THE stunning landscapes and beautiful scenery of the broad acres of Yorkshire are renowned worldwide for their ability to take the breath away.

With its dales and moors, valleys and summits, evocative ruins, cosy villages and rugged coastline there are views to move even the most jaded spirit.

Now, for the first time, a major survey has tried to answer the question of just what is the county’s finest vista.

And the clear winner – for which more than 1,100 votes were cast – was the panoramic view to be seen from Sutton Bank, on the edge of the North York Moors.

The spectacular view across the Vales of Mowbray and York was a favourite of author James Herriot who called it "the finest in England.”

In second place was Ribblehead Viaduct in the Yorkshire Dales, followed by Whitby harbour as seen from the town's 199 Steps.

Robin Hood's Bay from Ravenscar was placed fourth, while the hay meadows of Muker were voted Yorkshire's fifth best view.

Following the international exposure of the Tour de France, Buttertubs Pass took sixth place in the poll, followed by Whitby Abbey in seventh.

The picture-perfect Wharfedale village of Burnsall came eighth, Swaledale from the ruined Crackpot Hall took ninth position, while the often-painted Bolton Abbey was placed in tenth.

The survey was carried out by the Dalesman magazine and the results are carried in its September issue.

Editor Adrian Braddy said: “Would a poll carried out in any other county feature such a variety of amazing views? I doubt it."

Well-known personalities from the county were also eager to name their choices.

Dame Judi Dench plumped for the view across the Hole of Horcum on the North York Moors.

"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,” she said.

“I held Finty up so that she could enjoy it too - but I don’t think she appreciated it as much as we did."

For former newsreader Selina Scott 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.

The top 20 views, in reverse order, were:

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

Do you agree or disagree with the choices? Let us know at Newsdesk@nne.co.uk