Moor to Sea Cycle Route

 

A cycle trail linking the towns of Scarborough, Pickering and Whitby. Crossing through pleasant forests, wild open moorland and travelling along the spectacular Heritage Coast, the eighty mile Moor to Sea Cycle route takes in some of the most varied and dramatic scenery in North Yorkshire.

Holmleigh Guest House

Bed & Breakfast In Whitby

The region is one of the most beautiful corners of England with ruined castles and abbeys, stately homes and gardens in abundance, and much, much more.  There is something for everyone, whether you enjoy lazing around on the long sandy beaches, strolls in the countryside, shopping in the bustling market towns or visiting historic sites.

For the more energetic visitor, there are over 2,200k of paths and tracks to explore with many opportunities for, walking, cycling and horse riding. Golf, and water sports enthusiasts are equally well catered for as are sea, game and coarse anglers.

Esk Valley Walk

 

Follows the River Esk from its source high on The North Yorks Moors to the coast at Whitby. This 56k route through Eskdale can be divided into the circular section starting from Castleton and the straight section heading towards the coast. The river attracts much wildlife, including herons and kingfishers. On rare occasions, otters have  been seen basking in the sun on the banks near the riverside village of Ruswarp. Seal pups have been sighted in and around Whitby harbour entrance.

Cleveland Way National Trail

 

 

The 177k (109 mile) Cleveland Way National Trail travels through some of the finest landscapes in the country, from Helmsley to Filey, taking in wild and beautiful heather moorland scenery before reaching the dramatic cliffs and historic fishing villages of the North Yorkshire and Cleveland Heritage Coast. This diverse  area is steeped in history.

The Inn Way

 

A circular route of 142k which passes thirty one traditional English pubs! The quaint Birch Hall Inn at Beck Hole (right) also doubles as the village shop.  Starting at the market town of Helmsley, it takes walkers through the popular villages of Hutton-Le-Hole, Rosedale Abbey and Goathland.

 

 

 

The Esk Valley is well served by the Moorbus during the summer months which is an ideal way to see the fine scenery and the pretty unspoilt villages of Eskdale.  It is a good idea to go “green” and travel without the problem of parking your car. The  Danby Moors Centre,  the National Park Authority Visitor’s centre, is well worth a visit with activities for all the family taking place throughout the year.

 

There is an abundance of wildlife with opportunities for birdwatching as The National Trust owns and protects over 40 miles of the coastline from Saltburn in the north to Filey in the south, providing sanctuary for many types of wildlife from orchids to nesting birds and protecting vulnerable habitats.

Moreover, the coastline is most famous for its connections with Captain James Cook, one of Britain’s greatest seafarers and explorers. Born in Marton near Middlesbrough he moved to the tiny fishing village of Staithes at the age of sixteen before finally becoming a naval apprentice in Whitby where he learnt his seafaring skills. The Captain Cook Tour follows a circular country tour of some 70 miles by car, is fully signposted and can be completed in less than a day.

 

Ryedale

 

In the heart of Yorkshire lie the many visitor attractions of Ryedale. The Dalby Forest and its facilities which are accessed from the 9 mile Dalby Forest Drive toll road with free admission for Moorsbus users, walkers and cyclists, comes into its own during autumn when it is resplendent with seasonal colour.  Nearby, is the attractive award winning village of Thornton-le-dale. Centred  around a green with an ancient stone cross and village stocks, the village has a crystal clear trout stream meandering through, crossed by a number of small bridges.  Hutton-le-Hole is another attractive village which lies on the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park. Set around sheep grazed greens bisected by Hutton Beck, Hutton-le Hole is the home of the Ryedale Folk Museum

 

Between the two huge wooded areas of Cropton Forest and Dalby Forest lies an immense natural amphitheatre, the Hole of Horcum, a popular visitor attraction which has a viewing point with car parking and picnic areas.

 

Farndale is resplendent with daffodils each spring and is a tourist attraction in its own right, capturing the interest of thousands of visitors to the North York Moors.  A carpet of gold stretches for 7 miles (11k) of the dale and visitors come to saunter the dale from Low Mill to Church Houses.

Eden Camp and Flamingo Land near Pickering are well worth a visit and only a little bit further afield, are two fine jewels in the Yorkshire crown; Castle Howard, and Rievaulx Abbey.  The towns of Pickering, Helmsley, Kirkby Moorside and Malton are bustling with traditional street markets on market days.

The historic city of York is less than an hour’s drive away across the moors, with its famous visitor attractions including York Minster, and  the National Railway Museum and the City Walls, which are both free. York is well served by excellent award winning Park and Ride facilities.

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In addition to the fine maritime and historical visitor attractions of Whitby, there are three miles of long sandy beach stretching from the town to the aptly named picture postcard village of Sandsend.  A short stroll away are Mulgrave Woods, home to three castles notably the old romantic ruins of old Mulgrave Castle which can be explored on foot. The estate grounds are open to the public on Wednesdays and weekends (except May). On the West Cliff, there are many family attractions including the Pavilion Complex, Whitby Leisure Centre and Indoor Pool, boating, paddling pool and crazy golf  whilst Whitby Golf Club is only a few minutes drive away on the coastal road to nearby Sandsend.  In the Esk Valley, there’s mini golf with café, licensed bar facilities, and pleasure boating at nearby Ruswarp.

Out  and About

The area is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts: the North Yorks Moors National Park and Heritage Coast are literally on our doorstep.  Within a few hundred yards of Holmleigh you can begin to explore this magnificent landscape via the pannier ways, ancient stone trods and stone crosses built many centuries ago for travellers long since disappeared.  The Cleveland Way National Trail traverses the town and  the smuggler’s cove of Robin Hood’s Bay, the end of Wainwright’s famous Coast to Coast Walk, can be accessed on foot or bike from Whitby via the old Scarborough /Whitby Cycle Rail Trail.  

 

“Cycle the Coasts” is a set of four off road cycle routes  between 11 and 17k long which pass through scenic countryside with many opportunities to stop and enjoy the views are also a great way to spend the day out with the family. The routes stretch from Whitby to Hawsker, Lythe to Mickleby, Cloughton to Staintondale and Robin Hood’s Bay to Ravenscar. There is cycle hire at Hawsker and in the Dalby Forest.

Activities in The Area