Driffield

Market day brings proper life to this unassuming Yorkshire market town. Driffield might not win any beauty contests, but it knows what it's about - cattle markets, agricultural shows, and serving the farming communities scattered across the East Riding's rolling chalk wolds. Thursday is when the town centre really comes alive, with traders filling the market square and locals catching up over proper Yorkshire tea.

The surrounding countryside offers more appeal than the town itself. Barmston Sands stretches for miles along the North Sea coast, just a short drive east. It's a proper beach - wild, windswept, and largely empty except for dog walkers and the odd fossil hunter. The 158 Squadron Memorial stands as a sobering reminder of wartime sacrifices, while Barmston village pond provides a quieter spot for reflection.

St James of Compostella catches the eye with its unusual dedication - not many Yorkshire churches share a name with Spain's famous pilgrimage destination. The Millennium Stone marks more recent history, though the town's agricultural heritage runs much deeper.

Getting here is straightforward enough. The A614 cuts straight through from York, about 25 miles southwest. Hull lies roughly the same distance to the south. Marr Plantation and Tithe Plantation offer woodland walks when you've had enough of the open wolds.

Staying at one of the coastal parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough for quick trips into Driffield's weekly market bustle, yet well-positioned for beach walks and exploring this often-overlooked corner of Yorkshire. The coast here feels genuinely remote - refreshingly so.