North York Moors - Cultural Highlights

The North York Moors National Park is a place known for its gorgeous moorland landscapes, its craggy coastline and its wildlife – but it’s also got a huge amount of history and culture to explore while you’re here. The people of North Yorkshire are rightly very proud of their heritage, so we really encourage you to explore it while you’re here, whether you make historic buildings your focus or simply stop by at a market or two while you’re out hiking or cycling in the area.

From ancient ruins to contemporary arts, and with a number of fun events along the way, here are some of Pitchup’s recommendations for cultural and historic places to visit in the North York Moors.

Historical landmarks

The North York Moors National Park is rich in landmarks from across the centuries, with everything from Iron Age hillforts to elegant stately homes. We’ve picked out just a few of the highlights that should be included on any trip to this area.

Whitby Abbey

The dramatic ruins of Whitby Abbey are in a spectacular clifftop spot, with fantastic views over the North Sea and the attractive seaside village of Whitby. They’ve been here since the 7th century, and they've inspired countless artists and writers over the years – most notably Bram Stoker, who was inspired to write his classic novel Dracula after a visit here. 

Photographers and landscape artists are likely to find the Gothic ruins just as fascinating these days, as are those who like to get up close to historic sights. You can walk right through and around the ruins, and also learn about the rich history behind the place at the visitor centre, housed in a 17th-century mansion and with lots of ancient treasures to see.

Local tip: Catching a staged performance of Dracula in this stunning setting is a fantastic way to bring the story to life. These shows run throughout the summer, as part of the abbey’s programme of events which also includes Viking battles and Easter trails.

Rievaulx Abbey

Just as enchanting are the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, in a fabulous location on the banks of the River Rye. This was one of England’s first Cistercian abbeys when it was founded in the early 12th century, and its well-preserved ruins were among the first to be protected by the Office of Works (the predecessor of English Heritage) in 1907.

These days, the site is still run by English Heritage, who have established a museum filled with all the artefacts that tell the backstory of the abbey and its inhabitants. An audio tour is available for those who would really like to delve into the details, but you're equally welcome just to wander through the site and then perhaps stop for a cake and cup of tea at the café. 

Local tip: Make a day of it by walking to the abbey on the three-mile trail from Helmsley, which will give you a chance to see more of these lovely surroundings.

Helmsley Castle

Handily close to Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley Castle is another English Heritage site that's well worth visiting – and the two combine nicely to make a great day out with a scenic walk (or short drive) in between. Just on the edge of the market town, the motte-and-bailey-style castle probably dates from a similar time to the abbey and again the ruins are remarkably well preserved for their age.

An audio tour is available for the castle, and there's also an interactive exhibition in the mansion house with various hands-on displays including a model of what the castle would originally have looked like. Look out too for the striking bronze sculptures of the soldiers preparing for battle.

Local tip: Helmsley is a real hub for local heritage and culture, with a variety of shows at Helmsley Arts Centre and several craft workshops to browse in town. 

Museums and cultural centres

Visiting one of the park’s museums is a good way to get a taste of the area’s history and culture, and as many of them have interactive or immersive exhibits they’re particularly good options for a family outing. Here are three that we think definitely deserve some of your time while you’re here.

Ryedale Folk Museum

Here’s your chance to feel like you've really stepped back in time – and to several different eras as well. In the village of Hutton-le-Hole, the Ryedale Folk Museum is an open-air museum made up of several historic buildings that you can visit to get a real sense of how people lived in the past. As you stroll around you'll be able to enter a Tudor longhouse, a 15th-century crofter’s cottage and a Victorian cottage, all set up as they would have been at the time.

The emphasis here is on everyday life, with everything from board games to blacksmith’s forges on display. You can also spend time browsing the 1950s-style shop, sit at the Victorian school desks and meet rare-breed animals in the farm – all great ways to get kids interested in history.

Local tip: If you're bringing kids along, check out the events section of the website to see if there’s anything to join in while you're there – the museum runs frequent family-friendly activities including craft workshops, themed trails and demonstrations.

Captain Cook Memorial Museum

Born and bred in Yorkshire, Captain James Cook came to Whitby in 1746 to serve his merchant navy apprenticeship, sowing the seeds of what was to become an extraordinary life as a global explorer. The harbourfront house where he first stayed has now been turned into the Captain Cook Memorial Museum, where you can learn all about his life and travels.

The house itself has been beautifully restored to give an impression of what it would have looked like in the 18th century, and it's full of artefacts (including letters and maps), model ships and paintings. There’s also a lovely courtyard garden where you can relax among plants from around the world.

