Yorkshire In Top 10 Global "Must See" List

29 October 2013, 11:23 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Yorkshire's beaten Texas, Mallorca and Hunan in China as a "must see" destination in the new Lonely Planet Best in Travel guide.

The county's come third in a list of the very best places to visit.  

The Lonely Planet guide says:

" If the good people of Yorkshire were proud of their heritage before, the London 2012 Olympics only served to cement what they have always thought: that their county is better than and really the best of all the English counties."

"In 2014, this welcoming region of rugged moorlands, heritage homes and cosy pubs will be able to hold its head even higher when the Tour de France begins its Grand Départ from Leeds."

"Bradford has become the world's first Unesco City of Film, fashion-thirsty Leeds has cut the ribbon on an ambitious retail development at a time when malls elsewhere in the UK are stalling, a new state-of-the-art gallery in Wakefield is giving London a run for its money, and Yorkshire now has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other county outside London."

As if basking in Yorkshires glory, last year a poll revealed the North Yorkshire spa town of Harrogate was the happiest place in Britain. We’re not surprised."

Gary Verity, Chief Executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said:

"Endorsements rarely come much better than this, from a guide that has a worldwide reputation across tourism and informing visitors. This is massive for Yorkshire and our thousands of amazing tourism businesses, destinations and events."

Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2014 contributor Tom Hall said:

"It's about time that travellers wake up to the wonder that is Yorkshire. Listing the county as one of the best regions in the world for visitors in the coming year is in recognition of it being a fantastic all-rounder; with some of the most stunning scenery in the country, dynamic cities, friendly people and a burgeoning food scene."

Lonely Planet's top 10 regions

1. Sikkim, India
2. The Kimberley, Australia
3. Yorkshire, UK
4. Hokuriku, Japan
5. Texas, USA
6. Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Zambia
7. Mallorca, Spain
8. West Coast, New Zealand
9. Hunan, China
10. Ha'apai, Tonga