Yorkshire Coast Guide

North York Moors

The North York Moors is a National Park rising from 50 metres above sea level at its southern edge to over 430 metres on Urra Moor. To the east the area is clearly defined by the cliffs of the North Sea coast where you will find Robin Hoods Bay. The northern and western boundaries are defined by the steep slopes on the edge of the Tees lowlands and the Vale of Mowbray. To the south lies the Vale of Pickering. It is one of the largest expanses of heather moorland in the United Kingdom. It covers an area of 554 square miles and it has a population of about 25,000. The North York Moors became a National Park in 1952, through the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949. It is dissected by a series of south flowing streams which include Pickering Beck.

Pickering is an ancient market town that lies on the edge of the North York Moors National Park. It sits at the foot of the Moors, overlooking the Vale of Pickering to the south. According to legend the town was founded by a certain king Peredurus around 270BC, however the town as it exists today is of medieval origin. The tourist venues of Pickering Castle, the North York Moors Railway and Beck Isle Museum have made Pickering popular with visitors in recent years. From here it is not far to vist Flamingoland which is one of the few sites in the UK to have a theme park and zoo in the same location. It also has a gym ,leisure centre, spa, golf course and holiday accommodation. The parks' emphasis is on their collection of African Animals, housed in the Lost Kingdom and African Plains. The water ride was designed to give a safari experience before its final drop, and meanders through Savannah style grasslands with Giraffe, Ostrich, Zebra, Hippo and Rhino. The ' Forgotten City Lion Reserve' is also located in the middle of the ride.

Also to the south of Pickering is Eden Camp Museum which occupies a former World War II prisoner of war camp with 33 huts. A visit to this unique Museum will transport you back in time to wartime Britain. You will experience the sights, sounds, even the smells of those dangerous years. This is no ordinary Museum - Not another Military Museum - Not a glass showcase Museum - They have reconstructed scenes using movement, lighting, sound, smells, even smoke machines to transport you back in time, to make you feel that you are there taking part in history. This award winning Museum has fascinating displays which hold the vital spirit which eventually triumphed in 1945. The superb and lifelike exhibits make a visit to Eden Camp a great day out for all the family.

Many visitors to the moors take part in outdoor pursuits, particularly walking. The moors have a network of rights-of-way almost 1400 miles in length. Popular walks include the Cleveland Way, which circles the moors, and has a section along the coast and the Lyke Wake Walk, which leads directly across the heart of the moors. The area also offers opportunities for cycling, mountain biking, and horse-riding. The steep banks on the edges of the park on three sides are used by several gliding clubs. The moors have not changed much in the past 50 years, and are often used as a backdrop to British television programmes and films.The series Heartbeat and the scenes of The Hogsmeade Station in the Harry Potter movies were filmed in Goathland. Dalby Forest is also host to many forms of entertainment throughout the year including outdoor concerts.

The preserved line of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway was first opened in 1836. The tunnel at Grosmont is believed to be one of the oldest railway tunnels in the world. Since then it has gone from strength to strength thanks to The North York Moors Historical Railway Trust and is now a major tourist attraction. Pickering Railway Station is the current terminus of the railway and serves the busy market town of Pickering. The station has recently been restored to its 1937 condition with help from the Heritage Lottery Fund. Original fixtures and fittings have been installed in the Booking Office and Parcels Office, as well as in the Tea Room. A park-and-ride service is provided to keep traffic out of the town during busy periods. The station is home to the railway's carriage workshops, and there is also a turntable. An authentic G.T Andrews design overall roof (of the type that existed from 1845 until 1952) will be restored to the station by about 2010 following the announcement of a second HLF grant, other work includes a Learning Centre and a Visitor Centre behind the down platform.