North Yorkshire Moors & Heritage Coast Loop

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The route · 7 stops

1
York
1 night
Britain's most complete medieval walled city and the perfect start for this loop. Walk the 3.4 km of city walls, explore the Shambles and allow two hours inside York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. York's strong food and drink scene makes the first night here an enjoyable arrival rather than a staging post.
Britain's most complete medieval walled city and the perfect start for this loop. Walk the 3.4 km of city walls, explore the Shambles and allow two hours inside York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in northern Europe. York's strong food and drink scene makes the first night here an enjoyable arrival rather than a staging post.
Arrive in the afternoon and walk the city walls before dinner. Park at a Park & Ride on the edge of the city; the medieval centre has very limited and expensive parking.
2
Pickering
1 night37m · 43 km from previous
Gateway to the North York Moors and southern terminus of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a 24-mile heritage steam line to Whitby. Buy a rover ticket and ride to Goathland, famous as Hogsmeade in Harry Potter. Pickering Castle (12th century) has intact curtain walls; the parish church holds some of England's finest medieval wall paintings.
Gateway to the North York Moors and southern terminus of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a 24-mile heritage steam line to Whitby. Buy a rover ticket and ride to Goathland, famous as Hogsmeade in Harry Potter. Pickering Castle (12th century) has intact curtain walls; the parish church holds some of England's finest medieval wall paintings.
Buy a rover ticket (not a single) for the NYMR so you can hop on and off at Levisham and Goathland before the train continues to Whitby.
3
Whitby
2 nights31m · 34 km from previous
The route's centrepiece: a working harbour town topped by the 13th-century Whitby Abbey, which inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. Climb the 199 steps to the clifftop churchyard, explore the harbour's jet shops and fish and chips. Two nights allows a second day at Whitby Sands or a cliff walk north to Sandsend.
The route's centrepiece: a working harbour town topped by the 13th-century Whitby Abbey, which inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula. Climb the 199 steps to the clifftop churchyard, explore the harbour's jet shops and fish and chips. Two nights allows a second day at Whitby Sands or a cliff walk north to Sandsend.
Whitby gets very busy on summer weekends. Parking at Whitby is limited; the Larpool Lane Park & Ride on the south side of town is the least stressful option.
4
Robin Hood's Bay
1 night9m · 8 km from previous
The most picturesque village on the Heritage Coast: cobbled lanes through fishermen's cottages to a fossil-rich foreshore. In the 18th century it was the busiest smuggling community on the Yorkshire coast, with tunnels connecting almost every cellar to the shore. Staying overnight reveals a very different atmosphere once the day visitors leave.
The most picturesque village on the Heritage Coast: cobbled lanes through fishermen's cottages to a fossil-rich foreshore. In the 18th century it was the busiest smuggling community on the Yorkshire coast, with tunnels connecting almost every cellar to the shore. Staying overnight reveals a very different atmosphere once the day visitors leave.
Park in the main car park at the top of the village and walk down. The lane to the beach is too narrow for most cars, and there is no parking at the bottom.
5
Scarborough
1 night25m · 24 km from previous
England's oldest seaside resort, split by a headland topped by a 12th-century castle with views along the Heritage Coast. South Bay has the classic sandy beach and Victorian spa buildings; North Bay is quieter, good for rockpooling and water sports. The Rotunda Museum (1829) focuses on the Jurassic geology of this coastline.
England's oldest seaside resort, split by a headland topped by a 12th-century castle with views along the Heritage Coast. South Bay has the classic sandy beach and Victorian spa buildings; North Bay is quieter, good for rockpooling and water sports. The Rotunda Museum (1829) focuses on the Jurassic geology of this coastline.
The castle audio guide is included with English Heritage membership. The South Cliff lift, a Victorian funicular, connects the town centre to South Bay.
6
Helmsley
1 night44m · 48 km from previous
A market town in honey-coloured limestone with a 12th-century castle and the start of the Cleveland Way. Three km west, Rievaulx Abbey is a Cistercian monastery founded in 1132 that became one of England's wealthiest. The ruins stand to considerable height in a narrow wooded valley, linked by a 3 km riverside footpath.
A market town in honey-coloured limestone with a 12th-century castle and the start of the Cleveland Way. Three km west, Rievaulx Abbey is a Cistercian monastery founded in 1132 that became one of England's wealthiest. The ruins stand to considerable height in a narrow wooded valley, linked by a 3 km riverside footpath.
Walk the 3 km footpath from Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey rather than driving; the route follows the River Rye through woodland and gives a much better sense of the monks' original setting.
7
York
50m · 39 km from previous
The final leg south takes around 50 minutes. If time allows, stop at Sutton Bank on the A170 for a last view across the Vale of York from the moor escarpment. The White Horse of Kilburn, carved into the hillside below, is visible from the lay-by and makes a fitting farewell to the North York Moors.
The final leg south takes around 50 minutes. If time allows, stop at Sutton Bank on the A170 for a last view across the Vale of York from the moor escarpment. The White Horse of Kilburn, carved into the hillside below, is visible from the lay-by and makes a fitting farewell to the North York Moors.
Same-day return: time your departure from Helmsley to arrive back in York at least 90 minutes before any onward train or flight.

North Yorkshire Moors & Heritage Coast Loop

The route · 7 stops

York

Pickering

Whitby

Robin Hood's Bay

Scarborough

Helmsley

York

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