Holiday rentals in North York Moors

Consisting of moorland, coastline, forests, and fields, and packed full of delightful attractions and outdoor adventures, the North York Moors has a little something for everybody. At its heart there’s the 554 square miles of North York Moors National Park, which is slightly less celebrated compared to the nearby Lake District and Yorkshire Dales. But this is, of course, perfect for the intrepid visitor, as you’ll get to enjoy the wondrous walking trails and landscape all to yourself. While you’ll want to dust off those walking boots and get out your waterproofs, there’s more than yomping on offer. There are delightful seaside towns such as Robin Hood’s Bay and Whitby, spectacular ruins like those at Rievaulx Abbey and Mount Grace Priory, and watery wonders like Cod Beck Reservoir and Gormire Lake, plus spectacular stargazing at a number of Dark Skies sites. But for all these distractions, it’s the majesty of the countryside that you’re here to encounter, trundling along from one picture-perfect village to the next, fuelling up on cream teas and fat rascals (a local delicacy), and taking in the breathtaking scenery.

There are plenty of delights throughout the year in the North York Moors, though you might encounter some precipitation in this part of the world (always pack your waterproofs), with October, November, and December being the wettest months. The area’s famous heather moorland is blooming most impressively during the summer and early autumn. The seaside towns along the North Sea coast are crammed with summer fun and lovely beaches, while music acts visit Scarborough throughout the year. And for those of a slightly darker nature, Whitby’s famous Goth Weekend takes place around, unsurprisingly, Halloween. The charming town of Helmsley is a very popular place to spend Christmas break.

Captain Cook Memorial Museum

This enchanting museum in Whitby occupies the 17th-century home of the ship owner with whom the famed seafarer started his nautical career. He also had many of his ships built in the town’s dockyards. You’ll see various artefacts and ephemera from Cook’s renowned career and expeditions plus various temporary exhibitions celebrating the sea and the figures who loomed large in Cook’s life.

The Moor to Sea Cycle Network

Whether you’re a mild weekend pedaller or a full-throttle downhill racer, fans of two-wheeled vehicular activity are required to make a pilgrimage at least once in their riding lives to this flagship cycling route. There are around 150 miles to tackle here, taking around 5 to 7 days from Scarborough to Dalby, featuring coastline, moorland and forest.

Ryedale Folk Museum

Immersing visitors in 4,000 years of local history, this eye-opening museum explores the roots of rural life in the region and celebrates a way of life that’s now vanished. Located in the picturesque village of Hutton-le-Hole near Pickering, you’ll encounter a model village, period artefacts, and costumes (that you can dress up in!), as well as a multitude of interactive exhibitions dedicated to farming and the craftspeople that populated the area.