North Yorkshire Moors self guided walking holidays

The North Yorkshire Moors National Park is an extensive upland plateau, a vast expanse of heather moorland which at its eastern edge, ends abruptly in a dramatic coastline of soaring cliffs. To the west the plateau falls away to create the Cleveland escarpment, which affords superb views across the Vale of Mowbray to the Yorkshire Dales. In places the plateau is dissected by dales, some broad and sweeping and others steep-sided and intimate. These secluded valleys are lined with pasture enclosed by stone walls, and contain attractive broad-leaved woodlands and stone-built villages characterised by red tiled roofs.

Picture: Hawnby Moor - britainonview/Joe Cornish

There are few motor roads across the plateau but ancient tracks and pathways still exist and the weathered stone crosses which mark the these routes create an atmosphere of mystery and timelessness. Evidence of Bronze Age occupation can be seen in the tumuli and stone circles dotted across the moor. Wildlife is plentiful with moorland birds such as Grouse, Curlew, Golden Plover, Ring Ouzel and Merlin on the high ground, Dippers, Kingfishers and songbirds in the valleys and a multitude of seabirds on the coastal cliffs.

Guests will sample all aspects of the National Park and highlights will include the wonderful views from the Cleveland Escarpment and the summit of Roseberry Topping; the attractive Eskdale villages of Glaisdale, Egton Bridge and Grosmont; the view down onto the red-roofed cottages of Robin Hood's Bay; the attractive harbour at Staithes and Cowbar Nab; the historic port of Whitby; and the space and expansiveness of the high plateau.

Bed & Breakfast option

Your holiday on the North Yorkshire Moors will be based at a comfortable family-run guest house in the delightful village of Grosmont. Your room will have ensuite facilities (private bathroom) and you will have a choice of continental or full English breakfast. Grosmont has an inn which serves food in the evening and there are also excellent inns in neighbouring villages.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast option

Your holiday on the North Yorkshire Moors will be based at Gisborough Hall Hotel [ETC/AA****], a magnificent country house which stands in extensive wooded grounds, close to the picturesque market town of Guisborough, on the eastern edge of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. Gisborough Hall is a member of the prestigious Macdonald group of hotels and has an enviable reputation for luxurious accommodation, fine cuisine and an atmosphere of Victorian elegance. All bedrooms have ensuite facilities (private bathroom).

• Introduction
• Far West Cornwall
• North Cornwall
• South Devon Coast
• Exmoor National Park
• Dorset World Heritage Coast
• West Wiltshire Downs
• The Cotswolds
• Pembrokeshire Coast National Park
• Derbyshire Dales
• Central Lake District National Park
• Northern Lake District National Park
• Yorkshire's Northern Dales
• Yorkshire Limestone Dales
• North Yorkshire Moors
• Hadrian's Wall Country
• Northumberland Coast
• The Tweed Valley and Scottish Borders