It’s hard to define what makes a good view, yet most of us know it when we see one. As the art historian Kenneth Clark put it “people…are united by their pleasure in a good view”. Yet we may disagree about the very best views in any given region. In our case, the debate centres on Yorkshire.
We will all concur that Yorkshire has many grand vistas across the Ridings. Indeed, Simon Jenkins chose 10 in his splendid England’s 100 Best Views. His are all wonderful and yet there is only one of his selections in my final six. My choices will no doubt be a little controversial once again; and I have no doubt that your own would be equally worthy.
For me, a good view works in all seasons and all weathers and it begs to be photographed or captured by those with artistic ability, including Francis Frith, Joe Cornish, JMW Turner, Ashley Jackson and David Hockney. A fine view is usually expansive, such as the amazing panoramas at Flamborough Head, Sutton Bank, across Scarborough, or up Swaledale from Muker. My choices also offer pleasure from different perspectives, so for each one I will show this by including two images from contrasting positions.
After much thought, and ensuring I have my own photos of them, my six are:
- Whitby Harbour
- The Wharfe at Bolton Abbey
- Sheffield from the rail station
- Wansford Mill
- Hewenden Viaduct
- Beverley from the Westwood
Whitby Harbour
Whitby is a town of stunning views and they are around almost every corner. Some of the most arresting are from the two high bridges that span the Esk, the modem road one on the A171 and Larpool Viaduct that formerly carried the railway from Scarborough. I’ve settled on two prospects of the town and harbour: one that takes in the majestic Abbey ruins and the second taken from just below them.I’ve been enjoying both these fabulous views for 40 years. Not only do they never disappoint, but they are also never the same twice.
The Wharfe at Bolton Abbey
The closing of the abbeys by Henry VIII is perhaps one of the greatest acts of cultural vandalism in history. At least in Yorkshire, it has left us with many beautiful views of their remains which are often in the gorgeous countryside. I could just as easily have chosen Rievaulx or Fountains, the two best preserved monastic ruins in the country. However, I’ve settled for Bolton Abbey which is the very exemplification of what the Romantic poets called sublime.
Here, the River Wharfe enhances the spectacle. It is no wonder that generations of folk from William Wordsworth to Alfred Wainwright have revelled in the visual pleasures of the spot. This is a place for the poet, artist and dreamer in us all. As Wainwright put it, with views like this ‘why go to Spain?’
Sheffield from the Midland Station
Yorkshire also has some arresting urban views. York from its walls, or the thrilling new skyline of modern Leeds are two such delights. I’ve chosen Sheffield as my preferred city vista and it looks its best from outside the lovely rail station. From here, the city buildings stack up like a Legoland creation and there always seem to be new ones going up. Sheffield benefits visually from being a city of gradients. The view from just above the tram lines at the station’s rear shows this to even greater effect.
The city planners deserve great credit for transforming the area in front of the station into a thrilling mix of water features, and fittingly for Sheffield, gleaming steel installations. It’s a fantastic way to welcome visitors to a city renowned for its architecture. Turn around and admire the glorious Victorian frontage of the station, and don’t miss the sumptuous interior of the Sheffield Tap pub nearby.
Wansford Mill
This will undoubtedly be the least known of my choices, partly as it is in a little visited area of the East Riding, some three miles east of Driffield. Wansford water mill, framed by willows and wildflowers reflected in the clear chalk waters of the beck and mill pond, is chocolate-box pretty. It changes wonderfully with the seasons and weather – perhaps at its best on a bright spring morning when the daffodils are in full bloom. Wansford itself is a smashing little village with nice canal and river walks.
Hewenden Viaduct
I love viaducts and again Yorkshire has many wonderful and visually thrilling ones (see previous article.) Ribblehead is our most famous and it’s almost a crime to leave it out here, but I’ve gone for a much lesser known one, partly to encourage readers to seek it out.
Hewenden Viaduct is a stunning piece of Victorian engineering, originally built to serve the now closed Bradford to Keighley route which ran through hilly Pennine terrain. It can now be walked across and viewed from many angles on surrounding public footpaths. It curves delightfully in an S pattern; it’s a joy to be near.
Beverley from the Westwood
Finally, we reach views of my hometown where I have lived for the past 35 years. Beverley looks its best from the rising common land of the Westwood. A town guide was well justified in labelling it “one of the most enthralling views in all England”. From the vantage point of the Black Mill, you get the gorgeous prospect of the two medieval churches at either end of the town, with the red roofs of the other buildings in between.
These views have been firm favourites of mine since I first saw them 42 years ago. Back then, as a raw young teacher, I rode my motor bike over the Wolds and was stopped in my tracks by the sight of the Minster towers glistening in the autumn sun. It seemed then like the prospect of a French cathedral city such as Chartres or St Lô – and it still does today.
So there we are, my six favourites along with a few honourable mentions. Whilst your favourites may differ from mine, the shared Yorkshire connection makes them better for it!
