Between Hull And Scarborough Is A Quiet Village With Charming Pubs Tucked In The Heart Of The Yorkshire Wolds

The Yorkshire Coast is a charming part of England, home to beautiful North Sea beaches and inviting seaside towns. However, sometimes it's worthwhile venturing slightly inland to uncover some other interesting destinations. Nafferton, a small village in Yorkshire's East Riding region, offers an enticing atmosphere and surrounding nature. It's also only slightly more than 20 miles from Scarborough to the north and Hull to the south — a convenient trip from either coastal city.

Travelers shouldn't visit Nafferton if they're looking for a lot of activity, sights, and sounds. It's known for being a quiet village with a peaceful ambiance befitting its nearby natural spoils. This is a cozy place, and its 2,600-strong community tends to uphold this vibe. That's not to say there isn't anything to do here. Far from it. It's just best if you appreciate a slower pace and some very specific activities, including settling into booths at various local pubs and strolls around the mere (pond) that sits in the village center.

Nafferton also offers great access to the Yorkshire Wolds, a picturesque space for outdoor recreation that encircles the village. Grassy hilltops, valleys, fields, and pastures create a distinctly English setting for anyone keen on exploring further. This isn't just a place for nature lovers either — the Wolds contain centuries of history that's at your fingertips when you stay in Nafferton.

If you haven't lived in a small village before, you may not understand the importance of local pubs. In the U.K., these watering holes are more than just four walls and a place to wet your whistle. They are community hubs, upholding the traditions, history, and social threads of tight-knit settlements. Nafferton has a few pubs, including two along its high street. One of these is the family-run Petros and the Cross Keys, a gastropub with a wood-paneled bar and separate restaurant. Patrons can sit around a fireplace during winter or mingle outside in a courtyard with picnic tables in summer. Various ales and ciders also pair well with home-cooked Mediterranean meals made from locally sourced ingredients.

A one-minute walk down High Street is the hotel-slash-pub The Star Inn, boasting a Greek influence thanks to one of its owners, Spiros. Diners can order a meze banquet, featuring Greek dishes like prawn saganaki, mousaka, feta cheese wrapped in pastry, fried meatballs, and baklava for dessert. It also has an indoor bar, picnic tables out front, and a courtyard where you can enjoy a pint and conversation. Blue Bell Inn is another popular pub, within a 10-minute walk from the other two. This one offers a traditional setting, with a white-brick exterior and beer garden. One Google review raves, "Roaring fire on a freezing day and very welcoming host. Plenty of space for seating and they have a pool table too."

Staying in Nafferton means staying in the Yorkshire Wolds. This natural landscape has inspired many artists, including painter David Hockney, and still retains its beauty today. Rolling chalk hills, forests, and farmland cover vast distances between villages like Nafferton, where you can get a taste of the region's tranquility. Simply wander around Nafferton Mere, a pond in the center of the village. Stroll past the quaint surrounding homes and verdant trees while watching resident ducks and swans on the water.

Those wanting to venture beyond town can walk the Yorkshire Wolds Way. This 79-mile-long pathway leads you through the Wolds, covering much of its natural scenery, villages, and towns. If you want to stroll the official Wolds Way, drive 30 minutes to Millington, where you can link up with the trail. Hilltop views, woodlands, estuaries, and tranquil valleys all await those willing to lace up their boots and ramble for a time. Nafferton isn't on the actual route, but you can walk to nearby towns, such as Driffield and Wansford, along paths that cross railroad tracks, wind through farmland, and traverse grassy, wooded landscapes. Other Wolds towns may require a car to reach, such as Wharram Percy. This once-thriving medieval village is also about 30 minutes away.

You can reach Nafferton by driving 40 minutes or catching a train from Hull, one of Europe's most affordable destinations. If you're coming from Scarborough, give yourself 40 minutes via car or about one hour via train. Nafferton's only accommodation is the aforementioned Star Inn, so it would be best as a day trip stop from either of the larger hubs. Fancy combining Yorkshire's countryside with its coastline? Good news: you're only a 15-minute train ride from Bridlington's award-winning beaches, fresh seafood, and fishing.