Take a breath of fresh air as you explore the stunning coast and spectacular countryside of the North York Moors on this three-day itinerary. Step back in time with a scenic journey on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, discover atmospheric coastal towns and villages and majestic abbey ruins. Visit a delightful waterfall and woodland walk, enjoy the tea garden and delicious fish and chips.
Welcome to the North York Moors — where peace and beauty awaits you.
This three-day sample itinerary has been developed using newly commissioned market research around the perfect short-break holiday for the target customer, ‘Explorers’ aged 45 years and over from near Europe, who like to experience the culture and heritage of a new English destination, full of little surprises, at a more relaxed pace. It includes experiences taking in the beautiful surroundings of the North York Moors National Park and its stunning coast, along with free time to visit the area’s ‘must-sees’ and engage with the local culture.
Day 1: Meet the locals and explore Whitby
Day 2: North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Day 3: Falling Foss and Robin Hood's Bay
Day one: Meet the locals and explore Whitby
Arrive in comfort by car ferry, from either Rotterdam to Hull (P&O), or from Amsterdam to Newcastle (DFDS) — both operate a daily service. Your onward drive is around 1 hour and 45 minutes (111 km) to the atmospheric coastal town of Whitby, overlooked by the famous clifftop ruins of Whitby Abbey, with its cobbled Georgian streets and unique shops clustering around a vibrant harbour and sandy beach.
Your accommodation is located on the historic east side of Whitby, the 17th-century White Horse & Griffin — the first coaching inn in Whitby. Today it provides a blend of historic charm with modern comfort, excellent food and a warm welcome.
Climb the famous 199 steps from the old town to the magnificent ruins of Whitby Abbey, where a state-of-the-art exhibition tells the tale of 3,000 years of history and how the town inspired Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Visit the Captain Cook Memorial Museum to learn how all of Cook’s famous vessels were built here.
Whitby is a great place for a spot of shopping; from jewellery made using local black jet to handmade chocolates and smoked kippers. Don’t leave Whitby without trying some of the best fish and chips for miles around, perfect with a delicious Yorkshire ale, brewed in the shadow of Whitby Abbey.
Take a twilight cruise with Whitby Coastal Cruises and glimpse the sun setting behind the historic town of Whitby.
Day two: North Yorkshire Moors Railway
After a relaxing breakfast, leave your car behind and take the North Yorkshire Moors Railway from Whitby Station. Step back in time with a leisurely scenic vintage train journey running along the 39 km of National Park countryside from Whitby to the market town of Pickering, as it sweeps across wide open moorland.
Enjoy stunning views of the North York Moors National Park from your carriage before alighting at Goathland Station, featured as Hogsmeade Station in the original Harry Potter film. After exploring the small moorland village, follow the disused railway line, built by railway pioneer George Stephenson, along the 5.6 km rail-trail to the village of Grosmont.
At Grosmont Station explore the historic engine sheds and the world’s oldest passenger railway tunnel, also built by Stephenson, before boarding the vintage train back to Whitby. Enjoy the scenic journey through the Esk Valley before emerging in the town of Whitby.
Insider's tip: visit a magical waterfall: Head to Beck Hole and take a walk through ancient woodlands and valleys, passing the Thomason Foss waterfall, and possibly visit one of England’s quirkiest small pubs, the Birch Hall Inn.
Day three: Falling Foss and Robin Hood’s Bay
After breakfast, check out of your accommodation and take the 15-minute drive (10 km) to Falling Foss, one of the North York Moors’ hidden gems.
An opportunity to experience a magical woodland walk through an idyllic woodland passing a Hermitage and the beautiful Falling Foss waterfall. It’s a lovely dappled shady walk in spring and spectacular in autumn when the woodland colours are at their best. Make sure to call in at the enchanting Falling Foss Tea Garden, found in the beautifully sited woodland cottage of Midge Hall. Once an isolated gamekeeper’s cottage, its back garden has been serving tea and cake since the 1930s.
After tea and cake, take the 15-minute (9 km) drive to Robin Hood’s Bay. Leave your car in the village car park and take in the stunning views before you begin the steep descent through this timeless seaside village of cobbled alleyways and tiny fishermen’s cottages, tumbling down to the sea.
Pop into the Robin Hood’s Bay Museum — a small village museum packed full of artefacts and stories of the area. The coastal scenery around the Bay is spectacular, perfect for a coastal walk or fossil hunting before enjoying a pint of local ale in a village pub.
Insider’s tip — go rock pooling: Reached at low tide along the shore is Boggle Hole, great for a spot of rock pooling. Pop into The Quarterdeck Café at the YHA for coffee; take a book and sit by the wood burning stove as you listen to the sound of the waves.
Collect your car before your return drive to Hull, approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes, and be sure to arrive before final check-in times (usually 19:00, but check due to seasonal timetables).
Planning notes
To find out even more about the local culture of the places you visit, why not arrange a local guide? A list of guides can be found in the Supplier Listing.
Times and dates are subject to change — please check with suppliers.
Other accommodation options are available. Day passes to the heritage attractions can be included.
All products highlighted in bold are bookable in advance; all others are either payable at the attraction or venue, or free of charge.
This itinerary is also available in other languages.
Last updated: 28 May 2026