ith a wealth of visitor attractions on our doorstep, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding where to go for a day out. The revamped, updated The Hidden Places Of Yorkshire offers bite-sized chunks of essential information about every tourist attraction you can think of in Yorkshire, with lesser-known gems thrown in too.

From Sutton-Under-Whitestonecliff – the longest place name in England, according to the guide – to Dunford Bridge near Barnsley, which has a railway tunnel “twice as long as any other in the world” when it opened in 1852, the book offers an insight into every corner of the county and its places of interest.

Whether you’re a history buff soaking up Yorkshire’s industrial past, a foodie sampling the real ale and pies in its varied inns and eateries, a nature-lover trekking across cliff-top grasslands or rocky shores, or a culture vulture wandering around a sculpture park or heritage trail, this is a valuable companion for both locals and visitors.

This handy new guide explores places of interest in a concise style, split into chapters covering different areas, from the North York Moors, Heritage Coast and the Vale of Pickering to South Yorkshire. It contains a wealth of information about the history, countryside, cities, town and villages of the county, and features some of the secluded, little-known visitor attractions.

Specific places of interest, including Bolling Hall and Haworth’s Bronte Parsonage, are featured in a chapter at the end of the guide providing details of historic houses, museums and gardens, as well as pubs, teashops, cafes, restaurants and places to stay.

These include the Old School Tea Room in Hebden near Skipton, housed in a Victorian school; Korks Wine Bar and Brasserie in Otley, where you can enjoy live jazz and blues while you tuck into your slow-cooked belly pork with butternut squash puree; and, a particular favourite of mine, the Alma Inn and Fresco Italian restaurant at Cotton Stones near Sowerby Bridge.

What I like about the book is that as well as featuring the bigger tourist attractions, there are off-the-beaten track gems. For every Harewood House and Burton Constable Hall, there’s a Ye Olde Chymist Shoppe and Lavender Rooms in Knaresborough, where you can find fine Belgian chocolates, jams and preserves and an array of lavender-based products; or a Penny’s Pantry in Slaithwaite, where hot lunchtime specials include liver and onions with a red wine gravy or Yorkshire Blue quiche.

There’s the Museum of Reed Organs and Harmoniums occupying part of what used to be the Saltaire Club and Institute, the Skipwith nature reserve near Selby, the “oldest house in Britain”, an 8500BC structure lying in waterlogged soil in Seamer, and the delightfully-named Fancy That tea room at Masham.

The West Yorkshire chapter pays tribute to its industrial heritage – among the places mentioned are the National Coal Mining Museum at Overton and the World Heritage Site model village at Saltaire – its stately homes and country houses – from Oakwell Hall in Birstall to the graceful Queen Anne pile of Bramham Park – and world-class museums, galleries and sculpture parks celebrating the likes of Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Bradford’s own David Hockney.

Less obvious attractions include the Gillette Rugby League Heritage Centre in Huddersfield, the Pork Pie Festival at Ripponden, the World Dock Pudding Championships at Mytholmroyd and the Kirklees Light Railway at Clayton West.

With lovely photographs, clear maps and directions, and layouts that are easy to read, this is a handy pocket- or handbag-sized guide to getting the very best out of our diverse county.

Factfile

* The Hidden Places of Yorkshire is published by Travel Publishing Ltd, priced £8.99.

* The Hidden Places series of guide books are available from bookshops, online or direct from Travel Publishing. For more about the books, go to travelpublishing.co.uk.