Record numbers at Yorkshire attractions as outdoor appeal grows

OUTDOOR ATTRACTIONS enjoyed the most significant growth in visitor numbers last year, according to new figures published by the country’s tourism body.

Gardens and zoos witnessed the biggest rise in people passing through their gates last year with eight per cent more visitors, VisitEngland’s annual survey of more than 1,500 English attractions found.

Historic houses and castles reported a seven per cent increase, and country parks a four per cent rise, with the trend reflected in Yorkshire where several attractions reported higher numbers.

Fountains Abbey Estate near Ripon had 12 per cent more visitors – 414,721 in total and the gardens and house at Castle Howard, north of York, enjoyed a record 270,680 visitors, 8.4 per cent more than in 2015.

Castle Howard’s communications manager, Hannah Cooke, said: “We are keeping on pace with those numbers so far this year and have seen an increase in international visitors particularly the Chinese market.”

The Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster, celebrated a record year and with a £50m expansion plan unveiled in June, it will look to significantly increase that figure. It had 761,000 visitors last year, more than the 678,000 recorded in 2015.

The five-acre Helmsley Walled Garden also saw year-on-year growth, recording around 25,000 visitors, its marketing manager Tricia Harris said.

She too reported more foreign tourist visits, including people from the US, New Zealand and South America, and the extra funds raised through its admission charge funded two part-time therapists to help 20 people improve their mental and physical health through gardening.