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.
7. Osmotherley, North Yorkshire
If you're in North Allerton, the small village of Osmotherley is well worth a visit. The beautiful Cod Beck Resevoir is surrounded by a 1.5 mile walking trail which many hikers love. | Local Library
8. Skidby, East Yorkshire
Located near Beverley, Skidby is a quaint East Yorkshire village known for it's rural charm. A must-see is Skidby Windmill which has stood proud in the village since 1821.
9. Saltaire, West Yorkshire
Victorian model village Saltaire is nestled in Bradford and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alongside Roberts Park, a highlight of the area is Salts Mill, a former textile mill which is now an extensive art gallery featuring works by David Hockney. | Tony Johnson
10. Bishop Burton, East Yorkshire
On the edge of the Yorkshire Wolds, Bishop Burton is a quaint village with lovely nature walks. The rolling hills are a particularly gorgeous spot.
11. Thornton-Le-Dale, North Yorkshire
Three miles east of Pickering, you can find Thornton-Le-Dale, a village which looks like a step back in time. The Grade II listed thatched cottage makes a particularly great photo opportunity. | Local Library
12. North Rigton, North Yorkshire
North Rigton is a small village north of Leeds in the Harrogate District. Armscliffe Crag is adjacent to the village, which is considered one of the best rock climbing locations in the country. | Jonathan Gawthorpe