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Being one of England’s largest Parish churches, the breathtakingly beautiful Beverley Minster dominates Beverley’s skyline. It is one of Britain’s finest examples of medieval gothic architecture and you need to step inside to fully appreciate its impressive proportions and historic significance. Building work began here in 1220 and wasn’t completed until 1425 so three distinct architectural styles can be seen in the intricate detailing within.
To learn more about the history of the Minster and access areas normally not seen by members of the public, guided roof tours are available. Climb the 113 steps to discover fascinating facts and incredible views across Beverley and beyond.
We can’t talk about churches without also including St Mary’s on our top 10 list. Even older than Beverley Minster, St Mary’s dates back to 1120 and took almost 400 years to build.
Once inside, look up to see the remarkable ceiling of Kings painted in 1446, representing the Kings of England before that time. Adorning the ceiling of the Holy Trinity Chapel are constellations of stars and 700 intricate roof bosses depict old fables and stories. Look out for the carving of the March Hare, said to have inspired Lewis Carol’s Alice in Wonderland!
Providing one of the UK’s top race day experiences, head to Beverley Racecourse on the Westwood and place your bets on a stunning day out. Race meetings take place between April and September each year and include several themed events for families and even dogs! Of course, one of the highlights of the annual racing calendar is Ladies Day which takes place each August and is the perfect opportunity to dress to impress and enjoy a day of glitz and glamour.
Temporarily closed from 2 September 2023, due to reopen August 2024.
Located in the East Riding Treasure House, Beverley’s Edwardian Art Gallery houses temporary displays celebrating the local area, as well as exciting national touring exhibitions.
The gallery’s permanent collection mainly consists of Victorian, Edwardian and modern art, with a focus on celebrating the works of Beverley born artists Fred and Mary Elwell, who’s paintings are also on display around Beverley town centre, forming an interesting town trail (see number 7 on our list).
A varied programme of temporary exhibitions are shown in the elegant extension, where local, national and international artists are celebrated.
Enjoy a relaxing waterside stroll along the short canal which stretches from the River Hull to the heart of Beverley. It’s a nice easy walk of just under a mile with pleasant views of boat moorings along the way, including the historic barge ‘Syntan’, which is owned by the Beverley Barge Society and once carried freight along the local waterways.
On Beverley’s picturesque streets you’ll find an exciting array of independent boutique shops nestled alongside big high street names. Explore Toll Gavel which stretches from the area known as Wednesday Market, through to a bustling square known as Saturday Market. As the name implies, this is where Beverley’s weekly market appears each Saturday with local producers setting up their stalls with everything from fragrant flowers to artisan cheese and handcrafted garden wares.
A short stroll from here will take you to North Bar Within and St Mary’s Arcade and don’t forget to check out Ladygate and Dyer Lane which are full of lovely little independents. Beverley has lots of charming, cobbled streets which are home to unique and quirky small businesses so have fun exploring away from the main shopping areas.
Not far from Beverley’s train station, Flemingate offers a more modern shopping environment with familiar names occupying the space. There’s still opportunity to support smaller businesses here too though and Art and Soul stocks products from dozens of our region’s small businesses under one roof. Pick up everything from artwork to jewellery and dog accessories.
Learn more about shopping in Beverley and Saturday Market.
A great way familiarise yourself with the town and discover its history and hidden corners is by walking one of the town’s trails. Take the medieval trail to step back in time and discover 40 unique sculptures depicting the guilds and trades of medieval Beverley. The Beastly Beverley trails explore the town’s darker side or try to spot the 22 full sized paintings by local artists, Fred and Mary Elwell, which are dotted throughout the streets of Beverley.
Just a short stroll from Beverley’s town centre you’ll find acres of lush green pastures at Beverley Westwood. If you’re visiting with your dog, this is the perfect spot to let them stretch their legs, but human visitors will enjoy the wide-open spaces and pretty views here too. Grab a locally produced ice cream from the Burgess Ice Cream van which is always parked on the Westwood come rain or shine. In fact, this small family business has been serving ice cream on the Westwood since the 1920s and they’re still going strong today! Whilst tucking into your ice cream treat, greet the grazing cows which are synonymous with the area and head off to explore the small, wooded areas.
When you’re ready to stop and refuel after taking in the sights and browsing the shops, you’ll have no problem finding somewhere to eat and drink. Beverley is blessed with an abundance of inviting eateries, catering for all tastes and budgets. From homely pub grub to fine dining and everything in between, you’ll find in here in Beverley.
Enjoy a tempting selection of handcrafted gelato at Poma, fine dining dishes at Whites and The Westwood, fabulous modern Asian cuisine at Roku Asia, and traditional teatime treats at Kavanagh Tea Room.
If you love a traditional cosy pub you’ll be delighted with Beverley’s offering! You’ll find around 29 of them on the town’s historic streets and some date to before 1700. The Sun Inn, The White Horse (also known as Nellies) and The Lord Nelson are some of the oldest.
Whether you’re a family, a couple or group of friends, you’ll find endless fun in Beverley! Little ones will be bouncing for joy on a visit to Jump Inc which is packed with wall-to-wall inflatable fun, including the UK’s first double decker inflatable! If you’re looking for a challenge, put your mind to the test and work with your team to solve the puzzles within 60 minutes at Beverley Escape Room. And Beverley will take you from stage to screen too with a diverse programme of performances at East Riding Theatre and Hollywood blockbusters at Parkway Cinema in Flemingate.
Learn more about Jump Inc, Beverley Escape Room, East Riding Theatre and Parkway Cinema.
