Yorkshire Moors and Dales
England
England's great northern landscape circuit, the North York Moors' purple heather, the Gothic ruins of Whitby Abbey where Bram Stoker set Dracula, the Dales' dry-stone-walled valleys, the market town of Hawes (Wensleydale cheese capital), and Swaledale's remote fell farms. The setting of James Herriot's All Creatures Great and Small.
Explore on the interactive map →Stops along the route
- York
The largest Gothic cathedral north of the Alps anchors a city layered with Roman, Viking, and medieval history. The Shambles and Jorvik Viking Centre pack extraordinary depth into a walkable centre.
- Pickering
The southern terminus of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, where steam trains puff north through 29 km of moorland to Whitby. The 13th-century castle keep overlooks a classic market town.
- Whitby
Benedictine abbey ruins from 657 AD crown the cliff above a harbour where Bram Stoker conceived Dracula in 1890. Climb the 199 steps, eat a smoked kipper, and watch the fishing boats below.
- Robin Hood's Bay
A smugglers' village of red-roofed cottages tumbling down a ravine to a rocky fossil beach. The Cleveland Way coastal path reaches its most dramatic stretch here above the shale cliffs.
- Hutton-le-Hole
One of England's prettiest moorland villages, with white-washed cottages straddling Hutton Beck on a wide green. The Ryedale Folk Museum preserves 13 historic buildings rescued from across the moors.
- Helmsley
A handsome market town and gateway to the western moors. Rievaulx Abbey's 12th-century Cistercian ruins stand in a serene river valley 3 km west, among the most beautiful monastic remains in England.
- Hawes
The Wensleydale Creamery has produced its crumbly white cheese since Cistercian monks brought the recipe in 1150. Wallace and Gromit's devoted fandom famously saved the creamery from closure in 1992.
- Swaledale
The most remote Yorkshire Dale, a valley of hay meadows blazing with wildflowers in June, ancient drystone walls, and fell farms. Reeth's green is the perfect perch for a Dales pub lunch.
- Richmond
A Norman keep rises above the Swale Gorge beside the finest cobbled market square in the north. The Georgian Theatre Royal of 1788 is the most complete Georgian playhouse surviving anywhere in England.
Where to Eat
- The Feversham ArmsBritish
An AA Rosette award-winning pub in Helmsley, offering sophisticated dining with locally sourced Yorkshire produce.
- The Wensleydale HeiferSeafood
Renowned for its fresh seafood and traditional British dishes, this Leyburn restaurant is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.
- The Sandpiper InnBritish
A charming ivy-clad pub in Leyburn, offering seasonal menus with locally sourced ingredients in a cozy setting.
- Yorebridge HouseBritish
A fine dining restaurant in Bainbridge, known for its tasting menus featuring the best of British flavors.
Things to Do
- Whitby AbbeyHistoric Site
Explore the ruins of this 7th-century monastery, offering panoramic views of the North Sea and inspiring Bram Stoker's 'Dracula'.
- Rievaulx AbbeyHistoric Site
Discover the impressive ruins of one of England's most powerful Cistercian monasteries, nestled in a tranquil valley near Helmsley.
- Aysgarth FallsNature
Witness the stunning triple flight of waterfalls on the River Ure, a popular spot for walkers and nature enthusiasts.
- Ribblehead ViaductLandmark
Marvel at this 19th-century engineering feat, a 24-arch viaduct set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire Dales.