Why not make the North Yorkshire Moors your vacation base?
There are numerous activites and attractions if you make the North Yorkshire moors your vacation base. You can do lots of walks around the moors villages and easily visit the contrasting seaside resorts of
Whitby, Scarborough, Filey, Bridlington, Robin Hood's Bay, Saltburn and Runswick Bay. All are easily accessible.
A good place to visit and learn about the North Yorkshire moors is the Moors Centre at Danby. You can learn a lot about the area at the information centre and also explore the immediate locality with various walks. Another great place to walk in the North Yorkshire moors is at Sutton Bank. There are tremendous views on a clear day and you can watch the gliders taking off and landing on the nearby airfield. If you walk far enough you can see the famous landmark, the White Horse of Kilburn. The North Yorkshire Moors National Park service operate an information centre at the Sutton Bank car park area.
The Ryedale Folk Museum brings to life the local history of the North Yorkshire moors area. Numerous traditional buildings have been reconstructed to show how our ancestors lived and there are lots of local artifacts to see! Make sure you watch out for the many events at the museum. The folk museum is located in the picturesque village of Hutton-le-Hole. This village is very attractive and there are plenty of small shops and cafes for you. Try to catch one of the Sunday Car Boot sales in the village centre during the summer.
There is a brewery tour at the small village of
Cropton and it is a must do for any lover of locally brewed ales. The beers are so good that the big supermarkets are now stocking them. The Cropton Brewery is definitely putting Cropton on the map, so take the tour and sample some of the different beers. Cropton is an ideal central location for the North Yorkshire moors and it offers lots of accommodation options.
The Flamingo Land Zoo at Kirbymisperton has grown rapidly over the last few years. It is really a zoo and a theme park, with some really thrilling rides available. There are lots of animals to view and plenty of shows throughout the day. It really does offer something for everyone, so it is a good family day out.
Castle Howard has a magnificent house and the estate gardens are well worth a visit. You may be very familiar with Castle Howard because it has featured in many films with the main association being 'Brideshead Revisited'. The house has many superb paintings and treasures for you to see so take your time to enjoy them. The estate has some fantastic gardens and woodland walks. Castle Howard is in a wonderful setting and this is enhanced with a beautiful lake in front of the main building. Watch out for the many concerts held at Castle Howard. Most of them finish with a spectacular firework display. You can also visit the excellent garden centre at Castle Howard free of charge.
One of the best small museums around is the Beck Isle Museum in the small town of Pickering. This museum is a collection of objects from the local Ryedale area. It is housed in a Regency residence in the centre of Pickering. The main highlight is a collection of photographs by a man called Sydney Smith. He was a local Pickering man, but his photos were so good that they have gained him a world wide following.
Whilst you are in
Pickering it is great fun to travel on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. It is certainly one of the best ways to see the moors. Around 18 miles of beautiful moorland scenery is available to you. Probably the best time to go on the train is during August because the purple heather totally carpets the moors. When you arrive at the destination of Goathland you are in the midst of Heartbeat country. The popular TV Series uses this area as its main location.
The fascinating museum at Eden Camp, near Malton, is a trip back in time. You can get a fascinating glimpse into what life was like during the 2nd World War. The sights, sounds and smells of that period in history are recreated at this unique museum. Try and capture the war time spirit with a visit to Eden Camp.
Helmsley has it's Walled Garden. It is very beautiful and the setting is magnificent with the local Helmsley Castle forming a spectacular backdrop to it. It is a tranquil place and ideal for a quiet picnic. Helmsley castle is well worth a visit too. There are lots of excellent shops in Helmsley so you can enjoy a varied day there. Watch out for the market day on fridays.
The Sea Life Centre is located at the lovely North Bay,
Scarborough and it is housed in some very distinctive ‘Pyramids’. It has masses of marine life on display and if you are vigilant you may ‘find nemo’ there! It is well worth a visit.
All the above will keep you busy but one of the main attractions of the North Yorkshire moors is the wide open spaces and lovely scenery. Not forgetting the FREE fresh air. The tourist offices are extremely helpful and they will point you in the right direction. Recharge your batteries and visit England’s best kept vacation secret!
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