Yorkshire, England’s largest historic county, was traditionally divided into three distinct regions known as the East Riding, West Riding, and North Riding. The term “Riding” comes from the Old Norse þriðing, meaning a third part—reflecting the county’s early Viking influence. Each Riding functioned as its own administrative division with a high degree of independence, and together they formed the broad and varied cultural and geographical landscape of Yorkshire.

The East Riding was largely rural and coastal, characterised by flat agricultural land and market towns like Beverley and Driffield. It bordered the North Sea and was known for its rich farmland and maritime connections. The North Riding was more rugged and remote, covering the North York Moors and parts of the Yorkshire Dales. Its economy was based on sheep farming, mining, and small market towns such as Richmond and Whitby. The West Riding was the most populous and industrialised, encompassing cities like Leeds, Sheffield, and Bradford. During the Industrial Revolution, it became a powerhouse of textile manufacturing, coal mining, and steel production, shaping much of Yorkshire’s modern identity.

The traditional Ridings were abolished as administrative units in 1974, following the Local Government Act of 1972, which reorganised local government across England and Wales. This reform replaced the Ridings with new divisions of North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire, though the historic identity of the Ridings remains strong in the hearts and culture of Yorkshire folk to this day.

As a native of the East Riding, memories of this historic identity remain close to my heart.