Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal
Vast medieval ruins sit within an extraordinary designed landscape of parkland and water gardens. This is one of the largest and most impressive historic sites on the route.
Private driven tour from York
Yorkshire Icons
The Route
York
→
Fountains Abbey
→
Masham
→
Brimham Rocks
→
Knaresborough
→
York
An eight-hour private Yorkshire day bringing together four completely different places: Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Masham, Brimham Rocks and Knaresborough.
The big Yorkshire day out
Abbey ruins, a market town, strange rocks and riverside views.
Yorkshire Icons is for guests who want to see much more of Yorkshire without hiring a car, joining a coach or spending the day working out train times.
Travel from York on a route built around four completely different sides of the county: the ruins and designed landscape of Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, the market town of Masham, the extraordinary formations at Brimham Rocks and the riverside scenery of Knaresborough.
There is time for lunch, photographs and comfort stops rather than treating every destination as a quick photo opportunity.
The tour costs £385 for your whole private group of up to four guests — not £385 per person.
What you will see
Four Yorkshire icons. Four completely different places.
Monumental history, a living market town, an extraordinary natural landscape and one of Yorkshire’s classic riverside views.
Masham
A proper Yorkshire market town and the natural place to stop for lunch, wander around the square and explore a little at your own pace.
Brimham Rocks
Giant balancing rocks and strange natural shapes create a landscape unlike anywhere else on the day, surrounded by expansive Nidderdale scenery.
Knaresborough
Finish with the River Nidd, castle views, historic streets and the famous railway viaduct that has become one of Yorkshire’s most recognisable views.
One day. A lot of Yorkshire.
The journey between the stops is part of the tour.
Yorkshire Icons is not simply four attractions connected by motorway. The route takes you through changing countryside, market-town Yorkshire and Nidderdale landscapes, with a private vehicle giving the day room to adapt when something is worth stopping for.
Why Yorkshire Icons?
For visitors who want more than one version of Yorkshire.
Every stop feels different
Abbey ruins, a market square, an unusual natural landscape and a riverside town give the day far more variety than staying within one part of Yorkshire.
The day belongs to your group
No coach party and no strangers joining the vehicle. The tour is exclusively for your own group of up to four guests.
Yorkshire without the transport headache
Collection and return in York means you can concentrate on the places themselves rather than coordinating trains, buses, parking and driving.
Common questions
Before you book.
How much is the Yorkshire Icons tour?
Yorkshire Icons costs £385 for the whole private tour, not per person, for up to four guests.
How long is the tour?
Yorkshire Icons lasts approximately eight hours from York.
Where does the tour go?
The standard route includes Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal, Masham, Brimham Rocks and Knaresborough before returning to York.
Is Fountains Abbey admission included?
No. Fountains Abbey is a paid National Trust site and admission is optional. Attraction admission, parking charges, food and drink are not included unless agreed separately.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. Your vehicle and driver-guide are exclusively for your own group of up to four guests. No other passengers join your tour.
Is there time for lunch?
Yes. Masham is designed to provide a more relaxed part of the day with time for lunch, the market square and independent exploration.
Where does the tour start?
York area pick up is included in the price. Just let us know where you would like to be collected.
Book Yorkshire Icons
Four places. One proper Yorkshire day.
£385 Per private group · Up to 4 guestsAn eight-hour private driven tour from York through some of Yorkshire’s most distinctive landscapes and historic places. Check availability below or ask Highwayman Tours before booking.
keswebster@highwaymantours.com · +44 7345 588905 · Open 10AM–Midnight
Highwayman Tours Journal
Planning a bigger Yorkshire day from York?
More useful reading about Fountains Abbey, day trips from York and exploring Yorkshire privately without needing to hire a car.
York to Fountains Abbey: Transport & Tour Options
Practical advice for reaching Fountains Abbey from York, including driving, public transport and private tour options.
Read the guide →Best Day Trips From York Without a Car
Discover some of the best places to explore beyond York without worrying about car hire or complicated transport.
Explore the guide →Private Yorkshire Tours From York: What to Expect
Find out how a private Yorkshire day works, how flexible the itinerary can be and whether this style of tour suits you.
Read the full guide →