Explore Beautiful Places Beyond York

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Mountain Goat is well known for its scheduled day trips starting from York and exploring the nearby national parks, The Yorkshire Dales, The North York Moors and The Lake District, but our team of experienced driver guides have been known to venture far beyond these beautiful places on our bespoke private tours and private transport hire bookings. 

Here are some of our favorite places we have helped visitors explore that might inspire your own adventure.

Durham, Bamburgh Castle, Holy Island and Edinburgh

A tour and transfer combined starting in York, taking in Durham, Bamburgh Castle and Holy Island before crossing the border in Scotland and ending in Edinburgh.

Durham is a charming city approximately one and a half hours from York, established on a peninsula bend on the River Wear it is home to charming streets, quaint independent shops a castle and one of England most impressive and important cathedrals. Durham Cathedral was built in the between the 11th and 12th century and is the burial place for important kings and saints of English History including Saint Cuthbert, Bede, and Oswald.

A further hour and half north and you arrive at one of England most recognizable and awe-inspiring castles, Bamburgh Castle. Standing on a rock out post next to the North Sea the castle was impenetrable and has stood for over eight hundred years.

From the battlements of Bamburgh Castle across the shoreline you can see the silhouette of our next destination, Holy Island. Originally built as a monastery in the seventh century, it is only accessible via a causeway, which disappears under the advancing tide twice a day. It was one of the first places raided by the Vikings in the ninth century and it was from here that St Cuthbert remains were rushed away to protect them from the Viking Raids. 

The Scottish Border is only 30 minutes from Holy Island and Edinburgh is little more the 75 minutes further along.

All Creatures Great and Small

Growing in popularity since the return of the popular show in 2020 we can take you on a private version of our All Creatures Great and Small. 

Visit the World of James Herriot Museum in Thirsk, just 45 minutes from York, it is a fascinating insight into the life of the real James Herriot and the perfect way to start or finish a tour of All Creatures Great and Small country. After an hour or so at the museum we head into the glorious Yorkshire Dales to visit some of the iconic locations.

Grassington takes its place as the fictional village of Darrowby, here you may spot the places that front The Drovers Arms and Skeldale House in the new series.

St Micheals and All Angels Church in Hubberholme is a stunning 900-year-old church where the heartwarming wedding between James and Helen was filmed. 

Yockenthwaite Farm – stop for a photo of Helens Farm and scene of the first kiss. Yockenthwaite Farm is a real working farm, we have a good relationship with the owners, so speak to our team about meeting them for a personalized look around the famous working farm.

The Green Dragon – Stop for a Yorkshire Brew (tea or beer) and channel your inner James and Helen in the pub that Tristian and James and the gang often frequent. 

All Creatures Great and Small Country is the Yorkshire Dales; the show was filmed all over the landscape and it takes no imagination whatsoever to imagine you were back in the 1940’s. 

Private Transfer to the Lake District via the Yorkshire Dales

High on the list of many visitors to the UK is a visit to the Yorkshire Dales and the Lake District. However, the links between them are not always the easiest thing to navigate, Mountain Goat can combine the two with our private transfer through the Yorkshire Dales with a drop off anywhere in the Lake District.

With the help of our bespoke private hire team, you can plan an unforgettable trip through the Dales and onwards to your destination in the Lake District. We can advise you of the best places to visit on your journey through based on your personal preferences. 

Like historic ruins, Jervaulx, Easby and Bolton Abbey or Skipton, Richmond and Bolton Castles are a few options from so many historic places in Yorkshire.

Like charming towns, Grassington, Richmond, Hawes, or Sedburgh are just a few options.

Fancy a Proper British Pub Lunch, choose between, Tan Hill Inn (the Highest Pub in UK), The Green Dragon (All Creatures Great and Small) or any of the hundreds of Pubs along the way.

Like attractions? – choose between museums, show caves and waterfalls, or ask us about our unique partner experiences at places such as Yockenthwaite Farm, Private tours of Castle Bolton or watching a sheep dog demo.

Whatever you interest and requirements are, our team of bespoke tour specialists and friendly driver guides work together to help you inspire you and magical memories during your time in York and the United Kingdom

We offer half day, full day and multi day for 1 – 64 persons, from simple airport drop offs to multi day tours around the UK, please contact our bespoke private hire team on 01539 445161 or tours@mountain-goat.com.

Special Offer

Mountain Goat are delighted to offer 10% off any private hire or transfer from York for any booking made between now and the end of March 2026, Just Quote PHBLG10 when making your booking.