Yorkshire comes into its own in autumn, as the trees turn gold and orange and misty mornings and crisp days are made for long walks followed by a cosy pub stop. October is the best month for autumn colour in the North York Moors, according to the National Park, but there’s plenty to enjoy across the county throughout the season.
From watching rutting deer and following waterfall trails to stargazing and riding a steam train through the countryside, autumn in Yorkshire offers much more than colourful leaves.
These nine experiences take you from South Yorkshire to the Dales and North York Moors, with ideas for family adventures, challenging hikes and gentler days out.
Planning a road trip to Yorkshire in October or November? Read on for places to visit and things to do, or download our full PDF guide below to save for later and take on your trip.
Hardcastle Crags
Best for autumnal colours
Autumn turns this wooded West Yorkshire valley near Hebden Bridge into a mix of gold, bronze and russet. Beech, birch and oak line the streams, while mossy boulders and fallen leaves give the paths a properly autumnal feel. Follow the riverside route from Midgehole to Gibson Mill, a 19th-century cotton mill with a café, then climb the steep steps to the Crags for views over the treetops.
Where to park: Midgehole Car Park HX7 7AL
Nearest town: Hebden Bridge
Insider tip: From Gibson Mill, take the two-mile Crags Constitutional circular trail for quieter beech woods, waterfalls and the chance to spot dippers and wagtails by the water.
Ribblehead Viaduct
Best for moorland scenery
Autumn turns the moorland around Ribblehead Viaduct straw and bronze, with softer light and low cloud adding drama to the surrounding peaks. Standing 104 feet tall, this Grade II-listed structure carries the Settle–Carlisle railway over Batty Moss on 24 colossal arches. Walk towards the viaduct from the parking area, then follow the paths beneath its arches to appreciate the scale of the stonework. This walk is about wide-open views and golden-brown grasses
Parking: Ribblehead Visitor Centre LA6 3AS
Nearest town: Settle
Insider tip: Walk over to the Station Inn, around 10 minutes from the viaduct, for a hearty pub meal and a locally brewed ale after exploring the autumn moorland stroll.
Ribblehead Viaduct
Sutton Bank
Best for hilltop views
Autumn brings yellow, gold and bronze to the woodland below Sutton Bank, particularly around Gormire Lake, adding colour to the wide views across the Vale of York and Vale of Mowbray. James Herriot called this the “finest view in England”, and the changing foliage makes it especially rewarding at this time of year. Allow around 1½ hours for the 1¾-mile walk along the escarpment to the top. There's also a walk along to Kilburn’s White Horse, the vast figure carved into the hillside. Sutton Bank is free to visit, though parking charges apply.
Where to park: Sutton Bank Car Park YO7 2HJ
Nearest town: Thirsk
Insider tip: Prefer two wheels? Hire a bike from Sutton Bank Bikes on site and choose from four routes, from family-friendly trails to a technical red route.
Sutton Bank viewpoint
Go Ape Dalby Forest
Best for adventurous types
For a more active take on autumn colour, head above the canopy at Go Ape Dalby Forest. High ropes, crossings and a cross-valley zip wire offer a different view of the woods, where golden larch, yellow ash, red wild cherry and russet oak stand out against the pines and spruces. Once you are back on the ground, Dalby Forest’s 8,500 acres offer 10 walking trails and six cycling routes if you want to make a full day of it.
Where to park: Dalby Forest Visitor Centre Car Park, YO18 7LT
Nearest town: Pickering
Insider tip: Travelling by motorhome? The White Swan pub in Pickering offers stopovers, with water, showers and toilets on site.
Dalby Forest
Danby Lodge National Park Centre
Best for stargazing
Earlier sunsets and longer nights make autumn a good time to look up in the North York Moors, one of just 24 International Dark Sky Reserves worldwide. On a clear night with little moonlight, Danby Lodge is a good place to look for the Milky Way, while October may bring Orionid meteors and November the Leonids. For help finding your way around the night sky, book an organised astronomy session during the Dark Skies Fringe Festival, running from 23 October to 1 November.
