We think this part of North Yorkshire is one of the most beautiful areas in Britain and that should be reason enough to come and see it but there is so much more to do and see. We have picked out a few of the places we love to visit.
Great beach, lovely views with a spectacular 25 minute drive from here across the moors. The crab sandwiches at The Hart are good and the Sandside cafe has an outside seating area which makes you feel you are almost on the beach. Afterwards perhaps some shopping at the wonderful Turnstone Gallery. Whitby is only a short distance along the coast, with it's Abbey and famous 199 steps.
A relaxing oasis, Scampston has spectacular plants throughout the spring/summer/autumn. The café makes it enjoyable even for those without a green finger.
Less than 15 minutes away our closest town has everything you might need to while away the hours. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Pickering Castle and Beck Isle Museum are all well worth a visit. There is a great farm shop and cafe at Cedar Barn and other café’s including our favourite, Caffe Stop, also a choice of good pubs like The White Swan Inn for lunch. Monday is Market day.
A huge sense of history with the Minster, the city walls and The Shambles. There is also The Jorvik Viking Centre, The National Railway Museum, the famous Betty's Tearooms or a boat trip on the River Ouse. The shopping is pretty spectacular too. There are some great places to stop for lunch, Oscars and the Blue Bicycle spring to mind.
So much more than just Brideshead but to be honest that’s enough for us. The house is breathtaking as it comes into view. If the beautiful gardens leave you feeling inspired there is an excellent garden centre next to the farm shop and cafe.
The route travels from Cawthorne, almost through our garden then across the moors. It is now only visible at Wades Causeway on Wheeldale moor but you can almost imagine the marching legions when you look at it.
There is something timeless about the sight and sound of a steam engine as it whistles past. A great way to see the Moors and especially Newtondale which is like a mini Grand Canyon rarely seen apart from by train although well worth the effort to walk through it. This is a very popular outing with special events run throughout the year like the War Weekend in October.
It can seem like you are the only person on earth when walking through the quieter parts of the forest. Very good paths make it ideal for visiting quiet glades and giant trees. Some areas of the forest were used as the Forbidden Forest in the Harry Potter Films. Great for walking the dogs off the leads and for cranking up that mountain bike!
A lovely market town with Rievaulx Abbey and Duncombe Park. The Walled Garden and Helmsley castle. Some really good gallery’s like Saltbox and some nice little shops including Perns, which is a great deli. The Perns also run the Star close by in Harome which is one of the best Pub / restaurants in the north. Friday is Market day.
Local Events 2010
March
1st - 31st October - Northwood Ho! Exhibition, Captain Cool Memorial Museum, Whitby
2nd - 10th April - Eskdale Festival of Arts, Whitby
27th - 2nd April - National Student Drama Festival, Scarborough
April
15th - 18th - Scarborough Literature Festival
16th - 17th - Thirsk Races
16th - 18th - Spirit of the 1940's Weekend, Whitby
16th - 18th - Pickering Walking Festival
18th - Spring Cup Road Races, Oliver's Mount Scarborough
23rd - 25th - UCL Mountain Bike Cross Country World Cup, Dalby Forest
30th - 9th - May Spring Steam Gala, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
May
1st - Thirsk Races
2nd - 7th - Scarborough Bowls Festival
8th - Thirsk Races
8th - 9th - Pickering Game and Country Fair
15th - Thirsk Races
24th - Thirsk Races
28th - 31st - Ryedale Folk Festival
28th May - 6th June - Filey Festival of Music
31st - Country Park, Duncombe Park
June
4th - 6th - Whitby's 60's Festival
5th - 6th - Filey Regatta
11th - 13th - Robin Hood's Bay Folk Weekend
12th - 60's Weekend at North Yorkshire Moors Railway
15th - Thirsk Races
25th - Keane at Dalby Forest
25th June - 4th July - Filey Town Festival
26th - Simply Red at Dalby Forest
29th - Thirsk Races
July
2nd - 4th - Whitby Northern Soul Weekend
4th - Barry Sheen Classic Road Races
10th - 11th - Cock ‘o' the North Road Races
10th - 11th - Vintage Vehicle Weekend at North Yorkshire Moors Railway
16th July - 1st August - Ryedale Festival
17th - 18th - 1940's Weekend at Wensleydale Railway
17th - 25th - Go Racing in Yorkshire Summer Festival
18th - Race for Life, Scarborough
19th - 25th July - Scarborough Fayre and Continental Market
20th - North Yorkshire County Show
23rd - Thirsk Races
23rd - 25th Seafest, Scarborough
24th July - 1st August - Muston Scarecrow Festival
27th The Ryedale Show
30th - 31st Thirsk Races
August
5th - 8th - Pickering Traction Engine Rally
7th - 8th - Filey Lifeboat Weekend
9th - Thirsk Races
21st - 22nd - Staithes and Runswick Lifeboat Weekend
21st - 23rd - Whitby Regatta
21st - 27th - Whitby Folk Week
27th - Thirsk Races
September
4th - Thirsk Races
5th - 10th - Open Golf Week, Scarborough
11th - Goldwing Light Parade, Scarborough
12th - Acoustic Gathering V, Scarborough
17th - 19th - Diesel Gala at North Yorkshire Moors Railway
18th - 19th - Gold Cup Road Races
24th - 26th - Scarborough Jazz Festival
24th - 26th - Whitby 60's Spectacular
October
1st - 3rd - Autumn Steam Gala at North Yorkshire Moors Railway
15th - 17th - Railway at War at North Yorkshire Moors Railway
28th - 31st - Whitby Goth Weekend
November
9th - Scarborough Dance Festival
13th - 14th - Christmas Craft Festival at Duncombe Park
December
3rd - 5th - Robin Hood's Bay Victorian Weekend
4th/5th - 11th/12th - 18th/21st - Santa Specials at North Yorkshire Moors Railway