The public vote on Yorkshire's best view

Ribblehead Viaduct just missed out on top spot to the far-reaching view from Sutton Bank in the North York Moors.

The poll was carried out by the Broughton-based Dalesman magazine and more than 1,100 votes were cast.

Also in the top ten were Burnsall (in eighth place) and Bolton Abbey (ten).

The magazine's editor, Adrian Braddy, said: "When I first launched the hunt for Yorkshire's best view the most common remark I heard was 'how could I possibly choose just one?' It is a fair point, but fortunately hundreds of people were able to pin down their favourite.

"The views chosen as the fifty best demonstrate the extraordinary diversity of landscapes – both natural and man-made – that make up England's biggest county. What with the moors, Dales, and coastline, plus all the stunning architecture and amazing geological features, we are certainly spoilt for choice. Would a poll carried out in any other county feature such a variety of amazing views. I doubt it."

A number of well-known Yorkshire personalities also chose their favourite views in the county.

TV gardener Alan Titchmarsh said: "The Wharfe Valley, from Ilkley up through Bolton Abbey and Burnsall holds a special place in my heart, as do the moors themselves. I will never tire of them, or of that view."

Michael Parkinson said of the view from the Cow and Calf Rocks: "I can think of no more beautiful sight in the world, never mind Yorkshire."

Dame Judi Dench plumped for the view across the Hole of Horcum in the North York Moors. She said: "When my daughter Finty was a tiny baby, and Michael and I were visiting family in York, we went on a very cold day just to look at the view. I held Finty up so that she could enjoy it too, but I don’t think she appreciated it as much as we did."

Countryfile presenter John Craven, chose the view atop Otley Chevin. "t took my breath away when I first saw it as a 12-year-old... the vast sweep of lower Wharfedale with the distant Almscliffe Crag, where later I learnt to climb, and the town of Otley nestling hundreds of feet below us," he said.

Former newsreader Selina Scott said it was the element of surprise that influenced her choice. "The staggering vista from the church in the moor-top village of Gillamoor always takes the breath away mainly because it is so unexpected," she said.

Peter Charlesworth, chairman of the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, said: “The people who live and work in our beautiful landscape already know just how special it is, but to take so many places in the top 50 list really does bring it home how lucky we are.

“Hopefully the publicity will encourage even more people to come and experience the Yorkshire Dales for themselves.”

The 50 views, in descending order, are:

50 Hardraw Force;

49 Littondale;

48 Richmond Castle;

47 Bempton Cliffs;

46 Castle Howard;

45 Kilnsey Crag;

44 Malham limestone pavement;

43 Arkengarthdale;

42 Dentdale from Flintergill;

41 From Ilkley Moor;

40 Towards Castle Hill;

39 Haworth High Street;

38 Settle from Castleberg;

37 From Roseberry Topping;

36 Rievaulx Abbey;

35 Semerwater;

34 High Force;

33 Steam train through Newton Dale;

32 The Shambles, York;

31. Kettlewell from above;

30From the top of Malham Cove;

29 Rosedale with heather in full bloom;

28 Kilburn White Horse;

27 Towards Ingleborough;

26Langstrothdale at Yockenthwaite;

25Cow and Calf Rocks;

24 Aysgarth Falls;

23 Knaresborough Viaduct;

22 Drystone walls and barns near Gunnerside;

21 Flamborough Head;

20 Towards Penyghent;

19 Towards Roseberry Topping;

18 Nidderdale from Middlesmoor;

17 Towards York Minster;

16 Brimham Rocks;

15 Staithes;

14 Hole of Horcum;

13 South Bay, Scarborough;

12 Fountains Abbey;

11 Towards Malham Cove;

10 Bolton Abbey;

9 Swaledale from Crackpot Hall;

8 Burnsall;

7 Whitby Abbey;

6 Buttertubs Pass;

5 Muker hay meadows;

4 Robin Hood's Bay from Ravenscar;

3 Whitby Harbour from the 199 Steps;

2 Ribblehead Viaduct;

1 From Sutton Bank/Whitestonecliffe.