The County of Yorkshire
York lies at the centre of the former county of Yorkshire, once the largest and most powerful in England. Yorkshire has now been divided for administrative purposes into the four counties of North, East, South and West Yorshire and the City of York, but the inhabitants still maintain a loyalty and pride in coming from Yorkshire. The emblem of Yorkshire is the white rose, which features prominently on the Yorkshire flag.
Known to its residents as "God's Own Country", Yorkshire contains some of the most beautiful scenery in England.
The inhabitants of Yorkshire are known for a straight talking, honest approach to life, and an intense pride in their county.
North Yorkshire
Despite
being only one-third of the original county or Yorkshire, North Yorkshire is
the largest county in England, and one of the most scenic, containing
two national parks: the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Dales,
two areas of outstanding natural beauty (Nidderdale and the Howardian
Hills), and some outstanding coastline including the famous beaches at Scarborough (Britain's oldest seaside resort), Filey and Whitby (voted the United Kingdom's best beach), picturesque fishing villages including Robin Hood's Bay, and three Heritage Coast areas.
This part of Yorkshire provides the best opportunities to get away from the busy life on campus and in the city, and enjoy a relaxing day trekking over heather moorland, walking along secluded beaches or exploring the villages and farmlands that give the Yorkshire Dales their unique character. The countryside is accessible from York using the extensive local bus network.
The county also contains a number of historic houses and buildings, including Castle Howard and Harewood House, both of which have a range of special events throughout the year, and the ruins of several powerful medieval abbeys, including Fountains Abbey, Rievaulx and Whitby Abbey, which provide haunting settings for open-air theatre.
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire contains the largest metropolitan centre of Yorkshire: the twin cities of Leeds and Bradford. Both are within easy reach of York with excellent road and rail links, and both provide a wide range of opportunities for shopping, recreation and nightlife. In particular, the city centre of Leeds provides a wide range of excellent shops.
Leeds grew into a large city during the industrial revolution when it was a centre for the wool industry. It is now a major financial and legal centre, and the only city outside London to have its own opera and ballet companies: the Opera North company, and the Northern Ballet Theatre. The city is also notable for the Leeds Music Festival, and the Leeds Piano Competition. Theatres include the City Varieties Music Hall - the longest continually running variety theatre in England, and the West Yorkshire Playhouse.
Leeds is also the home of the Yorkshire County Cricket Club, the most successful county cricket club in England, and Leeds United Football Club, currently not the most successful football team in the country (although they are still doing better than York).
South Yorkshire
South Yorkshire contains the city of Sheffield; notable for a extensive theatre district, and the Meadowhall Shopping Centre in Sheffield,
Sheffield is an industrial city world-famous for steel production, and in particular the manufacture of cutlery. The Sheffield Theatres complex is the largest theatre complex in England outside London, and the city is establishing a strong reputation in the performing arts. It is also the birthplace of football and home to Sheffield Football Club, the oldest football club in the world (founded in 1857) and the oldest football ground (Sandygate Road, first opened in 1804). Sadly, there are now no Yorkshire teams currently playing in the English premiership league.
East Yorkshire
East Yorkshire contains the Yorkshire Wolds, an area of gently rolling hills and farmland, as well as the major port Hull (the county's only large town), and the market town of Beverley. It is one of the least densely populated regions in England, with much of the land taken up by farming. It lacks the spectacular scenery of North Yorkshire and the vibrant cities of West Yorkshire; it has a more gentle landscape.