York Guides

(Yorkshire Post)

Now tourism chiefs want a new army of Scandinavians to cross the North Sea to the region – bringing their wallets and walking boots with them rather than weapons of war.
Thousands of visitors from Norway, Sweden and Denmark already visit Yorkshire every year – in 2004, they put £24m into the region's coffers – but the launch of a new series of coastal walks is intended to attract even more of Yorkshire's North Sea neighbours.
English Heritage and the North York Moors National Park have teamed up for the North Sea Trail Project, which is being co-ordinated by Malcolm Hodgson of the National Park.
"The North Sea Trail is a European initiative highlighting trails and walks through the participating countries," said Mr Hodgson.
"In North Yorkshire the route follows the line of the Cleveland Way National Trail.
"With many visitors from the Scandinavian countries visiting our region to follow the routes that may have been used by the Vikings, it was fantastic to be involved in Whitby Abbey's Viking celebrations (in May), and we're looking forward to the numerous other events highlighting Yorkshire's unique heritage."
The initiative – part of the Nortrail Project, funded by European Community grants – also includes Holland and Belgium but in Yorkshire is targeting Scandinavians who may want to follow in the footsteps of their Norse forefathers.
Where the Vikings would have landed in Cleveland or sailed their longships up the tidal River Ouse to reach York, 21st century Scandinavian visitors to Yorkshire are more likely to travel by DFDS Seaways ferry to Newcastle.
Newcastle International Airport has direct flights to Stavanger in Norway and Copenhagen in Denmark and a new direct service started last month, linking Leeds Bradford Airport and the Swedish capital Stockholm.
English Heritage regional marketing manager Nicola Bexon said Yorkshire's coast has a particularly colourful past.
"The coastal regions of all of the participating countries were great hubs of trade and commerce, as well as playing major roles in invasions and great battles," she said.
English Heritage has events this summer linked to the trail – including smugglers' weekends at Whitby Abbey and an invasion season at Scarborough Castle – and there is a DVD about the coastal Cleveland Way and North Sea Trail.
A website – at www.northseatrail.co.uk
– has details of walks and attractions themed around landscape, history and wildlife.