What Makes the Moors Special?

The landscape

Firstly, the landscape of North York Moors looks amazing.

Especially in Summer when the Moors bloom with purple heather.

The Moors Put on a Purple Blazeof Heather Each Summer.

The Moors are a vast tract of hard, hilly terrain, broken by soft, gently Dales; making for one of the most outstanding places in Britain.

That's why the Moors have National Park status.

National Trails

We're blessed with not just one, but three classic long distance walks which are some of the best in the world; plus thousands of shorter day-walks for visitors to enjoy.

The Coast-to-Coast, made famous by Wainwright is still the UKs best known walk.

We also have the 110-mile Cleveland Way; and the 40-mile Lyke Wake Walk.

All are good, traversing much of the the North York Moors magnificent scenic countryside.

The Yorkshire Coast

The Moors are edged to the North-east by the magnificent Yorkshire Heritage Coastline.

The coast is home to soaring cliffs, sandy beaches, and magnificent bays.

Starting at historic Saltburn to the North; and running through Whitby, Scarborough, Bridlington and Filey to the South, the coast is home to some of Britains most famous Edwardian and Victorian-era resorts.

Our favourites places are Staithes, Runswick Bay and Robin Hoods Bay.

Surfers Cross the Beach at Saltburn.

Love our Forests

The Moors are home to some of the Nations’ oldest trees. The extraordinary Dalby Forest is simply huge and is a "must-visit" location for anyone holidaying on the Moors.

Unique Yorkshire Culture

People arrived on the Moors more than 10,000 years ago; at the end of the last ice-age.

And the Moors have been populated over time by the Beaker-people in the stone-age, the Romans, Vikings, and Normans.

Migrations and settlement has created a treasured culture that is unique to the Moors.

Museums in Hutton-le-Hole, Pickering, Whitby, and York give good accounts of the history of the Moors and are all worth a visit.

Food, Glorious Food

The Moors have some of the best Farm to table food served anywhere in Europe; and Malton - on the edge of the Moors - has become the "food capital of Britain".

And the Coastal fishing ports of Whitby and Scarborough provide some of the best seafood in the World.

There are few finer feelings than sitting at a restaurant terrace enjoying fine, fresh Yorkshire food or seafood.

Try dinner at the Pheasent or the Star Inn on the edge of the Moors for great Michelin-starred dining experience.

Britains Most Scenic Railway

The NYM Railway at Pickering is Only Ten-Miles from Rosedale Abbey.

The North York Moors Steam Railways is widely regarded as Britains best train journey.

And it is frequently voted to be Yorkshire's favourite tourism attraction.

It is certainly one of the most scenic routes, from Pickering to Grosmont; and onwards down the Esk Valley to Whitby.

Cycle Central

The North York Moors are one of the ultimate places for a cycling holiday in the UK.

The trails are getting better and better; and Dalby Forest has played host to World MTB championships..

And we're home to National Cycle Trails like the Moor-to-Coast route which runs right through Rosedale Abbey..

The Rosedale Rail Trail runs for for 10-miles around Rosedale and another 15-miles across the Moors to the Inglby incline.

Cycling in Rosedale is a Very Popular Year-round Activity.

Beautiful Gardens

There really are some glorious gardens scattered across the North York Moors and around its edges.

The area has a natural range of micro-climates that allow a vast variety of plants, trees and shrubs to flourish.

Try the Helmsley Walled Garden, Castle Howard and it's gardens, the Yorkshire Aboretum, Scampston Walled garden, or the Moors Centre in Danby for a variety of wonderful garden experiences.