Where to park: Danby Car Park, YO21 2NA
Nearest town: Loftus
Insider tip: For another stargazing spot in the national park, head to Dalby Forest for an evening session with Astro Dog on selected dates from October to February, from 7pm to 9pm.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway: Pickering to Grosmont
Best for views without the hike
See the North York Moors in autumn from the comfort of a heritage carriage pulled by a steam locomotive. The 18-mile journey between Pickering and Grosmont takes one hour and 10 minutes each way, passing wooded valleys and open moorland as the foliage changes. Break the journey at Goathland Station, which appeared as Hogsmeade in the first Harry Potter film, or continue to Whitby for the full 24-mile route. Services run Saturday to Wednesday until 1 November, and dogs are welcome.
Where to park: Pickering Station YO18 7AJ
Nearest town: Pickering
Insider tip: Arrive early to explore Pickering’s 1930s-style station, browse the railway-history displays and stop for cake in the traditional tearoom before boarding.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Goathland Station
Studley Royal Deer Park
Best for spotting wildlife
Studley Royal Deer Park, near Ripon, is home to around 300 red, sika and fallow deer. In October and November, the deer rut brings an added reason to visit, as males call, compete for mates and sometimes lock antlers. Follow the three-mile circular deer-park trail past ancient oaks, limes and sweet chestnuts, taking binoculars to watch the herds from a respectful distance. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leads. Entry to the deer park is free, though parking charges apply. It is open year-round, from 9am to 6pm until late October and until 5pm thereafter.
Where to park: Studley Royal Lakeside Car Park, HG4 3AY
Nearest town: Ripon
Insider tip: The Water Rat, Ripon’s only riverside pub, sits beside the River Skell, with terrace views of the water, autumn foliage and cathedral beyond. Expect home-cooked pub food and a Sunday carvery.
Studley Deer Park
Ingleborough Hike
Best for a challenging hike
Yorkshire’s second-highest hill, Ingleborough is hard to miss, with its broad, flat summit and volcano-like profile. From Clapham, allow five to seven hours for the roughly 10-mile return walk. The route follows a lakeside trail through autumn woodland, limestone gorges and open fell, passing Ingleborough Cave, Trow Gill and Gaping Gill’s enormous pothole before the steep final climb. On a clear day, the summit offers views across the Dales, towards the Lake District and Morecambe Bay, and even as far as Eryri (Snowdonia) in exceptional visibility. Set off early to make the most of the shorter daylight hours.
Where to park: Yorkshire Dales National Park Car Park: Clapham, LA2 8EQ
Nearest town: High Bentham
Insider tip: Finish at Ingleton’s OPO Bar, a former post office turned quirky, award-winning micropub serving craft beer and cocktails. It’s a welcome stop after a day on the hill.
Hardraw Force Waterfall
Best for a waterfall after rain
Autumn rain can make Hardraw Force, in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, particularly dramatic. More water tumbles over its roughly 100-foot drop, England’s highest single-drop waterfall, while autumn colour adds warmth to the woodland around the gorge. Near Hawes, a 10-minute walk through the woods leads to the falls. Film fans may recognise the setting from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, when Maid Marian finds Robin bathing beneath the cascade. Admission charges apply, and autumn and winter opening hours are 10am to 4pm
Where to park: On-site car park, DL8 3LZ
Nearest town: Hawes
Insider tip: Retrace the woodland path to the Green Dragon Inn, a 13th-century Dales pub directly on the Pennine Way, for a hearty pie and locally brewed ale beside a real fire.
Hardraw Force Waterfall
Cannon Hall Farm
Best for the whole family
Autumn is a good time to see a working farm in action, and Cannon Hall Farm in the Pennine foothills near Barnsley has plenty to keep children busy. There are tractor rides, goat-milking demonstrations, a reptile house, farm animals, and sheep and ferret racing. October brings pumpkin picking at one of the region’s largest patches, with almost 10,000 pumpkins available on selected dates from 10–31 October. There is also an indoor play area for wetter days. The farm is open year-round.
Where to park: On-site car park, S75 4AT
Nearest town: Barnsley
Insider tip: Next door, Cannon Hall Museum, Park and Gardens is free to explore, with historic parkland, landscaped gardens and a walled garden providing a scenic autumn stroll.
Planning your road trip around Yorkshire? Make the most of your journey with our Yorkshire Road Trip guidebook, packed with everything you need for the ultimate road trip.
