 |
| Some highlights of the North York Moors- the central area of the park is covered in another map below |
The North York Moors is one of England's national parks, and a beautiful one at that. It has a variety of amazing terrain, but it's most famous for the heather moorland, stretching over large areas of the park's 550 square miles. Scattered throughout the moors are a variety of boundary markers, crosses, mining ruins, and ancient settlements (not to mention hordes of sheep roaming free, and more grouse than you'd ever want to see). The best time to visit is now (August/September), when the heather is in bloom, casting the land in a brilliant purple.
Before I start the review, keep the following in mind:
- there are many areas I have yet to see; just because it isn't reviewed doesn't mean it isn't worth seeing
- I include Whitby, Scarborough, and Thirsk in this review. Whitby is surrounded by the park, but technically not a part of it. The others are nearby. "So what," I say.
Southwest
The highlights of the southwest moors are the white horse (near Kilburn), Byland Abbey, Helmsley (a quaint town, with a decent castle ruin), Rievaulx Abbey, Visitor's Centre (on the A170), and Sutton Bank (with amazing views). Outside the park, Thirsk is a quaint town and home of James Herriot (of All Creatures Great and Small fame). Rievaulx Abbey is probably my favorite abbey in all of England- not as big as Fountains Abbey, but there's something about it I just enjoy.
 |
| Entering the park from Kilburn |
 |
| The white horse- not much to it. |
 |
| Helmsley Castle |
 |
| Helmsley |
 |
| Rievaulx Abbey |
 |
| Rievaulx Abbey |
 |
| Rievaulx Abbey |
 |
| Rievaulx Abbey |
 |
| Rievaulx Abbey |
 |
| Byland Abbey |
 |
| Byland Abbey |
 |
| Byland Abbey |
 |
| Stained glass in Thirsk Church |
 |
| Thirsk Church |
 |
| Home of James Herriot |
 |
| Herriot House |
Northwest
Roseberry Topping is the highlight here, though Guisborough and its ruined priory are also nice. The views from Roseberry Topping are amazing on a clear day. To hike it, park in the town of Newton-under-Roseberry and walk to it.
 |
| Farm near Westerdale |
 |
| Guisborough Priory |
 |
| Roseberry Topping |
 |
| Guisborough |
 |
| View from Roseberry Topping |
 |
| Hiking up to the summit |
 |
| View from the summit |
 |
| Roseberry Topping |
Central
The highlight of the park, in my opinion. There are a number of beautiful moors, towns, and sites, and it's fun to just drive through them (but stopping and hiking is even nicer, if you can manage it). The Hole of Horcum, right on the A170 (near Levisham), is a natural amphitheater that's impressive; quaint towns like Goathland (with its Mallyan Spout waterfall), Egton Bridge, and Rosedale Abbey abound; and the drives between (for example) Glaisdale and Rosedale Abbey or Hutton-Le-Hole and Castleton are amazing. The first photo below is the driving plan we used, starting at the Hole of Horcum and ending at Roseberry Topping; it was a great drive. Finally, Pickering Castle and Thornton-le-Dale are nice places to visit.
 |
| A drive that hits highlights of the central moors |
 |
| The Hole of Horcum |
 |
| Hiking around the Hole of Horcum |
 |
| Looking north from the Hole of Horcum |
 |
| An antique car in Goathland |
 |
| Mallyan Spout |
 |
| Hiking to Mallyan Spout |
 |
| The drive from Egton Bridge to Rosedale Abbey |
 |
| A property marker |
 |
| The millenium cross, near Rosedale Abbey |
 |
| View looking down on Rosedale |
 |
| Ruins of mining operations, near Rosedale |
 |
| Young Ralph's Cross, on the drive from Hutton-le-Hole to Castleton |
 |
| Pickering Castle |
 |
| Pickering Castle |
 |
| Pickering Castle |
 |
| Thornton-le-Dale |
 |
| Thornton-le-Dale |
East
Whitby is the town of primary interest, featuring a ruined abbey, cool Church with graveyard that inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula, great views of the sea, and great fish and chips. I've heard good things about Robin Hood's Bay, just south of Whitby. Scarborough, southeast of the park, is okay.
 |
| Whitby |
 |
| Whitby |
 |
| Whitby |
 |
| Whitby |
 |
| Whitby |
 |
| Whitby |
 |
| Scarborough |
 |
| Scarborough |
Conclusion
Any national park can't been seen in its entirety in a day, or even a weekend. That said, the North York Moors is worth many visits, for those who live in the area. The beauty is varied and extensive, and will not disappoint.
Rating: A
No comments:
Post a Comment