The North Yorkshire Moors are an admirable travel destination if you are holidaying in the UK this year. But, how much is there to see and do there? I've been going there nigh on every year for more than 25 years, so I will share a tip or two with you!
For television fans, loads of will know that the well-liked television series of Heartbeat was filmed in the North Yorkshire Moors for lots of years. Still on our screens, the filming has ended, but yet the villages are still packed with holidaymakers. So where was it filmed if you want to see the scenery? Well most of it was based round the beautiful village of Goathland, which lies on the Pickering to Whitby road, not a long way from RAF Fylingdales. It is a attractive village that is off the beaten track, but very busy now following its Heartbeat years.
But it is not just Hearbeat that has been filmed there. Clever fans will also know that the first of the Harry Potter films used the Goathland station for filming. It can be amusing watching a train load of tourists emptying out - the children saying Harry Potter and the adults conversing Heartbeat.
Whitby is a pretty harbour town on the North Yorkshire Moors coast not too faraway from Goathland. With lots of trips there and a regular train service, it is a well-liked holiday spot. There is a lot to see and do there that Whitby becomes a whole description of its very own! Plenty of tourists will turn up by train and not leave the town. Well worth a visit.
Heading inland there is Pickering to visit, which lies at the opposite end of the North York Moors Railway that links Pickering to Grosmont, plus now extends to Whitby. With masses of shopping on offer and a short drive to Dalby Forrest and the drive and entertainments there, Pickering also has a variety of holiday accommodation.
Whilst in Pickering there is the English Heritage owned Pickering Castle to visit and I always enjoy a trip down to the Trout Farm, which lies next to the Railway. Here you can see ponds full of rainbow trout, being bread and reared for sale to various lakes and shops. You can buy fresh Trout on site, always worth the trip, or pop next door to the fishing lake and try out some trout fishing. A variety of rod rentals are obtainable and you take home everything you catch to eat. Fresh trout from the lake, what a treat!
Whilst travelling to the area to see the filming in progress is no longer a possibility, the area still retains its charm and appeal. The scenery is stunning and there is a load to see and do. I always enjoy a long weekend or even a whole week trip to the area. Take your walking boots, some waterproofs and enjoy your holiday.