Discover North Yorkshire: Moorland, castles and abbeys

A historic railway line runs from Pickering to Grosmont and on to Whitby: the North Yorkshire Moors Railway travels 18 miles along its own historic route; the route continues for a further six miles to Whitby via the national rail network. Its clearly named termini give the railway a tangible shape. Beyond this, moorland, castles, abbeys and museums offer quite different themes for a trip through North Yorkshire. When choosing a hotel location, it may therefore help to decide first what matters most to you: railways and history, time outdoors, historic buildings or regional cheese-making traditions.

Moorland, trails and natural phenomena

The North York Moors National Park encompasses 44,000 hectares of expansive moorland, stretching from the heart of North Yorkshire to the coast. Walkers, horse riders and cyclists can enjoy 2,250 kilometres of public rights of way there. These figures reflect a landscape where trails and activities are an important part of the travel experience. This is a different scale from visiting a single museum or castle.

At How Stean Gorge, visitors can explore natural caves and walk through water-filled gorges. The limestone gorge is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). As access conditions may change, it is best to check them before visiting.

At Mother Shipton’s Cave, a picturesque one-mile walk along the River Nidd goes hand in hand with a geological phenomenon: at the Petrifying Well, falling water turns everyday objects to stone. The cave opened as a visitor attraction in 1630 and is considered England’s oldest visitor attraction. This brings together a particular walking route and an unusual natural feature, although each has a different focus.

Castles, abbeys and museums

Middleham Castle combines a historic figure with an architectural feature. The castle is known as one of the places where Richard III spent his childhood; its Norman keep is among the largest in the country. Richmond Castle, in turn, is considered England’s best-preserved early Norman castle. The two castles therefore have different points of emphasis: Middleham’s connection to Richard III and Richmond’s early Norman architectural history.

The abbeys also have a long history. The first monastery on the site of Whitby Abbey was founded around 657 and grew into an important religious centre of the Anglo-Saxon world. In 664, Whitby Abbey was the setting for the Synod of Whitby. Easby Abbey is one of the best-preserved Premonstratensian monasteries in Britain. It was founded around 1152 by Roald, Constable of Richmond.

Studley Royal offers a different picture of designed history: its 18th-century water garden features canals, ponds and cascades, as well as lawns, hedges, garden buildings, gates and statues. The combination of water features and landscaped garden elements makes it a distinct cultural theme within North Yorkshire’s varied travel experiences.

The Rotunda Museum is one of the world’s first purpose-built museums. It focuses on coastal heritage and geology, and displays fossils and exhibits from the Jurassic period. It also features artefacts from the 11,000-year-old Star Carr collection. In Knaresborough, the Knaresborough Castle Museum explores royal history and includes a secret tunnel. There are family-friendly activities on the castle grounds.

Cheese-making traditions and choosing a hotel location

The Wensleydale Creamery Visitor Centre hosts live cheese-making demonstrations. The Taste of Yorkshire tasting room offers pairings with artisan cheeses. Visitors can also learn more there about the 1,000-year tradition of cheese-making in the Yorkshire Dales. Demonstrations and tastings are part of the current visitor offering and may change; check the latest information before visiting.

Consider which of these experiences you actually want to include in your plans, and tailor your hotel search to those priorities.

Discover more destinations:

Selby, Hopperton, Newsham, Flixton, Cropton, Flaxton, Aldwark, Hipswell, Willerby, Rosedale Abbey, Lothersdale, Crayke, Cononley, Oldstead, Saltburn-By-The-Sea, Thornton Watlass, Thornton-le-Moor, Sand Hutton, Muker, Middlesmoor, Bradley, Appleton-Le-Moors, Stokesley, Sherburn In Elmet, York, Low Row, Coxwold, Thornton Dale, Hunmanby, Green Hammerton, Colton, Well, Redmire, Great Edstone, Castleton, Kirkbymoorside, Kettlewell, Huby, Hovingham, Helmsley, Northallerton, Newton-Le-Willows, Middleham, Masham, Malton, Malham, Leyburn, Knaresborough, Cawood, Stillingfleet, Robin Hood's Bay, Ingleton, Carperby, Cloughton, Bainbridge, Boroughbridge, Embsay, Horton-in-Ribblesdale, Hambleton, Hetton, Birstwith, Felixkirk, Darley, Hellifield, Brompton, Tockwith, Linton-on-Ouse, Brafferton, Thwaite, West Witton, Bilbrough, Egton, Redcar, Hunton, Clapham, Whorlton, Danby, Grassington, Whitby, Stainsacre, Mickleby, Spofforth, South Kilvington, Sandsend, Lealholm, Battersby, Oulston, Reeth, Cowling, Gilling East, Carnforth, Harrogate, Goathland, Ganton, Escrick, Easingwold, Crathorne, Shipton, Burrill, Ripley, Gargrave, Burniston, Scalby, Ruswarp, Ripon, Ravenscar, Pickering, Pateley Bridge, Otterburn, Cray, Winteringham, Wigglesworth, Tollerton, Threshfield, Thirsk, Tadcaster, Burton-In-Lonsdale, Cayton, Burythorpe, Nawton, Hinderwell, Kildale, Hawes, Thixendale, Sneaton, Sleights, Settrington, Rillington, Oswaldkirk, Norton, Riccall, Staithes, Whenby, West Rounton, Thornton Steward, Dalton, Alne, Hackness, Gristhorpe, East Harlsey, Commondale, Stearsby, Sutton-on-the-Forest, South Milford, Skipton, Settle, Bentham, Hebden, Grosmont, Draughton, Aysgarth, Hawnby, Long Preston, Catterick Bridge, Busby, Burnsall, Bedale, Great Broughton, Bolton Abbey, Scotch Corner, Wykeham, Monk Fryston, Richmond, Carlton Miniott, Austwick, Crosby, Airton

For the wider travel overview: Yorkshire And The Humber.