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Tim Barber's
Real Yorkshire Blog
Bringing "God's own county" to life
As the owner of Real Yorkshire Tours, I am always out and about in "God's own county" showing visitors the history, heritage & culture of the area. With this Real Yorkshire blog I hope to share some of this information and bring to life the best of Yorkshire.





Hanging Stones Walk – stunning Andrew Goldsworthy art installations hidden in barns across Northdale in the North York Moors
Hanging Stones Walk – stunning Andrew Goldsworthy art installations hidden in barns across Northdale in the North York Moors
timbarber
2 days ago4 min read


A short walk from Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey
We found the Helmsley Castle to Rievaulx walk on the English Heritage website at a distance of 3 miles one way. So guessed if we we’re to set off at a good yomp we could be there and back in just over a couple of hours.
timbarber
5 days ago3 min read


Jim Moir Exhibition “Neo Fauna” at Cartwright Hall – see what Vic Reeves did after comedy - check it out before 31 August 2026!
Hot on the heels of the City of Culture and the 2026 Turner Prize being held in Bradford, Cartwright Hall in Lister Park is now hosting a new exhibition of art by Jim Moir – the artist formerly known as the comedian Vic Reeves.
timbarber
Jun 272 min read


Brompton’s Rare Anglo-Scandinavian Hogback Stones
Recently, I did a tour for an American couple where the husband Chris had researched his ancestry back to Brompton near Northallerton. He contacted me to ask if I could collect them in York, take them around the historic city on the morning then show them a bit of the surrounding area before dropping them in Brompton where they had booked a room overnight in the local pub. As part of his research he had found that one of his great, great, grandfather had been Christened at th
timbarber
Jun 104 min read


The Highland Laddie – visiting the pub named as Britain’s best!
I started to hear reports that they served great food, then in October 2025 the Highland Laddie took the number one spot in the 100 Best Pubs listing published by The Good Food Guide.
timbarber
Jun 24 min read


Hoffman Lime Kiln – England’s best preserved lime kiln just outside Settle
But, The Hoffman Lime Kiln just outside Settle between Langliffe and Stainforth is on a completely different scale and size, whilst being a great location to explore especially going inside the large lime kiln itself. England’s best preserved lime kiln just outside Settle
timbarber
Jun 26 min read


How the Yorkshire institution that is Betty’s came about…
Most people up North are familiar with the Yorkshire institution which is Betty’s Café & Tearoom, with their traditional posh afternoon teas, immaculate silver service, fat rascals and amazing cakes! Now with café’s at 5 locations around the region I thought I would shed some light on the story behind the brand.
timbarber
May 283 min read


The story behind Carperby Market Cross
As you drive across the Yorkshire Dales or other areas of Yorkshire you often come across standing crosses outside church yards, on village greens, along ancient routeways or in market squares. These free standing upright stone structures were mostly erected during the medieval period up to the 1500’s, although many have been repaired or replaced more recently.
timbarber
May 163 min read


Bavette – a wonderful authentic French restaurant in Horsforth
It’s not often a restaurant in Leeds gets reviewed in the Sunday Times and receives a 5 star review, let alone a little neighbourhood bistro in an out of town suburb. But quite recently Camilla Long from the publication visited with her husband on a stop over as she headed further up North and gave Bavette a glowing review!
timbarber
May 34 min read
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