There’s tons to see and do in Leeds (see our Visit Leeds by Train page). But if you fancy venturing a bit further afield, see our pick of destinations that you can get to by train from Leeds for a short day trip.

From quiet walks to scenic countryside, historic buildings, culture, restaurants and shopping, you’re bound to find something to enjoy.

You can plan your train journey here, and don’t forget if you have a Railcard you can get 1/3 off your rail fares. If you require additional support when travelling, the Passenger Assist service can help you.

Day trips from Leeds in 1 to 2 hours

Grimsby

It’s lovely just to wander along the seafront of this fishing port on the east coast of Lincolnshire, but if you want to find out more about the town’s history, visit the award-winning Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre(external link, opens in a new tab) to be transported back to the 1950s, when the port was at its busiest.

Grimsby Minster(external link, opens in a new tab) has a redeveloped courtyard with permanent artworks on display while The Time Trap Museum(external link, opens in a new tab) offers tours of a former police cells.

Nearest station: Grimsby Town

Sheffield

Once world famous for its steel production, this vibrant South Yorkshire city has plenty of things to do and see. Visit Sheffield Botanical Gardens(external link, opens in a new tab), which has 18 different gardens linked by twisting pathways or paddleboard on the city’s waterways with DC Outdoors(external link, opens in a new tab).

You can explore the city’s history either at the Cholera Monument(external link, opens in a new tab) – visible across the city, it is a memorial to the people who died during the 1832 cholera outbreak – or at the Kelham Island Museum(external link, opens in a new tab) which shows what it was like to live and work in Sheffield during the Industrial Revolution.

• Read more about Sheffield on our Visit Sheffield by Train page

Nearest station: Sheffield

Hull

Officially ‘Kingston upon Hull’, but invariably shortened to ‘Hull’, this charming port city sits on the north bank of the Humber Estuary.

Marvel at the Humber Bridge(external link, opens in a new tab), an extraordinary feat of modern engineering that was officially opened back in 1981 and that now welcomes over 30,000 crossings a day (fun fact: there is enough wire in the bridge to go around the Moon more than 6 times) and visit The Deep(external link, opens in a new tab). This education and conservation charity makes its own salt water and really cares about the welfare of its animals: its mantra is, ‘For the oceans, for their future.’

Nearest station: Hull

Horton-in-Ribblesdale for the Yorkshire Dales

The train journey from Leeds to Horton-in Ribblesdale offers incredible views. Once there, experienced hikers can access the famous Three Peaks(external link, opens in a new tab) of Pen-y-Ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside, which are all in the Yorkshire Dales National Park(external link, opens in a new tab). It is also the perfect place for dark skies and stargazing.

If the circular 24-mile walk between the peaks sounds too arduous, wander along a small section of the 268-mile Pennine Way(external link, opens in a new tab) instead.

Nearest station: Horton-in-Ribblesdale

Scarborough

This seaside town, the largest on the Yorkshire coast, is all about long walks on gorgeous sandy beaches. Take the coastal path to Filey Beach(external link, opens in a new tab), 9 miles south of Scarborough, to experience one of the best beaches in the UK.

For a more relaxed day out, marvel at the whitewashed Vincent’s Pier & Scarborough Lighthouse(external link, opens in a new tab) and have fun at Luna Park(external link, opens in a new tab), which has old-fashioned favourites from dodgems to carousels.

Nearest station: Scarborough