The North Riding of Yorkshire is one of the three traditional subdivisions of the English county of Yorkshire. The others are the West Riding of Yorkshire and the East Riding of Yorkshire. The Ridings are the ancient divisions of Yorkshire and were recognised as such in 1888 when each was given its own county council.

In 1974 the Riding was abolished for administrative purposes, and the majority became part of the new county of North Yorkshire (which also included much of the northern rural part of the old West Riding as well as York itself and the northern and eastern fringes of the old East Riding). South Teesdale was transferred to County Durham, whilst Middlesbrough and Redcar became part of Cleveland (and are now in independent unitary authorities - and part of North Yorkshire for ceremonial purposes).

Proposed resurrections

On three occasions a resurrection of the North Riding of Yorkshire for local government purposes has been suggested. During the 1990s UK local government reform, the Banham Commission suggested uniting Richmondshire, Hambleton, Ryedale and Scarborough districts in a new unitary authority called 'North Riding of Yorkshire'. Later, the government proposed renaming the county of North Yorkshire the 'North Riding of Yorkshire'. This was turned down as inappropriate.

During a further local government review in the 2000s as part of the preperations for the regional assembly referendums, a 'North Riding of Yorkshire' unitary authority consisting of Richmondshire, Hambleton, Ryedale and Scarborough was again suggested. However, the Commission withdrew this in favour or two unitary authorities, one for Hambleton and Richmondshire, the other for Ryedale and Scarborough.