The North York Moors National Park in Yorkshire, England is one of the ten national parks in England and offers visitors a diverse range of landscapes, charming villages, and outdoor adventures. In this blog post, I share with you the best places and villages to visit, the most scenic (circulair) walks, charming pubs, and more to fall in love with in the North York Moors.
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The Best Places to visit in the North York Moors
The North York Moors has a lot of charming villages to explore.
Helmsley - The market square is surrounded by boutique shops like Partridge & Teal, tearooms, and traditional pubs. Visit the Hunters of Helmsley, voted best small shop in the UK 2015, Flower Shop Twig and Twine, Artisan Bakery Thomas the Baker or Number Twelve Cafe, Bar and Eatery. The scenic location and the Helmsley Castle make Helmsley a lovely place to explore in the North York Moors and the countryside.
Hutton-le-Hole: Known for its idyllic setting, Hutton-le-Hole is a small village with picturesque cottages and a beck running through the village center.
Osmotherley - The North Yorks Moors is full of quaint villages. Osmotherley is located at the western edge of the North York Moors National Park and serves as a popular starting point for the famous long-distance footpath, the Cleveland Way, attracting hikers and visitors with its charming atmosphere and access to the surrounding countryside. We did a nice circulair walk in the area.
Staithes - Another picturesque fishing village, Staithes is known for its huddled cottages, cobbled streets. The village offers stunning coastal views.
Robin Hood's Bay - Nestled along the coast near the southern edge of the North York Moors, Robin Hood's Bay is a historic fishing village with narrow winding streets leading down to a picturesque bay. Its quaint cottages and cobblestone lanes add timeless charm to this village.
Rosedale Abbey - The remnants of a Cistercian priory add historical charm, and the surrounding landscapes are perfect for exploring on foot. We had a perfect lunch at the cute Abbey Tea Room, exactly how you would picture an old-fashioned english tearoom.
Runswick Bay - A tip from a local to visit Runswick Bay on your way from Staithes to Whitby and Robin Hoods' Bay.
Thornton-le-Dale: Often described as one of the prettiest villages in Yorkshire, Thornton-le-Dale is known for its thatched cottages, a gently flowing stream, and a charming village green. The beck-side walk is not to miss.
Whitby - Way more touristy than the other seaside vilalges Staithes, Runswick Bay and Robin Hood's Bay. Nevertheless, the seaside town Whitby is worth a visit on your coastal route. Make sure to make your way up to the 199 steps to the Gothic Whitby Abbey. For coffee, tea and a scone go to Sherlocks Coffee Shop. For fish and chips, known as a chippy, visit the famous Magpie Cafe.
The Best Walks in the North York Moors
The Cleveland Way National Trail - 109 miles (175km)
The Cleveland Way is a long-distance footpath that combines coastal and inland sections, offering stunning views of the Yorkshire coastline and the North York Moors.
The Esk Valley Walk - 37 miles (60km)
The Esk Valley Walk is a long distance footpath in North Yorkshire, England and offers a serene and scenic journey through the picturesque Esk Valley in the North York Moors. This long-distance trail meanders along the charming River Esk, passing through quaint villages, lush woodlands, and open moorlands.
Levisham Circular Walk - Explore the peaceful village of Levisham and its surrounding countryside. This circular walk takes you through woodlands, meadows, and along the impressive Levisham Moor. 11 mile loop trail.
Roseberry Topping Circular Walk - This iconic hill offers a relatively short but rewarding walk. Reach the summit for stunning views of the moors and the coastline. 2.8 mile loop trail.
Sutton Bank and the White Horse of Kilburn Circular Walk - Enjoy a circular walk around Sutton Bank, taking in the famous Kilburn White Horse and the breathtaking views from the escarpment. 3.8 mile loop trail.
Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay Walk - 7 miles (11.2km)
This coastal trail takes hikers along the cliffs from the historic town of Whitby to the charming Robin Hood's Bay, providing breathtaking views of the North Sea. This cliff top route follows a very popular section of the Cleveland Way.
The Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail - 79 miles (127km)
Starting in Hessle and ending in Filey, The Wolds Way showcases the beauty of the Yorkshire Wolds, combining rolling hills, woodlands, and charming villages.
The Best Pubs in the North York Moors
The Blacksmiths Arms in Lastingham - This traditional pub in the heart of Lastingham offers a cozy atmosphere, locally brewed ales, and hearty meals.
The Fox and Hounds in Danby - We stayed at this tradtional pub for two nights. Pub grub is great and breakfast was delicious too. Highly recommended.
The Lion Inn in Blakey Ridge - Perched on the highest point of the North York Moors, The Lion Inn is a historic pub with stunning views. Enjoy a pint by the fire after a day of exploring.
The Board Inn in Lealholm - Located in the charming village of Lealholm, The Board Inn is a welcoming pub with a selection of real ales and delicious pub fare.
The Feversham Arms in Church Houses - Combine traditional pub charm with comfortable pub accommodations at The Feversham Arms Inn, offering a convenient base for exploring the moors.
The White Swan Inn in Pickering - Stay at this charming inn in Pickering, offering a cozy atmosphere, modern amenities, and easy access to the North York Moors Railway.
Things To Do North York Moors
Fountains Abbey is a UNESCO World Heritage site with ancient ruins, 3 miles west of Helmsley,
Rievaulx Abbey - Uncover the secrets of Rievaulx Abbey, an enchanting historical site tucked away in the heart of the North York Moors.
Castle Howard is a stately home in North Yorkshire, England located 15 miles north of York. It is a private residence and has been the home of the Carlisle branch of the Howard family for more than 300 years. Unfortunately closed when I wanted to visit.
The North York Moors Railway
For those who are fan of Harry Potter, you will recognise stations like Goathland, known to many as "Hogsmeade" in the Harry Potter films. A ride on the historic North York Moors Railway will give you the experience and the nostalgia of the steam trains. This privately owned railway runs for 18 miles through beautiful countryside from Pickering to Whitby. It is a tourist attraction and quite expensive, hence we did not do it. But I can understand why it is a populair thing to do in the North York Moors National Park.
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