Updated on March 12, 2023
We’re lucking to have many wonderful National Trust sites in Yorkshire. And for West Yorkshire residents, there are four spots that you don’t want to miss. Here is your guide to the National Trust places in West Yorkshire.
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National Trust in West Yorkshire
The National Trust own four incredible sites in West Yorkshire. From beautiful houses to breath-taking landscapes. Here are the National Trust places in West Yorkshire to explore.
What is the National Trust?
The full title of the National Trust is the National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty. It is a charity that supports heritage conservation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. There is an independent branch of National Trust in Scotland.
The National Trust was founded in 1895 with the mission to “promote the permanent preservation for the benefit of the Nation of lands and tenements (including buildings) of beauty or historic interest.”
Today, the National Trust is one of largest landowners in the United Kingdom. Many of their buildings and areas of land are open to the public to enjoy. And the entry fees visitors pay are invested in preserving their estate for future generations.
National Trust Houses in West Yorkshire
Grand houses are what come to mind when you think of the National Trust. There are two National Trust houses in West Yorkshire. Though both very different, each is spectacular and worth visiting.
Nostell
Nostell near Wakefield is the largest of the National Trust houses in West Yorkshire. This grand Palladian house almost never came to fruition after numerous financial challenges. But after 200 years, the house was finally completed and today visitors can enjoy the beautiful building.
As well as the house, Nostell is renowned for its beautiful gardens. You can see the kitchen garden and sample the produce in the cafe or enjoy a peaceful lakeside stroll. The grounds at Nostell are sprawling, so you could spend the whole day exploring them!
If you want to visit Nostell, read this guide to start planning your visit.
East Riddlesden Hall
When compared to Nostell, the 17th-century manor house East Riddlesden Hall is cosy but no less charming! This enchanting building has a pottered history to be unearthed as you make your way from room to room. You’ll also discover how it was saved from demolition by two local brother.
East Riddlesden Hall also has a carefully crafted garden which is beautiful during the spring and summer months. A stroll through the gardens feels like stepping into the pages of ‘The Secret Garden.’ It is quintessentially English!
If you want to discover the charm of East Riddlesden Hall, here is a complete guide to visiting.
National Trust Sites in West Yorkshire
As well as the houses, the National Trust also maintain two diverse sites in West Yorkshire. From dense woodlands to rugged moorland, here are the two National Trust Sites in West Yorkshire.
Hardcastle Crags
The woodland site of Hardcastle Crags is the ideal place for a gentle woodland stroll. With over 15 miles of footpaths in more than 400 acres of unspoiled woodland, walkers of all ages and abilities can enjoy a visit to Hardcastle Crags. It is especially popular in the autumn months as the leaves turn golden.
For the most memorable experience, make sure you climb the crags near Gibson Mill. From here, you’ll be treated to sweeping views across the valley. You can also enter the mill and enjoy a hot drink and delicious food from the cafe.
If you’re ready to explore Hardcastle Crags, discover more about visiting here.
Marsden Moor
In stark contrast to Hardcastle Crags, the rugged expanse of Marsden Moor is open and exposed. This dramatic landscape offers a diverse range of walking routes for all ability levels. You will also be treated to some breath-taking views across the moors and neighbouring Lancashire.
Marsden Moor is a popular spot for walkers. There are no facilities throughout the moor, but the village of Marsden is just a short walk away. It is the ideal place to stop for a spot of lunch after a long hike!
To see the most iconic sights at Marsden Moor, check out this popular circular walking route.
Are you a National Trust Member?
If you have a National Trust membership, it is free to park and enter all National Trust places in West Yorkshire. Being a National Trust member gives you free access to all the National Trust sites across the UK for a 12-month period.
Being a National Trust member has given me the opportunity and incentive to visit several of their incredible houses and sites throughout the UK this year.
Not sure if a National Trust membership is for you? Check out this post about whether a National Trust membership is really worth it. (You won’t believe how much money I saved!)
Here are guide to more National Trust sites throughout the UK:
- Complete Guide to National Trust in Yorkshire
- Things To Do At Dyrham Park in Gloucestershire
- Dunham Massey Christmas Light Trail
Before You Go
So, these are the four National Trust places in West Yorkshire. Which one are you planning to visit first? Let me know in the comments!
And if you love Yorkshire as much as I do, sign up for my weekly newsletter for even more Yorkshire adventures and tips!
Until our next adventure,
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Hello, I’m Hannah! I’m a writer and photographer who loves experiencing the wonders of Yorkshire. My guides will help you escape from your daily routine by showing you that you don’t have to go far to find an adventure.
I’ve never even heard of a national trust before! Thank you for pointing these out, if I’m ever in the area I’ll have to give them a visit. The trees in the Hardcastle Crags woodlands look especially lovely 🙂
The National Trust is such a great initiative! They have some wonderful buildings and sites throughout the UK. I’m very lucky to have these four right on my doorstep! Hardcastle Crags is lovely at this time of year. It is the best place to see the autumn colours!
Great recommendations for when we get to Yorkshire next. I love exploring the big houses so I think Riddlesden Hall and Nostell sound right up my street.
Thanks for reading! I hope you get an opportunity to visit soon! Both Nostell and East Riddlesden Hall a beautiful and great days out!
That is so great that so much land and properties are being preserved. East Riddlesden Hall and Hardcastle Crags look so beautiful and two that I’d want to visit and wander the grounds of. Stopping to have a drink in the mill cafe at Hardcastle sounds so quaint and fun!
They’re all such beautiful sites! East Riddlesden Hall is a charming hidden gem! And Hardcastle Crags is especially beautiful during this time of year with all the golden leaves. I hope you get an opportunity to explore them!
