Places to Visit

The Moors

Pickering is the nearest market town of any real note. Fine for any shopping needs, but not for the day out.

But it is the starting point for the famous North York Moors Railway, with old steam engines taking you through the Moors to Whitby at the coast, passing through Goathland Station which was used in the Harry Potter films as Hogwarts Station.

For those preferring to drive, meandering through the villages can take in Heartbeat Country, and the National Park Visitor Centre at Danby. A little further away is Dalby Forest…excellent for cycling around but can get busy in high season.

To the West is Helmsley with its old castle ruins, and the Walled Gardens and its tea shop. The shops are relatively upmarket, and coffee shops worth trying, with the Black Swan tea room serving a well recognised afternoon tea. On the edge of the town is Duncombe Park, which is also the base of the Birds of Prey Centre.

Into the Howardian Hills to the south, Nunnington houses the nearest National Trust property at Nunnington Hall. Small but ‘cosy’ with a decent tea room and peacocks in the garden.

Further on is Castle Howard, which can be a full day out. Acres of lovely grounds, a house worth a look and an excellent adventure set up at Skelf Island for little ones to teenagers. Boat rides in the lake in summer, the best wall garden in the area, and the best European collection of Azaleas, and Rhododendrons in the woods.

Malton is nearby. Make sure you go into the town square, and don’t be put off by the rods around the outside. Malton is largely owned by the Fitzwilliam family who have established it as the food capital of North Yorkshire over the past few years. So the best place to go to for local specialities. Wander into Talbot Court for the best gin at Bluebird Gin…distilled on the premises, that you will taste, and Roost Coffee, roasted on the premises, that supplies most of the upmarket ‘eateries’ around. The Grumpy Moo ice cream shop will keep you choosing flavours for hours, or spend half an hour in Yo Bakehouse to enjoy cheese scones with chilly jam. Several small shops to enjoy too, and in particular the Woodlark in the Shambles, selling beautiful food boards made from local wood….several examples in the cottage!

Children will want to spend the day at Flamingo Land just south of Pickering. It’s not exactly Disneyland, and can be busy in holiday periods, but most kids will come away having enjoyed themselves.

Nearer to Rosedale…in reasonable walking distance Hutton le Hole is one of the prettiest villages around, and has a couple of tea shops. In the centre is the Ryedale Folk Museum showcasing what the area looked like 500 years ago.

Nearby is Lastingham, again pretty, with the main attraction the Norman crypt in the church which houses the remains of St Cedd…lots of history in there, and the best pub around just over the road!

The Coast

The coast is only about 25 minutes away. Surprisingly there are some white sand beaches but do remember it’s the North Sea!

Whitby is the nearest coastal town, famed for its connections with Dracula. You love Whitby, or are not so keen, but it does offer good sea based activities, for both fishing and seal watching. It does boast the best fish and chips around too, which is probably fair.

Just North of Whitby is Sandsend, which has a very good, safe beach for children (although not much else), and Runswick Bay, with its car free cliff village and a pub with a wonderful sea view.

And to the South of Whitby is Robin Hoods Bay, full of character, more tourism based, with its art galleries, little shops eateries and coffee shops.

In decent weather, but about 50 minutes drive from Rosedale is Ravenscar. Park by the visitor centre and walk down the path to the right of the centre, by the side of the golf course and down the steep path to the sea….where you will find a colony of 300 sea lions, literally within touch……quite special when they are there.

The City

York is the city within reach and a good day out. Pedestrian streets meander through the city within the Roman city walls. Full of small shops and plenty to buy! And the wonder of York Minster. Don’t miss visiting the famous Railway Museum near the station. A free attraction with the best selection of old trains from around the world that exists anywhere, and good for visitors of every age.

Our favourite walks

There are plenty of great walks around Rosedale with plenty of paths.

Be aware that the weather can change quite quickly on the Moors, so do be prepared for horizontal rain and mist even if the sun is shining when you leave and wear robust footwear.

On most of the Moors you should find a mobile signal, but not everywhere, and the weather can be an influence.

We all have our favourite walks, but ours are those that give a half-way stop at a pub. There is a selection in the following pages.

Walk 6

Gives you half the walk along a lovely valley, and the return over the Moor and down Chimney Bank. A nice mix. When you get to the bench just above Lastingham, make sure you go through the gate off the Moor and down into Lastingham village. Immediately after the gate is The Grange Hotel. Although it might not look it from the outside, the gardens are an absolute delight and it’s well worth a morning coffee or afternoon tea. Equally, in the village, the Blacksmiths Arms is a very welcome stop, with good pub food. The village church is worth a visit with its famous crypt.

Walk 8

Takes in Hutton-le-Hole, and Lastingham. By choice we would leave from Rosedale, rather than driving to Hutton-le-Hole to start. By walking up Chimney Bank (that very steep road from Rosedale that is a compulsory challenge for anyone visiting Rosedale!) you can join the walk at the top of Chimney Bank and do the circuit from there. Good pubs in both, and coffee/tea/ice creams/sandwiches in both, and both lovely villages in their own rights. Starting from Rosedale adds about a mile.

A walk along the old railway line

From the top of Chimney Bank (you can park there if you can’t face the hill!) there is a three and a half mile flat walk along the old iron ore railway line to the Lion Inn (often cut off in winter). Easy on the knees and great for biking, with lovely views in both directions, and a pint at the Lion in the middle. You can’t get lost!

Two coast walks we like

Canton Bay to Filey

The return walk is about 12 miles. You can’t really get lost as this follows the Cleveland Way.

Caton Bay is about 45 minutes drive from Rosedale, but is well worth it for the beach and the coast views as you walk to Filey, which is one of the less commercialised locations on the coast. Several fish and chips shops when you arrive….none particularly good. We find sandwiches a better option! But the views are stunning.

Sandsend to Runswick Bay

Summary map in the folder. The circular walk is over the 7 miles indicated, but rather than doing the circular walk, at Runswick Bay, go down into the village (take care…the path down is steep and usually wet and slippery), wander round and enjoy the nicest situated pub on the North Yorks coast. Then walk back along the coast again, which is much more pleasant than the inland paths suggested by the circular walk.