Things to do in

Rosedale East Side

Explore the best of Whitby and the North Yorkshire Moors on this captivating full-day tour to one of Britain's most scenic areas. explore some of its many famous historical sites and adventure across the spectacular landscape, before evoking memories of the past by jumping on the famous North York Moors Railway. (Please note, the train runs March-October) Here you’ll take a trip to the seaside town of Whitby once you arrive in the town it would be rude not to sample the famous Fish and Chips before exploring the historic port town. A short drive out through the city and northwards shortly brings us to one of Yorkshire finest ruins. Byland Abbey which stands just inside the boundary of the North York Moors National Park. One of over 70 Monastic ruins in Yorkshire, it helps to put Yorkshires incredible history into perspective. From Byland we head through the ancient forests surrounding Wass and climb up Wass Bank and onward to the famous old market town of Helmsley, meaning “Helms” Flowery Meadow. Helmsley has been an important settlement for at least 1500 years. Take a little break from the bus to explore the independent shops, use the facilities and grab some refreshments. Your guide will explain the regions place in history, including, burial mounds, religion, farming, mining, the industrial revolution and much more. You will be driven to places that many people don’t know of. Truly off the beaten track, down winding country lanes, through deep cut glacial valleys and up high over the brooding windswept heather moorland that covers a third of this breathtaking landscape. Before long you will arrive in “Heartbeat Country”, taken from the popular TV show Heartbeat and into “Aidensfield” itself. Goathland is the real name of the charming village that was the setting for the classic show set in the 1960’s. You will get a chance for a photo in the village before proceeding to the very quaint old railway station the once doubled as “Hogsmeade” Station in the Harry Potter films. You will then have the chance to join the historic North York Moors Railway for a nostalgic steam journey to the popular seaside town of Whitby. (Please note: 26th-29th September 2024 no steam trains will be included in the tour due to the annual steam gala). You will arrive in Whitby at approximately 13.55. Your guide will meet you and give you directions to the many options available, some will be ready for the famed fish and chips in Whitby, your guide will recommend where to go! Others will prefer to learn about Captain Cook who set sail from Whitby on the Bark Endeavor to discover Australia. Perhaps you want to Visit Whitby Abbey, synonymous with Dracula. What ever you prefer your guide will offer his best advice. You will have up to 2 hours free time in Whitby before rejoining the bus and heading back across the moors and returning to York. Please Note: 26th-29th September, no steam trains will be running on this tour due to the annual steam gala.

Leave the city and travel through the Vale of York, learning about life in Yorkshire as you head for the first stop in the traditional National Park village of Hutton-le-Hole. Pass the 16th-century Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge at the highest point of the moors. See some of the pretty villages on the way to Whitby and hear stories from the seaside town’s history. Choose how you want to spend your two and a half hours in Whitby. See the Abbey, visit the Captain Cook attractions, shop for gothic fashion or enjoy a fish and chips lunch, the choice is yours. Opt to spend less time in Whitby and climb aboard a steam train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway at a special discounted rate, paid locally on the day. See Hogsmeade Station from the Harry Potter movies and more. Alternatively, journey to Goathland by minibus in time see the other passengers arrive by steam train. Explore the fictional village of Aidensfield from the TV show, Heartbeat. Learn the history behind the mysterious RAF Fylingdales Pyramid on Snod Hill and see the Hole of Horcum before heading back towards York through the Howardian Hills with panoramic views of Castle Howard.

