Howardian Hills, Protected hills in North Yorkshire, England.
Howardian Hills are protected limestone hills in North Yorkshire situated between North York Moors National Park and the Vale of York. The terrain features woodlands, valleys, and farmland with market towns like Helmsley and Malton, along with spring line villages throughout.
The area took its name from the Howard family, who were major landowners and shaped the region's development for centuries. It received official recognition as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 1987.
Traditional farm buildings made with local limestone and red tile roofs blend into the landscape alongside large country estates scattered throughout the region. This mix of structures shows how farming and land-owning families have shaped the area together.
The area offers extensive walking trails through woodlands, valleys, and farmland linking various market towns and villages together. Exploring on foot works best to see the landscape and buildings up close.
The area contains the only Jurassic limestone formations protected as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in Northern England. This geological feature makes it a notable place for those interested in rocks and natural science.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.