What have cyclists, walkers, sightseers and day trippers to the North York Moors and coast all got in common?

A love of cake when they're visiting the area.

This is why the region has this week proclaimed itself as Britain's Capital of Cake, championing '50 tastes of cake' and the myriad places where one of the nation's favourite treats can be enjoyed.

It must be something to do with being in a beautiful area that gets the tastebuds going but regardless of the season, time of day, or reason – whether it's a refuelling pit stop or simply an indulgent treat – visitors can't get enough of the sweet stuff.

Each year thousands of homemade cakes are served and enjoyed while the seven million plus visitors to the North York Moors and coast sit in walled gardens, on village greens, looking out over waterfalls, atop hills or on the seashore.

The North York Moors Tourism Network, a voluntary organisation supporting more than 400 tourism and related businesses, together with the North York Moors National Park Authority (NYMNPA), are leading the 'capital' claim.

Catriona McLees, NYMNPA's head of promotion and tourism explains: “Our prowess in cake-making probably dates back to the Vikings who are said to have invented Yorkshire Parkin, the ginger tea-bread which remains one of the most popular cakes across the region today.

“When people visit our area, having a slice of cake is very much part of the enjoyment factor. So, with the combination of having some of the most creative and best bakers in the country together with the multitude of imaginative places and beauty spots where visitors delight in tucking into a slice of deliciousness, we're laying claim to the Capital of Cake! 

“As part of this we've created a website listing 50 of the most popular types of cake eaten and the sweet spots, the places where some of the tastiest treats can be enjoyed throughout the North York Moors and coast.”

Environment Secretary of State Elizabeth Truss said:“I support the Capital of Cake. A decent cup of Yorkshire tea and slice of cake are two great reasons to visit the North York Moors.  The more people visit, the more they will realise that our National Parks offer so much besides their beauty. Tourism is massively important to the Parks which are a cornerstone of our £210 billion rural economy.”

Some of the cakes featured on www.capitalofcake.com  include:

• Ampleforth upside down apple cake made with the Abbey's own apples and cider
• Moggy cake – a variation of Yorkshire Parkin without the oats. Moggy comes from the Norse flour moggi.
• Courting cakes – a Madeira/Victoria sponge laced with cream and strawberries, traditionally made by factory girls for the man they had their eye on.
• Funeral biscuits – caraway and shortbread biscuits with a heart in the middle. Traditionally these were given at Yorkshire funerals in Victorian times in memory of the deceased.
• Grosmont tart
• Rhubarb frangipane
• Lemon courgette cake
• Yorkshire curd tart
• Boltby Bridge cake
• Ravenscar tea loaf

The Capital of Cake initiative is supported by:

• Ampleforth Abbey Tea Room
• Castle Howard
• Real Staithes
• Falling Foss Tea Garden
• Gorgeous Cottages
• Crema Coffee House
• Middleton Post Office Tea Parlour
• Ingleby Manor
• The Buck Inn
• Baytown Coffee Company
• Deighton Lodge
• Celebrate! Country Cake Design
• Plus 30 other cafés, accommodation providers and visitor attractions.