The tour heads out of the hustle and bustle of the city for a scenic drive through the Vale of York. The first stop is at the Kilburn White Horse hill figure on the boundary of the North York Moors National Park, where your guide will tell you the story of how it was carved into the hillside in 1857. The next stop is in the picturesque market town of Helmsley, where you can view the medieval castle, explore the quaint shops, or just have a leisurely Yorkshire brew in one of the cafés. After Helmsley, you will head off through Hutton-le-Hole into the heart of the scenic North York Moors National Park for some photo stops, passing the 16th century Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge (the highest point on the Moors) and Ralph’s Cross.   Then, stop in the quaint and picturesque Yorkshire village of Lealholm to see the stepping-stones over the River Esk — a great photo opportunity. It is then just a short journey into Whitby. Whilst hearing stories about the seaside town’s history from your guide, you will also learn about the main places of interest that you may want to visit. As you arrive in Whitby, there will be a brief stop at the Captain Cook Statue and Whalebone Arch on the West Cliff then alternative drop-offs at the harbour or Whitby Abbey (recommended if you wish to start your visit there and avoid having to climb the 199 steps).   You will have a leisurely 3 hours of free time in Whitby where you can visit the town’s newest attraction, The Endeavour Experience — 1 of only 2 full-size replicas of the HM Bark Endeavour in existence. See also the Captain Cook Museum, take the Bark Endeavour scale replica boat trip around the harbour, or view Whitby Abbey, inspiration for the Dracula books. You may also just explore the shops and market of the seaside town and experience fish and chips from the famous Magpie Café. After Whitby, you will head back onto the North York Moors and arrive in the picture-postcard village of Goathland (filming location for Aidensfield in the Heartbeat television series and Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter movies) where you can explore the filming locations, or maybe just grab an ice cream from the village store. The tour leaves Goathland for a final stop to enjoy the stunning views at the Hole of Horcum before heading back to York.

Set in the 1960’s, Heartbeat proved a hit with audiences all over the world for nearly two decades.  Now, you can visit the locations of Aidensfield and Whitby where much of the show was filmed. The 7-hour tour will take you to some of the key locations from the show and showcase the beautiful scenery and history of the North Yorkshire Moors.  Setting off from York your first stop of the day will be Whitby, the seaside town perhaps most famously linked with Dracula and Captain Cook, but which featured as itself in Heartbeat. Here, you will get a guided tour of the town taking in locations used in the filming of the show.  Then you’ll have the opportunity to take lunch in one of the town’s world-renowned fish and chip shops. Finally, it’s off to the village of Aidensfield, the village most associated with the show and where most of the locations can be found.  A guided tour of this charming village will include Bernie Scripps Garage and Funeral Parlour, plus the train station that was featured as Aidensfield station in Heartbeat and as Hogsmeade in the first Harry Potter film. You will also see the post office and stores and, of course, there will be time to treat yourself to a drink in the Aidensfield Arms pub. Your tour will then return to central York.

Explore the North York Moors National Park by train on a day trip from London. Discover the Moors on a guided bus tour, enjoy a ride on a charming steam train, and take some time to explore the quaint town of Whitby. Begin your day at London's Kings Cross Station and hop on a train to York. Gaze out the window as you pass through the calming English countryside with its rolling hills and bucolic landscapes. Upon arrival in York meet your local guide to start your bus tour of the North York Moors. Head into the North York Moors National Park where you will discover the beautiful landscapes and historical sites before heading to the coast. First. stop at Byland Abbey, one of Yorkshire's best-preserved ruins. From Byland head through the ancient forests surrounding Wass and climb up Wass Bank and onward to the famous old market town of Helmsley, meaning “Helms” Flowery Meadow. Take a short break from the bus to explore the independent shops, use the facilities, and grab some refreshments. Learn about the area's historic significance including, burial mounds, religion, farming, mining, the Industrial Revolution, and much more. Traverse off the beaten track, down winding country lanes, through deep-cut glacial valleys, and up high over the windswept heather moorland. Arrive in “Heartbeat Country”, taken from the popular TV show Heartbeat. Stop in the charming village of Goathland that was the setting for the classic show set in the 1960s. Head to the old railway station that once doubled as “Hogsmeade” Station in the Harry Potter films. Then, join the historic North York Moors Railway for a nostalgic steam journey to the popular seaside town of Whitby. Upon arrival, enjoy 2 hours of free time to discover the town, with plenty of recommendations from your guide. Hop on the bus and travel back across the moors to York. Finally, board the train back to London's Kings Cross station.