I think if I lived in the UK I would 100% have a National Trust Membership. It’s such a good offer and there is so much to see when the membership. I love that all these houses look straight out of Pride and Prejudice. A super post!
I agree! We were gifted our National Trust membership last year and I have no idea why we never bought one sooner! It is quite pricy but well worth it to support the work they do and to explore all these beautiful places. Thanks so much for reading!
I really appreciate the National Trust throughout the UK and all of the work they do to preserve so many treasured places. As an international visitor, I seek out these sites and know I will learn and experience a lot when I visit. This is a great guide to the National Trust sites in West Yorkshire and I will save this for future travel planning. I would especially like to visit Marsden Moor!
The National Trust do such a good job of preserving these beautiful places for us to enjoy! East Riddlesden Hall is just one of the many sites that would have been demolished if someone hadn’t bought it with the intention of gifting it to the National Trust. It would be devastating if these places were lost! I hope you get an opportunity to explore them! Marsden Moor is absolutely stunning!
The garden at East Riddlesden Hall sounds amazing! Would love to explore this area someday!
I love the gardens at East Riddlesden Hall. They were such a typical English walled garden – everything you picture when you read The Secret Garden or Peter Rabbit! I hope you get an opportunity to explore them in person!
I love the Fall color at Hardcastle Crags. What a beautiful view! You captured it well.
I didn’t love autumn until I visited Hardcastle Crags! It is such a beautiful place to admire the fall colours. The woodland walks are magical and the view from the crags is breathtaking! It’s well worth a visit!
All four of these National Trust places in West Yorkshire look lovely. I’m all about history and exploring places like this. Great guide!
Thanks! I’m so glad you love the guide! All four sites are incredible and perfect for history lovers! Thanks for reading!
I’ve done a lot of National Trust places in the last few weeks since being back in the UK, but haven’t been to any of these. Both the houses look really impressive. I’m always down for a snoop through a stately home or two.
It’s always fascinating to see how the wealthy lived, isn’t it? Nostell is very grand but East Riddlesden Hall was being used as apartments before it was bought, so it has a unique layout. It’s not as grand as Nostell but is very beautiful in its own way! I hope you get an opportunity to visit them!
What beautiful views! This is stunning. Definitely need to add this to our list. THank you for sharing! – Linzey @thefamilyfuntour
All four National Trust sites in West Yorkshire are stunning! They are such beautiful places to visit when you’re next in the area. I hope you get an opportunity to explore them in person. Thanks for reading!
How great to have such great National Trust sites in West Yorkshire. Love that there is public funding for preservation of such places. And that it covers both buildings and natural sights. I would definitely get a membership.
We’re very lucky to have these beautiful National Trust places in West Yorkshire nearby! All four sites are so unique in their own way! The National Trust is definitely a great initiative to protect these buildings for people to enjoy them.
I love the concept of National Trusts and their ability to share special places with the public. Beautiful photos! Adding to my “dream travel trips” plans!
The National Trust is such a great initiative! They own some of the most beautiful places! They are lovely sites to explore and I could visit them all again and again!
I love visiting Nation Trust Sites, there are luckily so many in the area. I’ve only been to Hardcastle Crags from your list and we loved it there. Definitely looking into visiting the others on your list too. Thanks for sharing.
You can always guarantee a great day out when you visit a National Trust site, can’t you? I love that the four we have in West Yorkshire are so diverse – they’re all really unique and different! They’re well worth a visit when you are next in the area!
Well I am ashamed to be a National Trust life member as I have only visited Nostell!! I’ll have to expand my trips to West Yorkshire when I’m home haha! These look great!
Haha! I think Nostell is the best-known National Trust site in West Yorkshire. East Riddlesden Hall is a bit of a hidden gem! All four sites are beautiful and well worth visiting. I hope you get an opportunity to experience them in person soon!
Wow, all these spots seem like they’d be great to visit! I think I’d especially like to see East Riddlesden Hall. Thanks for sharing!
All of the National Trust places in West Yorkshire are beautiful! East Riddlesden Hall is a bit of a hidden gem. It’s a really pretty building and the gardens are lovely. Thanks for reading!
I’d like to see all four of the National Trust sites in West Yorkshire, but probably Hardcastle Crags and Marsden Moor first!
All four sites are so stunning! Hardcastle Crags is especially beautiful this time of year. It is the perfect place for an autumnal woodland walk in the golden leaves!
Thanks for sharing this neat article about National Trust sites is West Yorkshire. I bet the inside of those buildings is unique!
The insides of Nostell and East Riddlesden Hall are both beautiful! East Riddlesden Hall has had quite a bit of rework over the years, so it is a unique layout inside. They are both incredibly beautiful!
Yorkshire seems so stunning! I’d love to visit the Moors – especially after reading about then from Arthur Conan Doyle.
Yorkshire is a really beautiful area. I’m so lucky to have these National Trust sites on my doorstep! I hope you get an opportunity to visit!
These National Trust properties sound wonderful and would be great to visit next time I’m in Yorkshire! Thanks so much for sharing.
These National Trust places in West Yorkshire are beautiful! I love that they are all so unique and difference from one another. I hope you get an opportunity to visit! Thanks for reading!
Thanks for sharing this neat article about National Trust sites is West Yorkshire. I bet the inside of those buildings is unique!
The buildings are stunning inside and out! I love visiting National Trust houses, you can be sure they will be incredible!
These National Trusts are each so beautiful and unique. I’d love to visit when I finally make it to West Yorkshire. The landscapes are really unbelievable!
I love that each National Trust site is so unique and has its own character! I’m lucky to have these beautiful ones close by! I hope you get an opportunity to visit them!