Summer is the season to get outdoors and start exploring.
With lovely landscapes and beauty spots galore, there’s perhaps no better place than Yorkshire.
God’s Own Country features a wealth of lovely villages which make great day trips and many are just a short drive from the city of Leeds.
If you want to get in touch with nature, here are 13 villages near our city which are wonderful to wander through.
1. Bolton Abbey, North Yorkshire
Known for it's magnificent Priory, Bolton Abbey is a small village located in the Craven district of North Yorkshire. A must-see are the 60 stepping stones which cross the River Wharfe. | Tony Johnson
2. Marsden, West Yorkshire
Located in the Colne Valley within Kirklees, the village of Marsden has a population of around 3.700 people. Marsden Moor is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a beloved hiking site. | Tony Johnson
3. Haworth, West Yorkshire
Over in Bradford, Haworth is a beauty spot best-known as the home of the Brontë sisters. The Yorkshire Moors that surround the village can be seen both in Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. | Local Library
4. Burnsall, North Yorkshire
Burnsall is a picturesque riverside village with a population of just over 100 residents. It's a great area where visitors can enjoy picnics, wild swimming, and local pub visits. | Tony Johnson
5. Kettlewell, North Yorkshire
Located in Upper Wharefedale, Kettlewell is a character-filled village many hikers will have passed through. In August, you can expect to see scarecrows across the village for the Kettlewell's annual scarecrow festival. | Jonathan Gawthorpe
6. Hebden, North Yorkshire
Visitors may recognise Hebden in Upper Wharfedale, from scenes in Channel 5 drama All Creatures Great and Small. A highlight of the village is Lumb Hole Falls, a stunning waterfall.