Sheffield Is The Perfect Base For North-East Road Trips – Whether Wensleydale, Clumber Park or Ravenscar

Britain is experiencing a renaissance when it comes to walkers enjoying the great outdoors. According to the Ramblers Association, 2022 is already shaping up to be a bumper year when it comes to stretching your legs and getting out amongst nature. Sheffield is, of course, located central to some of the greatest natural landscapes in Britain, including rolling hills, thick forest and dramatic mountainsides. One of the best ways to get there, at least for the first stop, is via a road trip – and one of the best to start with is Wensleydale.

Home of the cheese

Wensleydale is a name most synonymous with cheese, but, of course, the valley and its major town, Hawes, has a lot more to offer than just that. As The Guardian highlights, Wensleydale is a hotbed of historic activity, from Norman conquest sites to the long-lasted history of the Scropes, who wielded feudal power in the UK well into the 17th century. Come prepared for Wensleydale – like much of the rural areas of the Dales, there are many small and windy roads that are best suited for compact vehicles with a little bit of durability to get across the rockier and hillier areas. Ditch the Land Rover, as tempting as it is – you won’t be on farmland, but you will be grateful when you can quickly navigate to a spot and get hiking. Also, besides being fuel efficient and comfortable, compact SUVs have a high seating position which means you get a vast view of the road.

Closer to home

Clumber Park, sat on the outskirts of Worksop, is a bit less of a trek than it is to reach Wensleydale. As the National Trust highlights, the history of the area is phenomenal, playing host to grand gardens, the longest Lime Tree Avenue in Europe, and the remains of a grand palatial home. From Worksop and Clumber Park you can reach several other beauty spots around the area, including Budby and Robin Hood’s famous Major Oak, combining history and nature with a sprinkling of legend-linked fun.

Rugged sea and sand

A tiny planned village right on the edge of the North Moors coast, and a two hour drive from Sheffield, Ravenscar is a planned village that never came to real fruition. A few buildings dot the coastline, and the area has become more well known for the litany of scientific journals studying its Middle Jurassic geology. Originally founded on a Roman signal station in the 4th century, it rose to prominence when Alum was found in its rocks – a crucial element in refining the textiles that fuelled the industrial revolution. Today, it’s a great plce to visit, and a good centrepoint for road trips to the St Athanasius Monastery, North York Moors and North Riding Forest Park. The best accommodation is in nearby Whitby – another town that will favour travellers with smaller vehicles.

Sheffield is a great central location for some of the best outdoors and historical adventures in the country. The rugged lands of the north-east offer some in-depth history, and will never bore intrepid hikers.