East Riding of Yorkshire, or East Yorkshire, is a ceremonial county blessed with dramatic coastline and rolling chalk hills. Although predominantly rural, it's becoming increasingly known as a hotspot for culture. Hull was named as the UK's City of Culture 2017.
Where is the East Riding of Yorkshire?
The East Riding of Yorkshire sits next to the North Sea and borders North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
Within its boundaries are the Yorkshire Wolds, but it's also an easy drive to the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, North Riding Forest Park and the North York Moors National Park.
The biggest city in East Riding of Yorkshire is Hull, while other main market towns include Beverley, Driffield, Goole, Market Weighton and Pocklington. The charming city of York is also nearby, with its timeless beauty and architectural marvels.
Discover more about living in York
Prices make a move to the area even more appealing. The average house price is just £167,000, although sought-after towns such as Beverley are closer to the £230,000 mark (check the latest figures).
Learn more about Yorkshire by reading our informative guides on North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.
Living in the East Riding of Yorkshire: what to expect
The East Riding of Yorkshire has a strong rural and seaside character. Its coastline has several golden-sand beaches and traditional seaside towns with piers, promenades and fish and chip shops.
Towns tend to be small and traditional with period architecture, often with plenty of boutiques, cafés and historical coaching inns. Hull's Old Town also still has its cobbled streets, but redevelopment has filled the rest of the city with new apartment blocks, museums and restaurants.
Beyond the towns is rolling countryside marked by long-distance walking and cycling routes. Locals can also visit the Yorkshire Nature Triangle, the go-to location for spotting wildlife.
Top places to start your property search
Beverley: This is a popular town among house-hunters thanks to its small-town charm, greenery and quaint Georgian architecture. The Molescroft area and the houses in and around Minster tend to be popular locations thanks to their substantial family homes.
However, the best large character properties are found on New Walk and Norfolk Street, both of which boast Grade II-listed properties with up to six bedrooms.
Bridlington: Looking for a home by the sea? Try Bridlington for its golden beaches, harbour and 'old town' feel. It offers plenty of Georgian houses – check out Belle Vue for large eight-bedroom examples.
If you'd prefer a contemporary apartment, take a look at the stylish new apartment blocks close to the beach. South Marine Drive, for instance, has luxurious three-bedroom flats positioned within walking distance of the sea.
Driffield: This town is considered to be the 'Capital of the Yorkshire Wolds'. Houses for sale in Driffield include late Victorian villas with gabled roofs on streets such as St John’s Road and Beverley Road.
Humbler but sturdy Victorian terraces with three bedrooms are available on Bridge Street, Victoria Road and Kings Mill Road. The latter has a good selection of comfortable late-20th-century bungalows and semis too.
Goole: This is a favoured location among commuters thanks to its proximity to the motorways. Close to the town centre are plenty of two- to three-bedroom terraces built from the late Victorian period up to the 1950s.
If you're a commuter, it's also worth looking at the Howden and Hook areas. They are popular with families thanks to their good schools and are close to the M62. Snaith and Gilberdyke are also desirable and have comfortable family homes.
Hull: Once given little attention by homebuyers, Hull – the City of Culture for 2017 – is now an up-and-coming waterside city. One of the most affluent areas is west Hull with its leafy Avenues lined with proud Victorian and Edwardian properties.
Hidden gems also appear occasionally on the market – keep a look-out for houses for sale on Princes Street, which has a picturesque row of candy-coloured Georgian terraces.
For flats in period homes, search for converted properties on roads such as Bowlalley Lane, Dock Street and George Street. Apartments in modern blocks are also available in Queens Court or in the sought-after Freedom Quay development.
Withernsea: Withernsea is another traditional coastal town with a family-friendly beach.
Victorian four-bedroom terraces line roads such as Park Avenue and Arthur Street, but the most desirable are found along the waterfront. Take a look at the elegant Victorian and Edwardian terraces with bay windows on the North Promenade for examples.
