Yorkshire's top eight free attractions

The seaside town is a huge draw for visitors, who love its clean, family-friendly sands. The surfing scene is booming.

The triple waterfall formation is carved out by the River Ure and descends for a mile towards Wensleydale. Particularly spectacular during wet weather.

The Leeds Dock museum's live combat displays are popular with visitors, and exhibitions range from the ancient to modern warfare.

Situated in the historic Museum Gardens, the Observatory is home to a Thomas Cooke telescope and runs regular stargazing events. The small building is managed by the York Museums Trust.

Another spectacular North Yorkshire natural formation, this time in Nidderdale near Harrogate. The balancing rocks stand nearly 30ft high on National Trust land.

A seaside resort on Yorkshire's northern boundary, it boasts eight miles of sands stretching from South Gare to Saltburn-by-the-Sea.

One of Hull's most iconic buildings, and formerly the Hull Dock Company's offices, the museum tells the fascinating story of the port city's historic relationship with the sea.

With Hull named as City of Culture for 2017, its varied Museums Quarter is expected to be a huge draw for visitors. The Hull and East Riding focuses on geology and archaeology, and displays include a woolly mammoth, an Iron Age sword and dinosaur bones discovered locally.