Beverley Things to Do Tips by Orbital_ Top 5 Page for this destination

Beverley Kite Festival

Held over the May Day Holiday Weekend the Kite Festival is good wholesome fun for all the family, if I can say that without it sounding too cheesy. The focus is of course, Kites, but there's plenty of other entertainment, stalls and things to keep all ages amused for a few hours. Grab a picnic, chill out on the lush grass and be mesmerised by the aerial ballet. As long as there's good weather and a bit of a breeze it's well worth an afternoon of your time.

Address: Beverley Racecourse, Beverley, East Yorkshire

Festival of Christmas

I defy even the most cynical Christmas scrooge to get seasonal upon visiting Beverley's 'Festival of Christmas. Trust me, I'm qualified to say that as usually I'm hardly thrilled by the prospect of Christmas, but after visiting the market I feel that little bit more into the spirit of things. Held on the second Sunday of December each year the festival has stalls selling everything from traditional crafts to foodstuffs and clothes. Many of the high-street shops in the town are also open throughout the day and in this respect compliment the festival rather than compete with it. However it can be a victim of it's own success should the weather hold - cafes and restaurants are packed as are roads into the town, and parking is a veritable nightmare. So much so in fact that a 'Park & Ride' bus services operates from Beverley Racecourse to try and ease pressure on routes into the town. However all this aside, the bustle in town and the Christmas lights twinkling above you can't help but get you in the mood.

Address: Saturday Market, Beverley

Directions: Follow the crowds! Head for the Saturday Market area where it'll be standing room only...

Phone: www.eastriding.gov.uk

Market Day

The best day to visit Beverley is a Saturday – market day. In the imaginatively titled ‘Saturday Market’ area, at the top of Toll Gavel (the main shopping street), you will find just that. The market is huge and full of everything from fruit, to hats and electronics gear. The town is positively bustling on a Saturday, whatever the weather, and if some good buskers are in town it’s quite atmospheric indeed. Think a small, compact version of York with less unashamed pandering to the tourist £’s.

Address: Town centre, Beverley

Website: http://www.eastriding.gov.uk/

Church of St Mary's

Often overlooked, because the Minster does kinda’ catch your eye a bit, is the smaller but just as remarkable church of St Mary’s on the corner of North Bar Within & Hengate. Dating from 1120 (only really properly finished in 1530 would you believe), the interior is also notable for intricate wooden carving detail (such as a Rabbit said to have inspired Lewis Carroll) and a rare (in the UK) painted ceiling from the 15th centaury.

Directions: On the corner of North Bar Within & Hengate, at the top of Saturday Market.

Beverley Minster

Undeniably spectacular, the 13th centaury gothic Beverley Minster is one of the best-kept secrets in the UK. York Minster draws all the fire, but those who make it to this pleasant but bustling little market town are stunned first by the scale of the Minster; its stark, imposing vertical contrast to the rest of the surrounding land. Secondly, by the fact that even at the height of summer it’s refreshingly free of crowds. Unlike say Salisbury Cathedral where you’d be beating other tourists away with a stick (yes, even in a place of worship), unless coach tours of wrinklies are passing through you can have plenty of room and ambient atmosphere to yourself for quiet contemplation and appreciation.

Address: Beverley Minster - trust me you can't miss it...

Website: http://www.beverleyminster.co.uk/