Best ways to get around the East Riding of Yorkshire
By rail: The main station is Hull Paragon. From here residents can travel to Bridlington, Doncaster, Leeds, London King's Cross (via Selby), Manchester Piccadilly, Sheffield, Scarborough and York.
Leeds and York can be reached in about an hour whereas a journey to London takes two hours and 30 minutes.
By car: The county possesses only a small part of the M62, which connects Hull with Leeds and the rest of western Yorkshire. The motorway can be reached by taking the A63 out of the city.
Goole is particularly well placed for the M62 but residents here can also easily reach the M18. It starts south of Goole and then continues south west until it links up with the M1.
Major A-roads include the A614, which starts at Howden and ends at Bridlington in the north east. Bridlington can also be reached by following the A165 from Hull.
By air: The closest airport is Humberside Airport, which is a 30-minute drive from Hull. From here you can catch both domestic and European flights on airlines such as Flybe.
Best things to do in the East Riding of Yorkshire
History: One of East Riding of Yorkshire's most striking historical structures is the Beverley Minster. Its construction began in 1220 and continued for another 200 years. Guided tours to the roof are available to see the restored treadmill crane that helped to lift the loads needed to build the church.
One of the top things to do in Hull is a visit to Wilberforce House. This was the birthplace of politician William Wilberforce, who campaigned against the slave trade. The museum's exhibits chart his life as well as the history of the slave trade and its eventual abolition.
Cultural: East Riding Theatre is a professional venue hosted in a converted church in Beverley. Residents can enjoy a mixed programme of theatre, music and entertainment.
Pioneering drama can be experienced at Hull’s Truck Theatre. The in-house company produce several shows every year as well as giving space to travelling contemporary theatre companies. For big touring shows, head to Hull New Theatre, which showcases opera, ballet and drama productions.
Galleries are also easily found in Hull. Ferens Art Gallery's permanent exhibitions include works from Old Masters as well as acclaimed artists such as Stanley Spencer and David Hockney. For more cutting-edge galleries, wander around the Fruit Market area and stop by Studio Eleven and the Kingston Art Group.
Outdoors: The East Yorkshire coast comprises sandy beaches for family seaside trips as well as dramatic cliffs and striking features such as Spurn Head. Spurn Head is a 3.5-mile finger that points into the estuary of the River Humber. Its panoramic views and bird colonies have made it a favourite among walkers.
The rolling chalky countryside of the Yorkshire Wolds stretches from Filey in the north to Humber Bridge. Long-distance walkers can explore the area in full by following the Yorkshire Wolds Way, which runs for 79 miles. Alternatively, you can walk part or all of the circular Chalkland Way, which starts and ends in Pocklington.
Shopping: Upmarket shopping is available in Beverley's historic centre. The Georgian Quarter is home to most of the eclectic boutiques, including fashion stores, jewellers and gift shops. For antiques, shoppers go to the St Crispin Antiques & Collectors Centre.
High Street staples are most easily found in Hull. The city boasts three shopping centres – Prospect Centre, Princes Quay and St Stephens – but independent shops can also be found on Savile Street and George Street.
Food and drink: East Yorkshire pubs specialise in local brews. For a taster, visit the Wellington Inn in Lund, which serves cask ale and guest ales from micro breweries.
Restaurants in the East Riding of Yorkshire include the Pipe and Glass in Beverley, a Michelin-starred restaurant. Visitors can enjoy a pint of ale by an open fire in its bar or take a seat in the restaurant, which serves seasonal dishes based on ingredients from its own garden.
Restaurants in Beverley also include more eclectic eateries such as Ogino. The husband-and-wife team serve authentic Japanese cuisine, including sushi, fresh-cooked fish, shellfish and meat.
Hidden in the East Riding of Yorkshire
Not only did Goole's docks feature briefly in the film 'The Dambusters', but they were also the original testing place of the actual Bouncing Bomb.
5 reasons to live in the East Riding of Yorkshire
Access to the Yorkshire Wolds and nearby Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Predominantly rural and coastal living
Hull was named as UK’s City of Culture 2017
Plenty of historical sites
Handsome period properties and new-build homes
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