Day Trips From York by Train

There’s tons to see and do in York (see our Visit York by Train page). But if you fancy venturing a bit further afield, see our pick of destinations that you can get to by train from York for a short day trip.

From quiet walks to scenic countryside, historic buildings, culture, restaurants and shopping, you’re bound to find something to enjoy.

You can plan your train journey here, and don’t forget if you have a Railcard(external link, opens in a new tab) you can get 1/3 off your rail fares.

Day trips from York in 1 hour or under

Leeds

Located in the heart of the UK, Leeds is a dynamic city packed full of culture and with plentiful restaurants, cafes and shops, all easily accessible on foot.

Regarded as the unofficial capital of Yorkshire, it has a world class music venue, First Direct Arena(external link, opens in a new tab), the wonderful Roundhay Park(external link, opens in a new tab), 3 miles north of the city centre, and Hyde Park Picture House(external link, opens in a new tab), one of the oldest cinemas in the UK.

Nearest station: Leeds

Harrogate

Small but perfectly formed, Harrogate is a popular destination famous for its spring water(external link, opens in a new tab), which was discovered in 1571 and which is still going strong now.

Visit the 7th century Ripon Cathedral(external link, opens in a new tab) – the oldest structure of any cathedral still in use in England today – which boasts an Anglo-Saxon crypt, or Skipton Town Hall(external link, opens in a new tab), which has a museum, art gallery and visitor centre. 
 
Nearest station: Harrogate

Scarborough

This seaside town, the largest on the Yorkshire coast, is all about long walks on gorgeous sandy beaches. Take the coastal path to Filey Beach(external link, opens in a new tab), 9 miles south of Scarborough, to experience one of the best beaches in the UK.

For a more relaxed day out, marvel at the whitewashed Vincent’s Pier & Scarborough Lighthouse(external link, opens in a new tab) and have fun at Luna Park(external link, opens in a new tab), which has old-fashioned favourites from dodgems to carousels.

Nearest station: Scarborough

Doncaster

Awarded city status in 2022, Doncaster boasts the Yorkshire Wildlife Park(external link, opens in a new tab), which offers a walk-through animal adventure that takes in polar bears, big cats, red pandas and rhinos, and the Doncaster Dome(external link, opens in a new tab), which has over 50 activities including a 7-pool water world and a split-level ice rink.

Meanwhile, Cusworth Hall(external link, opens in a new tab), a Grade I-listed building, is set in acres of historical parkland and is perfect for a picnic.

Nearest station: Doncaster

Middlesborough

Located north of the spectacular North York Moors National Park(external link, opens in a new tab), Middlesborough is also close to a beautiful coastline with sandy beaches and long promenades.

Visit the Middlesborough Institute of Modern Art(external link, opens in a new tab) – known locally simply as ‘MIMA’ – to see a carefully curated collection of art of British and international artists dating back to the mid-1800s, or take a walk around the 30-acre Albert Park(external link, opens in a new tab).

Nearest station: Middlesborough

Durham

Built on both sides of the River Wear, Durham is probably best known for its Cathedral(external link, opens in a new tab), completed in the early 12th century, and Castle(external link, opens in a new tab), an ancient Norman fortress, which together form a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Take a walk around the ancient woodland in Durham University’s 10-acre Botanic Garden(external link, opens in a new tab) or wonder at the banana trees in the glasshouses.

Nearest station: Durham

Hull

Officially ‘Kingston upon Hull’, but invariably shortened to ‘Hull’, this charming port city sits on the north bank of the Humber Estuary.

Marvel at the Humber Bridge(external link, opens in a new tab), an extraordinary feat of modern engineering that was officially opened back in 1981 and that now welcomes over 30,000 crossings a day (fun fact: there is enough wire in the bridge to go around the Moon more than 6 times) and visit The Deep(external link, opens in a new tab). This education and conservation charity makes its own salt water and really cares about the welfare of its animals: its mantra is, ‘For the oceans, for their future.’

Nearest station: Hull

Day trips from York in 1 to 2 hours

Sheffield

Once world famous for its steel production, this vibrant South Yorkshire city has plenty of things to do and see. Visit Sheffield Botanical Gardens(external link, opens in a new tab), which has 18 different gardens linked by twisting pathways or paddleboard on the city’s waterways with DC Outdoors(external link, opens in a new tab).

You can explore the city’s history either at the Cholera Monument(external link, opens in a new tab) – visible across the city, it is a memorial to the people who died during the 1832 cholera outbreak – or at the Kelham Island Museum(external link, opens in a new tab) which shows what it was like to live and work in Sheffield during the Industrial Revolution.

Nearest station: Sheffield

Halifax

Located near the east Pennine foothills, on the edge of glorious countryside, Halifax boasts a Grade I listed building and plaza that wouldn’t look out of place in Italy. The Piece Hall(external link, opens in a new tab) was originally used as a cloth hall to make hand-woven textiles, and is now a cultural venue packed with boutiques, restaurants and cafés.

Visit Halifax Minster(external link, opens in a new tab) to see the tomb of Anne Lister, widely regarded as “the first modern lesbian” and immortalised in Sally Wainwright’s Gentleman Jack TV series, or stroll around People’s Park(external link, opens in a new tab), a 12.5 acre site that has a children’s play area and a bandstand.

Nearest station: Halifax