North Yorkshire Moors Railway Attractions in North Yorkshire

The Moors railway starts in Pickering and stretchs 18 miles north to the small village of Grosmont, this heritage railway line takes you on a journey through the scenic heart of the North York Moors. The route comprises of the middle section of the now defunct Whitby, Pickering and York line, which was designed by George Stephenson in 1831 and, at the time, considered an engineering miracle. Coaches were initially pulled along it by horse at a speed of 10 miles per hour, until steam locomotives came into use in the early 19th century. After falling victim to the Beeching cuts in the 1960s, the section was re-opened in 1974 and now holds the title of England's most popular heritage railway line.

This is in no doubt one of the most splendid ways to see the North Yorkshire Moors. As an tourist attraction, North Yorkshire can claim this is one of the best to be seen here. There are five stops along the line: Pickering, Levisham, Newton Dale Halt, Goathland and Grosmont. Your journey can begin at either end and take in as many or as few destinations as you wish, but the most popular route is from south to north, beginning in Pickering.

The first thing you notice about Pickering Station is the stunning restoration work that's been carried out to recreate its former 1937 glory. All original fixtures and fittings have been installed and the bookings office, parcels office and tearoom have been refurbished in the style of the period. As soon the train departs the station you're met with your first historical sight - the town's Norman castle, perched high on an eastern hill. Shortly after crossing the New Bridge, we're into the North York Moors National Park and its deep sylvan gorge known as Newton Dale. The dale, which has previously been referred to as 'England's Grand Canyon', is home to our first stop, Levisham, an ideal place at which to disembark and explore. The local area has an abundance of flowers and wildlife all within easy walking distance of the station. After a good look around you'll be ready to continue northwards to Newton Dale Halt. This is an optional stop and can be requested by those wishing to take advantage of its walks around both the dale and the enchanting Cropton Forest.

Between here and Goathland, the track begins to steepen, before twisting and turning its way towards the summit of the Fen Bog nature reserve. When pulling into the station, aficionados of either the small or silver screen might just recognise it as 'Aidensfield' from the TV series Heartbeat or perhaps as 'Hogsmeade Station' from Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Once alighted, the Warehouse Tea Room is the perfect place to break for refreshments; maybe followed with a perusal of the authentic artefacts adorning the walls.

The tour's terminus is Grosmont Station, 5 miles southwest of Whitby. The station houses the locomotive sheds as well as more tearooms and two shops selling some unique souvenirs. Again this stop has been beautifully restored, this time to the British Railway's style of the 1960s.

During the summer, some services continue on to Whitby, allowing you to end your trip on the beaches of the North York Moors' capital. Both return and one-way fares are available to all destinations.

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