Charming County with 'Fairytale' Towns and the UK’s Top Fish & Chip Shop Declared a Must-Visit in 2026!

THE must-visit destinations across the UK have been revealed and North Yorkshire has made the list.

With sweeping beaches, beautiful towns and movie backdrops – it’s no wonder Condé Nast Traveller as one of the ‘Best Places to Go in the UK in 2026’ – and here are some of our favourite spots to go in the county.

Robin Hood’s Bay is a must-visit for anyone heading to North YorkshireCredit: Alamy Scarborough is considered a cheap seaside breakCredit: Alamy

Knaresborough

Along the River Nidd is this which is often described as being ‘postcard perfect’, or looking like a ‘fairytale’.

It’s a few miles away from and is known for having a huge viaduct as well as pretty riverside and cafes.

Sun Writer Katrina Turrill grew up in Knaresborough, and here’s what she like popping into its many pubs.

“There are a lot of in Knaresborough – so many, I always lose count. I found 15 online, but I’m sure there’s more. There are traditional pubs with rich , such as Blind Jack’s in the market square.

“One of my favourite pubs is Carriages , with its cosy atmosphere and tasty food. The outdoor area is great in , with views of pretty Knaresborough train station.”

Some of her other favourite things to do is heading up to Knaresborough Castle which is where you’ll get the best view of the viaduct.

Get onto the river itself in a row boat and get a bite to eat from Marigolds and an ice cream.

One popular attraction is Mother Shipton’s Cave which is named after the Yorkshire prophetess.

Whitby

The charming seaside town of has red-roofed houses, winding streets as well as huge cliffs.

Of course the nearby Gothic Whitby Abbey was Bram Stoker’s inspiration for his book, Dracula.

If you want to feel like you’re in the novel, walk up the 199 steps from the Old Town to St Mary’s Church and the Abbey ruins.

Travel Reporter who : “In my trip to the town, I ticked off all the staple activities. A Mr Whippy enjoyed by the harbour, spare change spent in Funland’s Amusements, and fish and chips for tea.

“Plus my stroll along the sands, backed by spectacular moss-green cliffs, was an ideal way to soak up those breath-taking views of the rugged coast.

One of the things that makes Whitby stand out amongst other seaside spots is its connection to a famous explorer, Captain Cook and the ‘House on the Harbour’ museum is a must-visit.”

Another must-visit in Whitby is Trenchers – which is the best fish and chip shop in the UK.

Trenchers of Whitby secured the Restaurant of the Year title at the National Fish and Chips Awards 2026 – which is considered the ‘Oscars‘ of the fish and chip industry.

A takeaway cod and chips will set you back £13.50.

Whitby has winding streets and award-winning fish and chip shopsCredit: Alamy

Robin Hood’s Bay

This tiny fishing village sits on a clifftop overlooking the bay and it’s considered one of the most beautiful seaside spots in the country.

It has winding roads, hilly streets and pokey little shops selling the likes of and souvenirs.

Assistant Travel Editor as “something from a fiction tale or a North Yorkshire postcard.”

She continued: “In , you’ll find dogs sprinting along the sands, while owners tuck into fresh crab sandwiches from the beachside hut and little ones fish for treasures in the rock pools.

“I prefer the village in , though, when visitors can stroll the rows of higgledy-piggledy boutiques and cafes dishing up wedges of homemade cakes piled high with buttercream.

“What’s more, there’s a restriction on visitor vehicles and cars are even banned from the harbour area, making it a great place for a car-free

Scarborough

, which is known as ‘s first seaside resort, is split into two bays – the South and North Bay.

Each is worth exploring with the South Bay having most of the shops, restaurants and amusement arcades.

Meanwhile, the North Bay is much quieter and is a great place to simply enjoy the beach or go for a surf.

Senior Feature Writer for , Alex Lloyd in summer last year.

She described it as the “perfect family day out” where you spend “hardly any .”

You can rent out a beach chalet from £50 a day and have a go on the cliff-railway for £2.50.

If you’re lucky enough, and bring a pair of binoculars you might spot bottlenose dolphins, porpoises and minke whales.

There is plenty of entertainment too and Alex explored the South Cliff Gardens, a hillside adventure playground and the arcades at Olympia Leisure.

Yorkshire Dales National Park

The Dales are known for glorious views and dramatic scenery and it is seeing a thanks to its appearance in .

The new film starring and Jacob Elordi certainly had Brits talking when it came to cinemas last month.

Travel Writer explored the : “Heathcliff is not the only mysterious, brooding beast in Yorkshire. The scenery provides just as much drama as the Wuthering Heights character.”

She added: “Largely shot on location in the — amid the landcapes of valleys and the peaceful village of Low Row — the movie shines a well-deserved spotlight on this glorious corner of England.

“With its scarred limestone hills, scattered with rocks, and rolling green pastures, criss-crossed with drystone walls and peppered with honeyed-stone villages, this region is the picture of a period drama.”

The sweeping Yorkshire Moors appeared in Wuthering HeightsCredit: AP

For more on Yorkshire – here’s a ‘‘.

And here’s one quaint .

North Yorkshire is full of pretty towns like riverside KnaresboroughCredit: Alamy