North York Moors

Using York as your base, get out and explore the natural beauty of the North York Moors National Park, to discover centuries of history, sensational food and drink, and breath-taking landscapes right on the doorstep of York.

Take a stroll in bustling market towns and villages, including picturesque Helmsley and Pickering which are home to world-class attractions, art and antiques, independent shops, and cosy cafes and top class restaurants, presided over by chefs like Michelin-starred Tommy Banks.

Experience vintage train travel at its finest and revisit the age of steam as you embark on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway from Pickering, weaving through amazing scenic landscapes.  Have a thrilling close encounter with the raptors of Helmsley’s National Centre for Birds of Prey, the North’s largest collection.  Or marvel at historic Helmsley Walled Garden, an oasis of tranquillity with its vibrant borders, glasshouses and apple orchards, and award-winning tea-rooms.

In between Helmsley and Pickering, take time to explore working monastery, Ampleforth Abbey, where cider and brandy are handcrafted to a centuries-old recipe.  Set amongst 1200 acres of stunning parkland, it’s a perfect place for a peaceful walk or bike ride.

From Pickering, take a trip to the timeless seaside town of Whitby, world-famous for its seafood, unique jet jewellery – and for being the home of horror!   Whitby is also one of the few places left in Britain where you can experience the seafarer’s way of life, from sea to shore, as it’s been for centuries.  The life of Whitby’s most-celebrated seafarer, Captain Cook, is brought to life in award-winning Captain Cook Memorial Museum.

With some of the starriest skies in the UK, the North York Moors is an International Dark Sky Reserve, and the beautiful night-time skies are a must see. Every February the Dark Skies Festival celebrates its glorious Outer Space, with a sparkling programme of events, from moonlit meanders to expert astronomy talks.

If you’re looking for adventure, you can cycle, walk, play – or even fly over the tree-tops – at Britain’s best outdoor parks, Dalby Forest or Sutton Bank National Park Centre, where you’ll be wowed by some of the finest views in the country.

If you’d prefer an adventure to the past, then look no further than the National Trust’s Nunnington Hall, a homely mansion with organic gardens; and Rievaulx Terrace, one of Yorkshire’s finest landscape gardens with magnificent views over Rievaulx Abbey’s dramatic ruins in the valley below.

Take the time to sit back relax and extend your stay in the luxurious surroundings of the many cosy accommodations which are conveniently located across the National Park.  With too much to see in one day, extend your stay in York - go beyond the city walls and combine the city break with a rural escape to the North York Moors National Park.