Driffield

About

Known as the Capital of the Wolds, Driffield is a thriving market town and annually holds the largest Agricultural show in Britain. The 500 year old tower of All Saint's Church can be seen from miles around, like a beacon guiding visitors into the town, but it was the opening of the Driffield Canal which put the town firmly on the map in the 19th century.

Today, the canal remains a focal point for Driffield. The Riverhead, with its converted warehouses and newly restored town lock, is a very popular and photogenic spot, used for leisure boats and sailings.

As well as a thriving weekly market, held every Thursday, the town holds regular antique auctions and has plenty of interesting shops in its handsome Victorian buildings and side streets. Among its historic inns and restaurants, discover the spooky story at the Spreadeagle on Exchange Street, which once belonged to Driffield`s so-called witch, Susannah Goor. Driffield`s canal and its three becks (streams) characterise the town and form the basis of some lovely walks, described in the 'Town Walks Guide', to popular fishing and birdwatching spots, and out into the surrounding Wolds countryside.

Nearby are two of East Yorkshire's finest country houses. Burton Agnes is a magnificent Elizabethan house filled with treasures, and in the lovely village of Sledmere is Sledmere House, home of the Sykes family, who have played a major part in maintaining and restoring churches and villages throughout the East Riding. The House has many interesting features, especially the Turkish Room, the 100ft long library and the Capability Brown gardens. Deer roam in the grounds, a lovely place to take a picnic.

You can now Walk the Yorkshire Wolds with our new Walk the Wolds pack. Explore the peaceful landscapes of the Yorkshire Wolds with the new pack of walks and enjoy 15 circular walks through the rolling hills and picturesque villages.

The Walk the Wolds pack consists of a pack of laminated cards with 15 circular walks and information about the Wold's villages. They have been specifically designed to accompany you on your walks with maps, written directions and interesting facts to hand. Available from Bridlington and Beverley Tourist Information Centres.