Robin Hood Bay, Whitby and the North York Moors

Highlights:
• The famous landscape of the North York Moors
• Historic port of Whitby
• Whitby Abbey
• Robin Hoods Bay.

We leave York heading east to the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors. Our first stop is the quaint town of Pickering. Here you can explore the historic Church of St Peter and St Paul and discover the amazing medieval murals adorning the Nave of the Church. Pickering is the southern terminus of the North York Moors Railway, England’s busiest heritage line where you might find a steam train waiting in the station.

From here we head into the moorland landscape, forged by nature and shaped by humans. We make a brief stop for photos at the famed Hole of Horcum, Legend has it was formed by Wade the Giant following an argument with his wife Bell.

We continue on to the famed smuggling village of Robin Hoods Bay. We will have approximately 1 hour to head down the steep and narrow path where you will meet the North Sea. There are plenty of independent shops to enjoy and for the more adventurous a maze of narrow winding paths that lead you through the hidden street that were used hundreds of years ago by the smugglers.

A short drive brings us to the historic Town of Whitby. This old port was once famous for fishing, whaling and is where Captain Cook set sail from to discover Australia. Here you will have 1 and 1/2 hours to explore the famous Abbey linked to Bram Stokers Dracula and have lunch in one of the towns many fish and chip shops. Discover the towns interesting independent shops including the famous Jet Jewellery stores where you might catch jewellery making in action.

After we leave Whitby we traverse the entire width of the park. There will be plenty of photo stops along the way as we discover why this landscape was designated a national park. High heather moorland is interspersed with deep cut valleys carved out during the Ice ages thousands of years ago, standing stones, burial mounds and stone crosses erected by the people of the moors over thousands of years.

We end the day with a relaxing stop in stunning village of Hutton le Hole. This village is made of stone cottages linked the wool industry of the area and many date back to the 17th century. A little stream cuts through the centre of the village which is lined with trees and white fencing. Sheep often are seen grazing on the village greens. It is often described as the prettiest village in the moors.

From Hutton Le Hole we head through the back roads through gently rolling scenery and pretty villages, weather depending we may spot York Mister 14 miles away and the Ruins of Sheriff Hutton Castle before arriving back into York.