THE LOCAL AREA
THE LOCAL AREA
Pickering is a fantastic location for a visit to North Yorkshire, there’s plenty for everyone to enjoy whether it be history and culture, days out and tea shops, excitement or nature, there really is something for everyone.
The bustling high street has a good choice of pubs, cafés, restaurants and independent shops, with many selling locally sourced produce. Treat yourself to a hand made chocolate from the chocolatier or a delicious ice cream from the ice cream parlour. Browse in the gift shops or the gin shop for presents and treats. On Mondays’ market you can buy artisan bread, cheeses, fish
and seafood, olives and much more; on the first Thursday of each month there is also a farmers' market.
Take the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
and travel by steam train through 24 miles of the spectacular scenery of the National Park to Whitby. Climb to the top of Pickering Castle
which has guarded the town since
medieval times and has had no fewer than six English kings staying there. In the parish church of St Peter and St Paul you can see the magnificent 15th-century murals or visit the Beck Isle Museum of Rural Life
which celebrates 200 years of local history.
A few miles away you can take a walk to the fascinating archaeological site of Cawthorn Roman Camps, there's an easy access path and panoramic views for miles over the moors. For real ale lovers, take a tour of the New Inn's
microbrewery in the village of Cropton or head to nearby Cropton Forest or Dalby Forest for wildlife watching, walking and cycling trails and woodland picnics.
on our doorstep
There are so many places to visit that we have only included a few of our favourites and have
provided links for further information.
The North York Moors, a national park and one of the largest expanses of heather moorland in the UK, is bordered by the awe-inspiring North Sea coast cliffs and the Cleveland and Hambleton Hills. Wild and windswept, the landscape of the North York Moors is breath taking. Visitors will find miles of purple heather moorland, pine forests and pretty dales. The space and solitude of the moors and its hidden dales contrasts with the quaint villages and towns found dotted in and around the area. They provide excellent opportunities to stop for coffee and a cake, a meal or for a taste of culture and tradition, from ancient castles to modern day attractions. Many visit for the outdoor activities on offer. There are thousands of miles of paths and tracks to follow on the moors, from short strolls to day treks and a number of long distance footpaths for serious walkers.
Cyclists will also find quiet lands and off-road bike trails, many visit Dalby forest or the Cinder
Track along the coast. For a more leisurely but no less stunning experience, travel the 18 mile
journey on the steam railway from Pickering to the famous ‘Heartbeat’ village of Grosmont, then back on board to the delightful coastal harbour of Whitby.
Visit popular destinations in and around the national park. Rievaulx and Byeland Abbey are both spectacular and, as well as Pickering castle, Helmsley and Scarborough both have ancient
castles. For family-friendly options, try the grounds of Castle Howard, Flamingoland or the themed history museum at Eton Camp. Plant lovers will enjoy the gardens and excellent café at the contemporary Walled Garden of Scampston or the scented fields and amazing panoramic views of Yorkshire Lavender.
the coast
Discover the Yorkshire Coast, stretching from Spurn Point in the south to the victorian seaside resort of Saltburn-by-the-Sea in the North, this unique stretch of coastline boasts a string of diverse seaside towns and villages, from traditional resorts such as Bridlington, Filey, and Scarborough, to picture-perfect fishing communities like Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay, Runswick Bay and Staithes. They have a quirky, independent charm of their own often with winding streets and tiny cottages, each one has its own tale to tell, from smuggling to pioneering high seas adventurers. What’s more the very special 26-mile strip of heritage coastline is dinosaur country! The unspoilt coastline has footprints and fossils from the Jurassic Age in the cliffs and rocks at the water's edge. Towering sea cliffs tumble down to beautiful sandy beaches and sheltered coves. With cliff-top footpaths to walk, rugged cliffs with views to savour, hidden bays to discover, fish and chips or crab sandwiches, water sports or rock pooling - The Yorkshire Coast it has it all.
