many legacies left by John Aislabie. His other important contributions to the local area include Studley Royal Water Gardens, and the folly-filled woods at Hackfall.

The Obelisk is the starting point for Ripon’s famous nightly tradition: setting of the watch by the Ripon Hornblower every night at 9.00 pm.

Just off the square you’ll find three fascinating Ripon Museums that tell the story of less fortunate times, prisoners and poverty. Discover what it was like to be truly poor at the Workhouse Museum and Garden. Learn about crime and punishment at the Prison & Police Museum, where children can dress up or be a detective. You can even stand in the dock at the Courthouse and imagine waiting for a guilty or innocent verdict.

I never go to Ripon without popping into the The Little Ripon Bookshop, where you can also find plenty of local inspiration, maps and guide books. Ripon still has many independent businesses: it's always worth wandering along North Street and Kirkgate.

Visit Ripon between 5th - 27th April and you'll be able to see a very different side of Ripon when a 33-metre ferris wheel will take visitors above the rooftops for a birds' eye view. Ripon Scenic Cruises will also introduce you to another part of Ripon with a leisurely cruise along the canal.

Nearby Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, National Trust are stunningly beautiful and historically very significant (hence their UNESCO World Heritage Status). You can still experience the peace and tranquillity that attracted the original monks, almost 900 years ago. Other nearby attractions include Newby Hall & Gardens and The Hutts Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park.

Photo thanks to Ripon BID

Thanks again to Tom Holmes photography & All Locations Great and Small for another of  insight into current 🎥 of   in   ...
26/03/2025

Thanks again to Tom Holmes photography & All Locations Great and Small for another of insight into current 🎥 of in and again 👌see below ⬇️

3 May Skipton diary date a MUST visit including FREE entry to the Yorkshire Heritage Summit & exhibition which is summat...
26/03/2025

3 May Skipton diary date a MUST visit including FREE entry to the Yorkshire Heritage Summit & exhibition which is summat for nowt 😉✔️ see below ⬇️ thanks to Real Yorkshire Tours

Don't forget - Tuesday 3rd May in Skipton - FREE Yorkshire Heritage Exhibition at The Town Hall organised by The Yorkshire Society

Darrowby and stunning location again for series six of   and where my ambulance station was located top of square ( now ...
20/03/2025

Darrowby and stunning location again for series six of and where my ambulance station was located top of square ( now the flower shop) in

"Sunset on Set"

The sun sets over the first day of location filming for series 6 in Darrowby (aka Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales National Park). The now familiar Endleby's greengrocers returns this year with a new solicitors appearing next door. Skeldale house at the back of the scene appears to be the same as usual.
No properties have the war-time tape on their windows anymore, but butter and sugar are still rationed at the greengrocers, maybe giving some indication of the year series 6 is set in?

© Tom Holmes / www.TomHolmes.Photography

“ Let’s cross ❌ that bridge when we get to it “ ; a frequent used saying ( even for Tour Guides too 🤔) ; the meaning and...
19/03/2025

“ Let’s cross ❌ that bridge when we get to it “ ; a frequent used saying ( even for Tour Guides too 🤔) ; the meaning and fascinating snippets on bridges in Yorkshire below ⬇️ all thanks to Yorkshire Treasures 🙌

Why do we say, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it"? With over 50 dales, and at least that number of rivers and streams, there are plenty of bridges and river-crossings in the Yorkshire Dales. ​Some are not just useful, they're beautiful and historic. Many settlements grew up close to rivers, with important bridges or other crossings nearby.

The expression 'we'll cross that bridge when we come to it' probably came from the fact that rivers can be dangerous and changeable so crossings were not always in the state you'd hope for when travellers reached them. There was no point in worrying about their state until you got closer and could see how it was.

There are essentially three different kinds of river crossing still in existence (apart from boats...): stepping stones, fords and bridges.

The stepping stones at Bolton Abbey are probably the most famous, but you'll find many others through out the Dales, some half-hidden by the flow of the river. ​They would have been a hazardous and unreliable way to cross, often only passable with a wooden staff to keep one's balance.
Fords could only be built where rivers ran quite slowly and were shallow. ​You'll notice some over streams which were paved for more frequent use, often leading to a house or settlement.

After the Romans, one of the most common reasons for travelling around the Yorkshire Dales was to trade wool or sheep, something at which the landowning monks were adept. They're likely to have built some of the earliest bridges. ​

​You can see clapper bridges in Austwick, Malham and Linton. They were mostly built for the convenience of locals across narrow and shallow rivers or streams.
Over time some packhorse bridges have been altered to make them safer but you can still find some in their original condition, either without any sides or with low ones so packhorses carrying panniers laden with goods could easily pass.

Some bridges were initially built using timber but were replaced with stone when the wood rotted. In the 18th century the Turnpike Trusts were given the power to collect tolls making it worthwhile to improve roads and bridges, making them better and broader.

Bridges were essential to travellers but not everyone wanted to pay for their upkeep. If you look at 19th century bridges you may notice small initialled markers at the side of the bridge, such as the one inscribed WR at the end of Grassington Bridge, showing that West Riding County Council had liability for its upkeep.

​You might associate suspension bridges with Hull or other bigger cities but we have at least two in the Dales, one in Reeth, known as the Swing Bridge and the other across the river Wharfe near Linton.

​The suspension bridge across the river Wharfe was created after a local man drowned trying to cross the stepping stones. It was designed and built by the village blacksmith using over 250 metres of old steel rope, bought from a mining company.

Do you have a favourite river crossing? Do share where and any photos!

Another SCHOOL day of learning; I’d no idea that the world 🌎 famous local brewery at Masham had produced a 0% N’Owt Pecu...
17/03/2025

Another SCHOOL day of learning; I’d no idea that the world 🌎 famous local brewery at Masham had produced a 0% N’Owt Peculier beer 🍺 and on draft too 👍 thanks for the info The Station Inn Theakston Brewery

Address

Harrogate

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Monday 8am - 8pm
Tuesday 8am - 8pm
Wednesday 8am - 8pm
Thursday 8am - 8pm
Friday 8am - 8pm
Saturday 8am - 8pm
Sunday 8am - 8pm

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+447505485532

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