Let’s Get Out and About

We have great walking routes around Yorkshire, and one of our favourites is definitely The Cleveland Way. Running at 109 miles long, between Helmsley which sits in the North York Moors National Park and Filey on the Yorkshire Coast, this route has stunning coastal scenery. For a short 3 mile route, start at the picturesque harbour of Staithes and head South to Runswick Bay.

Mile one

Beginning at Staithes, head down to Captain Cook & Staithes Heritage Museum to start the walk. Follow the route south passed the Cod & Lobster pub. This part of the walk is the steepest, rising from around sea level to 275ft (84 metres) above. Depending on the time of year you may come across lovely coastal wildflowers like vetch, clover and bird’s-foot-trefoil so keep your eyes peeled!

Mile two

A level section, this part passes through the hamlet of Port Mulgrave, which marks the halfway point between Staithes and Runswick Bay. Watch out for wildlife such as skylarks, blackcaps, swallows, sand martins, and, of course, a variety of gulls dipping and diving on the thermals There you will arrive at Port Mulgrave, a derelict former ironstone exporting port.

Mile three

The final section of the walk, where the path dips. Then climb again as you read round into Runswick Bay. This gorgeous horseshoe bay has captured many hearts over the years, and once hosted a collection of wooden beach-style chalets located just above the beach, if you look closely you can see one or two.

The village itself is a myriad of tiny streets located down a steep path. Where quaint picturesque cottages clamber on top of one another for the best sea view. The village also boasts the last remaining thatched former coastguard’s cottage which clings to the rock face like a limpet and is depicted on almost every illustration you’ll see of the Bay.

Resting

Take in some well-deserved refreshments and decide to return along the same path or if you’re feeling a little weary then why not take the X4  bus which runs every half hour back to Staithes.

Whatever you choose we hope you’ll enjoy this delightful cliff-top walk along this lovely section of the trail.

We have some fantastic routes for mountain bikers and road racers around the North York Moors. With Yorkshire’s two large National Parks to explore, and hundreds of miles of winding country lanes in between, there are a huge number of routes for beginners as well as for the more advanced cyclist.

When exploring the moors, you inevitably are faced with a bit of a climb no matter which route you choose. Wherever you go, you will find panoramic views and endless tracts of rich purple heather. We would strongly recommend the many bridle paths – well-trodden paths also used by local farmers and gamekeepers. It is always a good idea to use an Ordnance Survey map or a good OS mapping app, but take care as phone reception can be a bit patchy in the more remote areas.

Routes from surrounding villages

Whether you start in Carlton village or from Faceby, Swainby and Osmotherley, each of these villages have roads and bridle paths leading up to the moors with round routes back to Carlton. To avoid having to ride along the A172 between Faceby and Swainby there is a reasonable footpath on the far side of the road, and you should make use of the Gold Hill loop road.

Straight to the Moors

Ride up through Carlton in Cleveland heading south east towards Chop Gate – pronounced locally as Chop Yat – keeping left uphill past Busby Hall. It’s a climb, but you are rewarded by fabulous views towards Roseberry Topping and Teesside beyond. At the top of Carlton Bank you have a choice; go left along the Cleveland Way towards Cold Moor, or right up to Whorlton Moor. Both cycling routes run for many miles, mostly on good tracks.

Routes from villages to the East

Ride from Carlton towards the A172 keeping right at the junction, then find another right turn towards Great Busby, Kirkby, Great Broughton and Ingleby Greenhow. There are fabulous tracks from here, particularly if you can find the route of the old railway line which starts at Bank Foot and leads up to up to Blakey Ridge. There find well-known pub The Lion Inn, and the railway track that goes far beyond there.

A great place to explore on a Yorkshire cycling holiday is Helmsley, the only market town in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. It is full of history and character with an attractive market square and a castle. Also worth seeing is Duncombe Park, one of Yorkshire’s finest country houses with over 450 acres of spectacular gardens and parkland. There are several different routes, but the shortest goes past Rievaulx Abbey; an interesting place to visit, and one of the great English abbeys until Henry the Eighth got his hands on it.

Going East

Ride towards the A172, turning right towards Great Busby, Kirkby, and Great Broughton. You can loop back over the top to Carlton via the B1257 to Chop Gate. More adventurous? Keep going through Ingleby Greenhow to Kildale, Commondale, Castleton and Danby. With so many loop roads, you don’t have to do the same route twice.

Heading South

Ride up through Carton village and right turn towards Faceby. Avoid riding too far along the A172 by using the Gold Hill loop road. Ride on through Swainby and over Scarth Nick to Osmotherley. From here head up to Square Corner and on over the moor to Hawnby and Helmsley beyond.

Head West from Carlton

For those who, very sensibly perhaps, wish to avoid the big hills we head west where the roads are much more considerate. Heading straight over the A172 from Carlton in Cleveland towards Hutton Rudby. From here you can either head north to Middleton on Leven, and back to Carlton via Seamer and Stokesley, or carry on to Crathorne, Picton, Appleton Wiske and back towards Carlton via West Rounton and Potto.

Discover the magic of the North York Moors when you stay with Holiday at Home. This mesmerising region is home to the most scenic landscape of expansive dales, heather-clad moorland, ancient abbeys and delightful seaside towns and villages living side by side in perfect harmony. Only a short, picturesque drive from many of our luxury holiday homes, take advantage of what’s on your doorstep and explore the stunning North York Moors.

It is easy to get lost in the beauty of the moors, which is described in the numerous books written about those that have lived here years before. Whilst some tales are fiction, we are sure it is partly based on fact!

There’s no feeling quite like the coastal breeze tickling your face as the icy North Sea bites your toes. North Yorkshire boasts an array of quaint seaside towns and villages, each oozing a unique and memorable charm. Saltburn by the Sea offers a most authentic seaside experience with over a mile of curving, golden sands, and rugged sea cliffs as well as an award-winning restaurant: Seaview. Alternatively, you could visit the historical and culturally rich town of Whitby which is bursting at the seams with endless character and fascinating landmarks. You certainly don’t want to miss out on either of these locations.

When making your way to the coast, don’t forget to stop off at any one of the fish and chip shops. We are sure that a trip to the coast isn’t complete without it!

When you stay with us at any of our holiday properties across North Yorkshire, you are given unlimited access the heavenly panoramas of a starry night. There’s nothing cosier and more romantic than curling up on the sofa under a mountain of blankets in front of the fire to watch the stars.