Between Newcastle Upon Tyne And Leeds Is A Charming Town With Shops, Local Eats, And Nearby National Parks

When exploring urban Yorkshire, many visitors focus on its most famous and picturesque spots — from the historic walled city of York and the vibrant city of Leeds to seaside gems like Whitby. Few amble further north to the market town of Northallerton, which is not only the county's governmental center but also a charming stopover with shops and restaurants on the way to the open countryside. As the official county seat of North Yorkshire (the largest county in England by size), Northallerton has a few historic government buildings, such as the Grade II-listed red-brick County Hall and the 19th-century corniced Town Hall, as well as a serene, walkable high street. The town's bustling High Street is where the open-air markets take place every week and where visitors can find both independent and national chain stores selling clothes, specialty wines, giftable items, and more local wares.

Northallerton's location also makes it a great base to explore North Yorkshire's two famous national parks: the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales. Additionally, the town is easily reached from Leeds, Yorkshire's most populous city and a main transport connection (about 50 minutes away by car). Newcastle, a walkable and eclectic U.K. city with Victorian-era charm, is just an hour's drive away farther north (60 miles). For visitors who are planning to travel by plane to this corner of Yorkshire, both cities have their own medium-sized airports — Newcastle Airport (NCL) and Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) — with national and international connections.

Despite its modest population of about 17,000, Northallerton is a thriving hub, partially thanks to its role as the fulcrum of local government. The town has historically been affluent, with industries such as fine textile-making and the national railway powering it over the centuries and until the modern day. Today, the town has both high-end shopping and independent stores and eateries. The regular markets still form an important part of the town's identity, including the twice-weekly (Wednesday and Saturday) high street artisan market, which is a historic feature in and of itself — estimated to have been running since the 12th century. The open-air market is a good place to find artisan goods, locally made pies and specialty cheeses, and fresh produce from the region.

Walk along the main High Street, and you will see independent shops sharing space with renowned national chains. The latter include clothing boutiques like White Stuff and Seasalt Cornwall. But it's not just clothes: You have record shop Betterdaze, with its own jukebox room, and craft supplies galore in The Art Shop.

If you want to enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea, Northallerton is home to Bettys Tea Rooms, a locally beloved café renowned across the country for its savory and sweet high tea experience and baked goods. One of only five in Yorkshire, the Northallerton café is located in a stylish Georgian-era building in the center of town. For a sit-down meal, you can head to Farmhouse, an all-day service restaurant specializing in seasonal produce for its changing British classics menu. Slightly outside of the town center, The Willow Beck is another good option for gourmet pub grub — think hand-battered fish and chips or steak and Malbec pie, accompanied by an extensive wine list.

Despite the famously unpredictable English climate, the Yorkshire Dales' breathtaking vistas and bucolic walks are worth braving the rain for. Using Northallerton as your main base, you can easily reach Aysgarth Falls, which has its own visitor center, in about 50 minutes by car. After parking at the visitor center, you can hike to the three waterfalls that give this spot its name before following one of the trails to the heart of the Dales. A circular 6-mile hike will take you to the imposing 14th-century Bolton Castle, renowned for being one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Britain and popular for its themed activities, including archery and falconry. If you are looking for a scenic trek crossing farmland, valleys, and small villages, follow the course of the River Ure to St. Andrew's Church. This 6.6-mile hike follows paths along the river and through the valley.

From Northallerton, you are also close to the North York Moors National Park, famous for long stretches of bright purple heather that make it the U.K.'s top spot to enjoy this type of habitat. For another North York Moors outing, Helmsley is a walkable town with shops and a castle. An entry point into the Moors, Cod Beck Reservoir is only a 15-minute drive from Northallerton's town center. From there, you can spend an afternoon following the even paths circling this haven for amphibian life or head into Osmotherley, a small but picturesque 19th-century village functioning as a popular stop before embarking on the 40-mile Lyke Wake Walk. Renowned for being a challenging (but rewarding) hike, the route can be completed in sections or in its entirety, all the way to the coastal village of Ravenscar, perched on the North Sea cliffs.