Wedding dress shopping is a highlight in most brides’ planning diaries, so we love encouraging those who visit our North Yorkshire bridal boutique to stretch it out by making a full day - or even weekend - of it!
Being located in the beautiful market town of Pickering means we not only have the perfect ingredients for a girly day out on our doorstep, but we’re surrounded by a host of must-visit destinations that’ll easily delight you and your tribe.
So, whether travelling from near or far, we’ve pulled together our top suggestions of places to visit and things to do in North Yorkshire to create a dream itinerary centred around your Little Pearl appointment.
From bustling city vibes to quaint seaside towns and relaxing countryside retreats, there’s an enjoyable option for all, no matter if you’ll be joined by family or friends…or a combination of the two!
If you’ve not yet booked your Luxury Bridal Experience at our award-winning boutique, simply click here to choose the type of appointment you require and view our current availability. Friday and weekend appointments are most in demand, so we advise booking as far in advance as possible to secure your preferred time to visit.
Then, with your wedding dress shopping appointment safely in place, you can use the handy guide below to plan the perfect girly getaway or day out, with highly-desirable ideas in easy reach of Pickering.
OUR NORTH YORKSHIRE GIRLS DAY OUT & GETAWAY GUIDE
Explore More Of Pickering
Did we mention that The Little Pearl is located in a beautifully historic Yorkshire market town? So, with picturesque bars, shops and eateries lining Pickering’s pretty streets, you can easily enjoy a gorgeous girls day right here! Enjoy browsing the independent, antique and vintage stores, hydrate (well, sort of!) with a rosé (or two) at Number Four wine bar, then treat yourself to a delicious lunch or evening meal at The White Swan Inn. For those that prefer a bit of history - or that might want to walk off that indulgent lunch - Pickering Castle is less than a ten-minute stroll from the boutique with fascinating ruins and far reaching views. Finally, wishinging to stay in North Yorkshire for an entire weekend, we’d highly recommend hiring The Hideout Country Lodges in nearby Allerston, a trio of luxury lodges complete with private hot tubs!
Indulge In Malton
Located just a 15-minute drive from Pickering, the gorgeous town of Malton is a must-visit when planning your wedding dress shopping trip. Known as “Yorkshire’s Food Capital” this is the place for guilt-free indulgence with some of Yorkshire’s best restaurants, artisan food producers, cafes, pubs and even a gin distillery all part of its delicious offering! We love nosey in the town’s beautiful independent homeware and interior shops as well as a trip to the boutique food court at Talbot Yard with local produce aplenty. For those wanting to extend their stay, we’d suggest booking a room at the beautifully styled Talbot Hotel, which is also home to a gorgeous bar and restaurant. And for any history (or horticultural) lovers amongst you, the enchanting Castle Howard, which has provided filming backdrops for the likes of Bridgerton and even an Arctic Monkeys’ music video, is just a short drive away.
Pamper Yourself In Helmsley
If the wedding planning has got you in the mood for some serious R&R, then a North Yorkshire spa trip might be more your vibe. The Feversham Arms Hotel in Helmsley is the ultimate countryside retreat housing characterful bedroom suites, a restaurant and Verbena Spa beneath its beautiful roof. Spa facilities include its soothing Heat Experience plus outdoor jacuzzi and heated pool, and we definitely think busy brides-to-be deserve a treatment (or two!) with heavenly facials, massages, wraps and manicures all on the pamper menu. Should you muster the energy to leave the hotel for anything other than your Little Pearl appointment, we suggest calling into the recently reopened and much-loved Star Inn in nearby Harome.
Be Beside The Sea In Whitby & Scarborough
It’s hard to beat the nostalgic feel-goodness of a trip to the British seaside, and our bridal boutique is within easy reach of two east coast favourites. There’s so much beauty to explore on foot in Whitby, from the traditional harbour and cobbled, shop-lined streets to its famous Whalebone Arch and historic abbey. Meanwhile, head to Scarborough to enjoy marmite traditions such as amusements, seaside paddles and, of course, fish and chips. You might also want to time your Yorkshire wedding dress shopping trip to tie in with a production or gig at Scarborough’s Open Air Theatre, where top musicians, including Elton John, Kylie and Lewis Capaldi, have performed. If making a girly weekend of it, Whitby is home to some wonderfully individual, cool and quirky accommodation options, including Jet Black Jewel and La Rosa Hotel.
Soak Up The City Of York
Dreaming of a pre-wedding girly getaway in the city? Then seize the opportunity to combine your Little Pearl wedding dress shopping experience with a trip to York. What’s not to love about this city with intriguing history, beautiful architecture, amazing shops and top eateries and bars all part of its unique cosmopolitan offering? Explore the winding, cobbled streets of The Shambles and Swingate before hitting up the high street shops, then heading to the famous Betty’s Tea Rooms for an afternoon tea you won’t forget. Of course, all that shopping is likely to work up a thirst, so we highly recommend checking out some of York’s iconic cocktail bars and pubs too, including well-known establishments Evil Eye Lounge and The House of Trembling Madness. When it comes to brunch, lunch and dinner spots, you’ll be spoilt for choice with everything from Michelian-star restaurants and trusted chains to cool, Instagramable independents, like Dyls, covered. Finally, if looking for somewhere for you and your girls to rest your weary feet (and fuzzy heads), we’d suggest perfectly positioned central hotels, such as Principal or Hotel Indigo.
Your Experience At Our North Yorkshire Bridal Boutique
With the itinerary all sorted, you might want to discover more about what you can expect from your wedding dress shopping experience at The Little Pearl, all of which is covered in this handy blog post.
BECOME A #PEARLSGIRL - Simply click here to book your Luxury Bridal Experience at our gorgeous bridal boutique. We stock stunning collections of timeless and modern wedding gowns by top bridal designers, including Evie Young, Rachel Rose, Stella York, Wtoo and our very own bridal label, Clara Pearl.
GET YOUR FREE DRESS SHOPPING GUIDE - Join our #PearlsGirls Club to get your hands on our downloadable ‘Guide To Start Your Wedding Dress Shopping’ and to be the first to hear about exciting boutique news, exclusive offers and upcoming events. Click here to sign up!