Yorkshire: the adventure awaits

Hi, I'm Tahsin and I'm an international student from Bangladesh. I'm currently studying MSc in Digital and Strategic Marketing at the University of Bradford.

Yorkshire

If you want to live a fast-paced city life but also still be able to venture into the countryside and explore aesthetic cafes, there is no better place than Yorkshire. Living in Bradford gave me ample opportunity to explore Yorkshire.

Each new term, the University of Bradford arranges trips for international students to help us get to know famous spots around Bradford and within the Yorkshire area. We do have to pay for these trips; however, they are very cheap compared to arranging them yourself.

Most of the places I visited in Yorkshire are affordable and can be explored in a day. Here are some of my favourite places to visit in Yorkshire:

York

At the top of my list and a city that I can go to again and again is York.

I've already been twice: once, by coach, on a trip organised by the University and another time on my own, by train. My experience was mesmerising both times.

York is a walled city in North Yorkshire, England. It's got a fascinating history and is home to some of the UK's oldest streets. A walk through this city will make you feel like you're in the mediaeval age or the movies. If you want to experience similar architecture to Oxford and Bath, York is the place.

York train station is a place of art. With glass domes above the platforms, cafes lining the sides, and trains coming and going, York will make you fall in love from the beginning. Once out of the railway station, I'd recommend visiting the National Railway Museum if you are a train and history lover.

If you're a fan of Harry Potter, you'll want to visit the Shambles - it's like a real-life Diagon Alley. A place with narrow streets lined with old shops, restaurants, and cafes. As you walk you will hear familiar music floating in the air and church bells ringing. This makes the whole place a magical and emotional experience.

As you walk through the streets you will find the two towers of York Minster poking up from afar. A beautiful cathedral with fascinating architecture that will fill you with awe. That makes York one of my favourites in Yorkshire.

Leeds

Sometimes, as a student, you want to experience city life, malls, pubs and nightlife. With bar hopping, trying out different restaurants, and enjoying the rush of city life, Leeds is the perfect place to give you all this and is one of my favourite cities in Yorkshire.

One of my days out in Leeds that I remember the most was during Christmas time. The city centre was lit with Christmas lights and the Christmas market was there - you could get all sorts of confectionary and savoury foods to light up your taste buds. The Ferris wheel was an amazing experience and is definitely something you should try!

Lastly, Temple Newsam is less than a 20-minute car ride from Leeds. It offers a wide space of greenery and hilly roads and is a great spot for a picnic or to go hiking (providing the weather is favourable).

Whitby

When you are in the UK, going to the beach is a must.

Whitby is the perfect place to visit to try out your beach sandals and can be explored within a day. It was an unusually sunny day in April when I first went to Whitby. Exploring the town was a delight with friendly faces enjoying the sun and the beach.

The town is full of interesting views and has some of the best fish and chips for you to fill your stomach with.

Whitby Abbey, the place of inspiration for Bram Stoker's Dracula, is an amazing site and as you climb the stairs to the Abbey, you get the most beautiful ocean view from the top. The Abbey is wonderful and is a monument to visit and enjoy the wind from the top.

If you're a fan of Dracula and love the thrill, then I'd definitely visit the Dracula Experience.

Haworth

Last but not least in my list of the best places to visit in Yorkshire is Haworth.

Haworth is a small village in West Yorkshire and was home to the Bronte sisters, who were iconic figures in the history of English literature. You can be transported back in time and visit the place where they lived at the Bronte Parsonage Museum.

If you're a fan of their work, you won't want to miss the amazing view of the famous moor from Emily Bronte's novel, Wuthering Heights.

The cobbled street is lined with a variety of antique shops, voodoo shops, pubs, and restaurants, and is a beautiful place to walk through in the evening. As you climb up (or down!) the hilly street and look around, you can see the green hilly moor from afar. There is strange and calm silence in the village which will make you feel relaxed and at peace.

Discover Bradford and what's on our doorstep. Find out more about all the amazing places to visit in Yorkshire.