-This online travel guidebook helps you create a bespoke road trip to help with planning your break before you travel as well as when you are on your break, with 12 months of access. -Therefore, we suggest you don’t wait until your travel date, purchase the guidebook in advance to help you with your planning. Choose an early date and get planning straight away! • Delve into York's ancient streets and remarkable architecture, where history whispers through iconic sites like York Minster. • Journey through the untamed North York Moors, a canvas of heather-clad hills that captivated artists. • Uncover secrets in abbeys and grand estates, tales of opulence and spirituality. • Experience the coastal vistas that fuelled artists' imagination and explore a realm where myths intertwine with the landscape's mystique. York & North York Moors: • The online guidebook's suggested mapped route is fully flexible, helping you plan your trip with places to go and things to see and do, whether for 3 to 14 days. •The suggested mapped route is a fully flexible almost circular 4/5 day driving route, is around 181 miles (294km) with a drive time of around 7 hours. • Visit York: Explore historical sites like York Minster, Jorvik Viking Centre, and the National Railway Museum. Walk the well-preserved 13th-century city walls and stroll through the medieval street, the Shambles. • North Yorkshire Moors Exploration: Experience nature's rugged beauty that inspired authors like Emily Brontë. • Driving: Scenic roads offer immersive experiences through rolling hills, villages, and historic sites. Experience two of the Top 10 Road Trips along the North Yorkshire Moors driving route. Traverse heather-clad moorlands, picturesque villages, and ancient woodlands for a scenic journey through this captivating English region. • Village Visits: Explore charming villages like Helmsley, Pickering, and Whitby. • Castles and Architecture: Discover iconic structures like Helmsley Castle and Rievaulx Abbey. • Steam Train Journey: Take a nostalgic trip through the picturesque North York Moors National Park. • Iconic Views: Visit the picturesque Ribblehead Viaduct for stunning views and photo opportunities. • Local Cuisine: Relish the region's finest food and drinks, from fresh produce to locally-produced gin. • Hiking: Trails for all levels of hikers. • Cycling: Scenic routes for cycling enthusiasts. Online & Interactive Destinations Guidebook: • Save hours using our inspiration and signposting to plan your perfect York and North Yorkshire Moors driving route. • The destination guides cover 15 destinations including the coast, North Yorkshire National Park. • The destination guide includes over 50 attractions, experiences and activities to uncover your own England.

Our bargain box tours are perfect for would be explorers, those who want to take up walking or those who want to explore new places but need a little inspiration – they also make the most perfect gift for all outdoor lovers. These personalised, self guided walking tours are tailored to your fitness levels and where you wants to go and include: • Detailed Tour Itinerary made especially for you – built around your preferences and fitness levels. The in depth route will tell you where to start (and park) and detail every stop along the way to make sure you never lose your feet. • In depth marked map outlining your route. • Bite sized, laminated maps you can wear around your neck while embarking on your walk – these include summarised directions and things to look out for en route. • Top tips to make the most of your adventures, help you prepare and keep you safe. • Lots of fun facts about the places and things you’ll see along the way. • Kit list to make sure you pack everything you need. • Support for your trip and emergency contact details as well as instructions about what to do in an emergency. • Lots of suggestions of what else to do in the area – including places to visit, other adventures and where to stop for a rest or bite to eat. • Novelty compass and ‘how to’ guide to make sure you always stay on track • Exclusive Embark whistle for any sticky situation • Embark goodies • Discount vouchers for some of your favourite outdoor brands. It all comes wonderfully wrapped in an Embark gift box for you to keep and use over and over again. Why not swap tours with your friends and explore a whole range of new and exciting places. Upon ordering your Embark Box Tour, a member of the Embark Team will be in touch to discuss your tour requirements (please do remember to check tour junk mail box.) There’s nothing quite like exploring the great outdoors – so be sure to Embark on your next adventure with us.