The County of North Yorkshire has three distinct areas. The limestone Yorkshire Dales to the west. the North Yorkshire Moors to the east and the vale of York in between the two. The Yorkshire Dales and the North Yorkshire Moors are both national parks.

The Yorkshire Dales has wide green valleys (dales) cut through the wild uplands and topped by limestone crags (scars). The fields and pastures are bounded by distinctive white dry-stone walls which criss-cross the hillsides in elaborate patterns.

Heather moors, streams winding through secluded dales and a rugged coastline. This is the North Norkshire moors.