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| Yorkshire The largest county in the land - so large it had to be divided by the Danes for administrative purposes into its ancient divisions called Ridings, or 'thridings' (third parts). Between them the North, East and West Ridings account for roughly an eighth of England's land area and a tenth of its population. In general terms, the North Riding, stretching in a ribbon across the county from the Pennines to the North Sea, can be said to be predominantly pastoral; the West Riding, running from the Pennines southeast, is industrial; and the East Riding, running between them to the Humber Estuary, is given over primarily to arable farming. The shape of this county, in the north-east of England, is like a ragged square, pulled down a little in its lower left hand corner. Within the boundaries of the three Ridings is amazing scenic variation. The Pennine mountains, grey-white limestone peaks reaching upwards of 2,000 feet, provide the county's western boundary. In the south can be found millstone grit deposits, fringed with the large coal measures which make up some of Britain's largest coal fields, while in the northeast, the North York Moors composed of the considerable Cleveland Hills provide a bastion against the growing encroachment of the North Sea. Places to Visit Allerton Park, Nr. Knaresborough Brodsworth Hall, Doncaster Broughton Hall, Skipton Castle Howard, York Duncombe Park, Helmsley Fairfax House, York Fountains Abbey, Ripon Harewood House, Leeds Newby Hall and Gardens, Ripon Nostell Priory, Wakefield Red House Museum, Gomersal / Batley Ripley Castle, Harrogate Castles of Yorkshire |