I wish I could go with you! My ancestors came from East Riding and West Riding. I would love to go sight seeing.

I lived in Sheffield for 6 years and took a couple of daytrips on the train to York, so I can't help you with accommodations. It's lovely and York Minster is awesome.

I love Yorkshire and the people. Best accent in the UK, once you get used to it. Although Sheffield was big and gritty in places, the surrounding area and countryside is really lovely.

I spent a few days in York several years ago while on my way to Edinburgh. I enjoyed York, found the minster and other historic areas very interesting. I didn't explore the surrounding countryside so I have no valid opinion to share on that. I think spending a week in York, itself, might be overkill but there may be other sites in the vicinity that I didn't have a chance to enjoy.

Thanks for the replies thus far! I would love to see York Minster. I've been perusing the National Rail website, and it looks like we could easily base ourselves in York and see these places by train: Scarborough, Knaresborough, Harrogate, Skipton, Ilkley. The longest journey would be just over 2 hours, round-trip, which isn't bad at all. Here's a view of Ilkley. Isn't it lovely!

Linelle - I'll take a look at Sheffield, but the "big and gritty" description holds no appeal. We love the more charming and picturesque areas, but realize that they are largely found in the countryside villages, and one usually needs a car to visit. I don't care if I never drive again in the UK, thus our need to base ourselves in a larger town/city with adequate rail service. Looks like York would fit the bill in that regard.

Imhappy - I wish you could come along! My mother and I would still like to see the tiny little hamlet from which our forebears hailed - Barton in the Beans in Leicestershire. Logistically it's just never been feasible though.

I've been to York and it is a lovely town, although I didn't spend any considerable time there. DH was on assignment in Leeds (and Newcastle) and York is well connected to the surrounding countryside, though many routings go through those major cities. You might add explorations into the Yorkshire Dales to your list, as well, since you love the outdoors and small villages.

And wow, the british Indian food there is all fantastic.

We've been to York several times -- it is a wonderful small city. Definitely stay within the city walls. On our first trip, we stayed at a hotel (Best Western, maybe?) facing the Minster -- prime location! Other times we've stayed at guest houses or smaller hotels or with friends.

York is extremely walkable and you should definitely walk the old city walls -- I think they are Roman. Take a guided tour of the Minster. Also, there are several evening "ghost tours" which take you into less-known areas and fill you in on some of the history. The ghost stories can be a little cheesy, but the rest makes up for that.

Fountains Abbey is not too far, as I recall, and absolutely stunning. You may be able to find a day excursion to it. Nearby, Harrogate is a traditional spa town, nice for rambling around. Skipton Castle is worth a visit -- not the largest by any means, but very charming and un-kitsched up.

There is so much to see nearby, it depends on what your interests are. Things are surprisingly close together in England -- yet it takes a surprisingly long time to get from one to the other!

I visited Yorkshire about 25 years ago but did not go to York. I stayed at The Traddock in Austwick, a village near the town of Settle for 5 days and enjoyed it very much. Convenient to many walking paths, and some lovely town names: Giggleswick comes to mind!

I'm not a traveler and therefore not familar with the term self catering accomodations, is the like a hostil?

I saw a news story the other night about AirBnB, which is international and seems really popular. Not for everyone I guess but they did have some cool unique accomdations that's for sure.

Self catering means the rental provides equipment so you can cook your own food.

We're in England and visited York on holiday a few years ago, I agree some of the local place names are great - 'Fryup' springs to mind, lol!

If you go, I would highly recommend a visit to Castle Howard - not an actual castle, but the stately home that featured in both the 1980s British TV series and more recent film of the Evelyn Waugh book Brideshead Revisited :)

Thanks so much for the thoughts/recommendations! DH and I talked about this over the weekend, and he's not crazy about me going off to England - just me and mum - and neither is my father. Although we've made numerous trips across the pond together over the past few decades, now that she's older (and I'm no spring chicken), the men in our lives both have much more ambivalent feelings about us traveling so far from home than ever before. Part of me wishes they'd just "get over it", but the bigger part of me understands that these trips affect them and take a toll on them as they're home, waiting (and worrying) until we return. I get that.

So ... DH has said he will go with us on our next trip to England, although having "a man in the mix" would very much change the dynamic of a mother/daughter trip, I'm afraid. Still - it's something we can consider. (My father worked for many years in England and Germany and has no desire to travel overseas ever again.)

It also occurred to me that my mother and I could retain the excitement of our "adventures" together - just the two of us - within the continental U.S. To that end, I'm going to start another thread and ask for recommendations on where to go. She and I have talked for some time about visiting New England - a part of the country neither of us has ever seen.

Okay, there are plenty of us here from New England who will be happy to advise you. My prime nugget: Unless you like the snow and cold, come here after May 1 (and even that can be iffy) and before November 1 (and even that can be iffy, too). Be aware that October is prime time in many areas because of the fall color, and hotel reservations can be hard to come by.

OK. New England is good, too. I had ancestors all over the place there. "Everyone" lived in N.Y., Maryland, Vermont, N.H., and farther north.

Tell DH that the last time I was in York, I saw many middle-aged couples at tea in the shops surrounded by shopping bags. Husbands were clearly brought along as pack animals to tote all the purchases. Does DH want to be that guy? If not maybe he should let you and your mother travel alone! ; )

Last time I was in that part of the country (on my way to Edinburgh) I realized I couldn't understand English. The further north I got, the less I understood. By the time I got to New Castle, I needed a translator.

Not helpful but thought you should know :)