Full-Day North Yorkshire Moors and Whitby in Winter from York

York, United Kingdom

This tour takes in the best of the North Yorkshire Moors. Its an ideal way to see the villages, market towns, moorland, and scenery associated with this stunning national park.  

Leaving York daily, this tour takes in the highlights of the area including Goathland, the stunning seaside town of Whitby, Helmsley, and the Vale of York. 

Tour is available on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from  October 30th 2017 to March 24th 2018..

Tour Highlights: 

• Pickering - the gateway to the Moors
• The North York Moors - time to take in the extensive moorland landscape
• Goathland - famous for Heartbeat and Harry Potter
• Whitby - with links to Dracula and Captain Cook
• Helmsley - a bustling traditional market town

Meet your guide at the prearranged location in central York. Then, settle into your seat aboard a comfortable minivan and travel to North York Moors National Park, one of the largest expanses of heather moorland in the United Kingdom.

Enter the national park through the ancient market town of Pickering, and then make your first stop in Goathland, which once featured as the setting of the English TV drama, Heartbeat. With time here spent at your leisure, perhaps pop into one of the local tea rooms for a drink and snack (own expense), or visit the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Station, which featured as Hogsmeade Station in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (originally published in England as Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone).

Continue through the countryside, passing charming villages such as Egton before stopping at Beggar’s Bridge. Spend a few moments snapping photos of the stone arch and hear from your guide how the elegant bridge is the focus of a romantic tale dating back to the time of the Spanish Armada.

Next, travel to the seaside town of Whitby for lunch. If you’ve brought food with you, sit at St Mary's Church, overlooking the harbour, enjoying a picnic. Alternatively, visit one of the famous Fish and Chip shops in around the harbour (own expense). Enjoy free time walking around Whitby, there is even time to enjoy the view from the Whale Bones.

With your appetite sated, travel deep into the heart of the national park. Admire the beautiful heather moorlands and watch out for grouse and other native wildlife. Then, stop at the old railway furnaces in Rosedale Abbey for panoramic views of the valley below.

Travel through Ryedale and then pause in the postcard-perfect village of Hutton-le-Hole, where sheep graze freely. Your last stop of the day is in Helmsley. Enjoy free time to explore the bustling market square or wander the dramatic castle ruins, then return to the minivan and travel back to York. Your day trip concludes with a drop-off at the original start point.

Review by:   Anjani K,    January 2017
The guide was talking only to the people sitting in the front and not explaining much about the places.

Review by:   Chuck,    December 2016
We thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Our driver/guide was very knowledgeable as well as being a safe and considerate driver who cared for the comfort and safety of his passengers. The pickup was on time and where it was supposed to be and we enjoyed a full day, getting to see some wonderful sights and experiencing Yorkshire far more than we would have done on ourselves. This tour is certainly worth the price and then some.