Home to 5.3 million brilliant souls, Yorkshire is known as God’s own country. It’s been home to the likes of Alan Bennett, the Brownlee brothers, Sir Patrick Stewart and Dame Judi Dench. As well as this, Yorkshire has two UNESCO World Heritage sites, Studley Royal (which includes the ruin of Fountains Abbey) and Saltaire Village.
For those who aren’t lucky enough to be born, bred or living in this illustrious part of the world, why should you live and work in Yorkshire?
We look at just 10 of the reasons you should join us.
Culture
There’s a bit more to Yorkshire than flat caps and Yorkshire puddings.
This diverse county has established itself as a cultural hotspot and has been home to some of the world’s finest literary and artistic talents. Works by the likes of Barbra Hepworth and David Hockney, as well as others, can be seen in many galleries across Yorkshire.
If music is more your thing, the county has the Fly DSA Arena in Sheffield, the First Direct Arena in Leeds and Hull’s Bonus Arena, all of which attract some of the biggest artists in the world. There are also smaller venues such as The Sheffield Leadmill and the O2 Academy in Leeds that consistently attract top bands and musicians.
There’s all of that, and we haven’t even touched on the likes of The Northern Ballet, which has its base in Leeds, and the fact that Hull was named the UK City of Culture in 2017.
Coastline
Stretching for 45 miles, the Yorkshire coastline is something to behold. Surfing your way of unwinding and enjoying yourself? Head towards the coast and discover Cayton Bay.
The coastline from Bridlington Whitby is rugged and breathtakingly beautiful and there are plenty of seaside towns to explore. While you’re there, stop off for some fish and chips. You can thank us later for that tip!
Countryside
Known around the world for its stunning vistas, Yorkshire boasts three areas of outstanding natural beauty: Nidderdale, the Forest of Bowland and the Howardian Hills. Yorkshire is home to some of the UK’s finest countryside that’s just waiting for you to discover. Perhaps the most loved landscape is the Yorkshire Dales. Covering 1,800 sq km, the Dales have some of the most amazing landscape that the UK has to offer. And if the active lifestyle is for you, try tackling the Yorkshire Three Peaks challenge: 26 miles and over 1,500 metres of climbing in under 12 hours.
Cities
Yes, Yorkshire does amazing countryside in a way that very few places can. It’s also home to Hull, Sheffield, York and Leeds, the UK’s third largest city and the biggest financial centre outside of London. York regularly tops nationwide ‘best places to live’ guides, and all four cities have much to offer.
With museums and galleries, great places to eat and drink, festivals, shopping aplenty and all the entertainment you could want, Yorkshire cities don’t lag behind. They are leading the way. So if city life floats your boat, you’ll be spoilt for choice with the region’s culture, restaurants, bars, shopping and nightlife.
Food
With five Michelin starred restaurants, the rhubarb triangle as well as the world-renowned Wensleydale cheese, there’s lots for foodies to get their teeth into in Yorkshire. The York Food Festival is a well-established event that takes over the many of the restaurants and streets of York every September. The festival attracts chefs and producers from across the region and further afield for 10 days of demonstrations and general foodie goodness.
Yorkshire has a strong tradition of producing great food. This continues today with producers such as Bluebird Bakery, the world famous Henderson’s Relish (added to Wensleydale Rarebit makes a great Yorkshire treat) and Northern Bloc ice cream.
Drink
With over 20 breweries, Yorkshire is producing some fine brews. You’ll find bigger breweries such as Black Sheep alongside smaller operations such as Brew York here, all offering their individual take on fine Yorkshire ales.
If beer isn’t your tipple of choice, then Heart of Yorkshire vineyard at Nun Monkton, about 20 minutes from York, may be more to your taste. There’s also a fine array of gin being distilled in the region by the likes of York Gin, Rare Bird, Masons and more.
Family activities
Quality time away from the office is very important and Yorkshire certainly isn’t short of things to do with the whole family!
For younger ones, and maybe those not so young, there’s the enchanted Forbidden Corner. Filled with a unique labyrinth of tunnels and follies, this is a brilliant place to spending the day exploring. If you want to get up close and personal with animals, Canon Hall Farm is an award-winning working farm and attraction set in the foothills of the Pennines. You and your little ones can meet the animals, play on the adventure playgrounds and buy tasty treats to take home from the farm shop.
Maybe one for the colder months, Eureka! is a museum aimed squarely at children and encourages them to learn as they play. Simply put, this is a great fun day out!
Sport
Like your football? Sheffield has the oldest football club in the country in Sheffield Wednesday. If you’re not an Owl, maybe the blades take your fancy? Sheffield United currently ply their trade in the Premier League after gaining promotion in the 2018/19 season. Along with Leeds United, there are also Rotherham United, Huddersfield Town, Middlesbrough FC Hull City, Doncaster Rovers, Bradford City, Barnsley FC and York City all playing in Yorkshire.
If rugby is more your thing then Yorkshire is the home of Rugby League. Leeds Rhinos are one of the most successful teams of the last decade or more, with the likes of Hull FC, Bradford Bulls, York City Knights and many more also close by.
Now heading into its 5th year, the Tour de Yorkshire sees some of the world finest cyclists’ race around the roads of Yorkshire. Founded as a legacy event to the Tour de France Grande Depart, which the county hosted in 2014, the four-day event brings communities together as they decorate the villages that the riders pass through.
Want to spread your sporting wings, head to Sheffield to take in a game of ice hockey. The Sheffield Steelers play their home games at the Fly SDA arena and are one of the biggest teams in the country.
History
With a landscape that’s littered with beautiful castles and churches; a population boasting Romans, Angles and Vikings; relics of the prehistoric era, the War of the Roses, the Industrial Revolution and architecture that dates back to the Romans, it’s fair to say that Yorkshire has a lot of history to explore.
Take a trip to Fountains Abbey, the Jorvik Viking Centre in York or York Minster and start unlocking the secrets to the county’s past.
Tea
This wouldn’t be a blog about Yorkshire if we didn’t mention one of the county’s finest exports. Tea is something that’s taken seriously around these parts. It’s seen as much more than a drink, it’s a way of life.
Yorkshire has some great options to choose from in Yorkshire Tea, possibly the most celebrated brand, as well as Tetleys. Just don’t add the milk before you’ve added water!
Now you’ve heard more about working for Secerna, go to our careers page and find out how to start your career at our York office.