Days Out and Tours
Castles, Coasts & Gothic Legends
Prices From £395.00
About Us
Swap the city for castle ruins, a clifftop abbey and a seaside village on a private, full-day driven tour from York for up to four guests.
The first stop is Pickering Castle, a medieval fortress on the edge of the North York Moors. From there the road crosses the moors to Whitby Abbey, the clifftop ruin forever linked with Bram Stoker’s Dracula, followed by free time in Whitby itself for the harbour, the old streets and lunch. The afternoon brings Robin Hood’s Bay, a steep tumble of cottages and narrow lanes running down to the sea, before the drive back to York.
The tour lasts around eight hours. Your local driver-guide takes care of the driving, timings and stories, leaving you free to enjoy the scenery, take photos and go at a relaxed pace. Stop order may change with traffic, weather and your group’s preferences.
Good to know
- Private tour for up to four guests – no strangers, no coach.
- Pick-up and return from your York hotel, accommodation or an agreed York-area meeting point.
- Entry to Pickering Castle, Whitby Abbey and other attractions is not included, nor are food and drink.
- Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay involve steep streets and steps. If anyone in your group has mobility or access needs, please get in touch before booking.
Book online through the Highwayman Tours website for instant confirmation, or get in touch to ask a question first.
Location
Frequently asked questions
- How long is the tour?
Castles, Coasts & Gothic Legends is an 8-hour private driven tour from York.
- Where does the tour start?
Pick-up is from York at an agreed location. This can include hotels, guest houses, holiday lets, Airbnb accommodation, York railway station, car parks or another suitable meeting point.
- How many people can join?
This is a private tour for up to four passengers.
- Which places are included?
The route includes Pickering Castle, Whitby, Whitby Abbey, Scarborough Castle and scenic parts of the Yorkshire coast.
- Are attraction entry fees included?
Entry fees are not included. Many sites can be enjoyed from the exterior, and some places may be free to visit. Others may require admission depending on the attraction, season, visitor type and how tickets are booked.
- Do we have to go inside every attraction?
No. The tour is flexible. Some guests prefer exterior views, photos, short walks and stories from the route, while others may choose to go inside selected sites.
- Is this a guided walking tour?
No. This is a private driven tour from York, with stops along the way. There will be time to step out, explore, take photos and hear the stories behind the places visited.
- Is Whitby included?
Yes. Whitby and Whitby Abbey are key parts of the route, with time to enjoy the town, the abbey views, the coastline and the gothic atmosphere.
- Is this tour suitable in bad weather?
Yes, although some stops are outdoors and coastal weather can change quickly. Please dress for the Yorkshire weather and wear suitable footwear.
- Can the route be adapted?
Yes, where time, traffic and opening conditions allow. Highwayman Tours specialises in flexible private driven tours, so the day can be adjusted to suit your interests.
- Where can I book?
Bookings can be made directly through the Highwayman Tours website, with selected experiences also available through Airbnb. Visitors are welcome to read our excellent Google and Airbnb reviews before booking.
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