Local tip: Check the events section of the museum’s website to find details of its activity programme, including art classes, lectures and children's workshops.

Danby Lodge National Park Centre

Family friendly, accessible and free to visit, the visitor centre at Danby Lodge is a great place to visit, especially if this is your first time in the area. Alongside the main exhibition, which tells the story of the area’s history and landscapes, are all sorts of attractions here, including a gallery displaying the work of local artists, a second-hand bookshop and a dog-friendly café.

There's plenty here to keep kids amused too, with an adventure playground, a mud kitchen, a maze and a climbing wall, and the centre runs a busy programme of events for adults and children, including markets, art workshops and twilight walks.

Local tip: There's a good network of paths around Danby, so you can combine your visit with a walk – follow the trail up to Danby Beacon for 360-degree views over the moors.

Annual events and festivals

The North York Moors National Park plays host to a number of annual events that are worth including on your schedule. Whether you organise a trip especially or just swing by while you’re in the area, here are a few that we think are worth considering.

Whitby Goth Weekend

The Whitby Goth Weekend is now such a popular event that it’s in fact not just one weekend each year but two – usually one in spring and one in autumn. What started as a small event in 1994, with a group of pen friends meeting in a pub with Dracula links, has evolved into one of the world’s great goth gatherings with thousands flocking to the town each time.

There’s a great atmosphere in town on these weekends, with a lot of people dressing up to mill around in the streets and browse the Bizarre Bazaar, which is free to enter. The core of the festival is the programme of music events, for which tickets can be bought online.

Local tip: If you’d just like to dip into the events and atmosphere of the Whitby Goth Weekend rather than fully throwing yourself into it, check out places to stay near Whitby instead of booking a place in town.

Danby Agricultural Show

Agricultural shows are mainstays of the British summer calendar, and a visit to one of them makes a lovely addition to a summer holiday, or a good day out for the family. The annual Danby Show, held in August, is a smaller-scale show so it’s a nicely approachable introduction to the world of country shows, especially if you're taking the kids.

Over the course of the day you can expect to see judging in all sorts of categories from cakes and jams to pigeons and ferrets, along with sheep and ponies in the main rings. With a local silver band playing, local refreshments to buy and a parade of vintage tractors to see, it's a real celebration of all things Yorkshire.

Local tip: Skip the traffic by taking a train to Danby and walking to the showground, which is about 20 minutes away.

Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage

The gorgeous seaside village of Staithes, full of cobbled streets and historic cottages, has been a source of inspiration for many artists and photographers over the years – so much so that it gave its name to the Staithes Group that lived here in the 19th century.

There are still lots of artists and creatives living in and around the village, and they’re among the people that open their doors to the public during the annual Staithes Festival of Arts and Heritage, held on a weekend in September. This is a fabulously friendly and personal festival, with the cottages becoming pop-up galleries and the streets hosting live music, heritage walks and other events. 

Local tip: If you can't make it during the festival, there are a couple of local galleries where you can see some local art  – both Staithes Gallery and Staithes Studios are good places to see and buy the work of local artists.

Local crafts and markets

Markets have been at the heart of Yorkshire communities for hundreds of years – and many of them are still thriving now. Similarly, there are lots of people around the North York Moors keeping traditional crafts alive and producing art inspired by these gorgeous surroundings. Below are three of the best places in the North York Moors to shop for gifts, souvenirs and local produce.

Helmsley Market

Markets don’t come much more historic and traditional than this – Helmsley Market has been operating in the town’s square since 1467. Every Friday, the square fills with stalls selling all sorts of things from locally produced food and flowers to handmade clothes and gifts. It’s also a treasure trove of vintage and antique bits and bobs, and you may find that some of the stallholders are happy to haggle for these items.

As well as being a good way to experience Yorkshire life, the market is an important community event – and, as a visitor, even buying a couple of items will help to preserve this centuries-old market.

Local tip: If you're in Helmsley on the third Friday of the month, head into the town hall to see what's on offer at the craft fair that runs alongside the main market.

Westgate Pottery

There’s a rather lovely story behind Westgate Pottery, located above the No30 Westgate coffee shop in the town of Guisborough. Owner Jason had to close the café during the Covid lockdowns, and started to spend more time exploring his interest in pottery, setting up a small studio in his back garden. It really took off, and eventually he was able not only to start selling his wares through the shop but also convert the space above the coffee shop into a studio.

Stop by now and you'll be able to check out all sorts of handmade pottery pieces while also tucking into some delicious homemade lunches and cakes in the coffee shop. 

Local tip: If you'd like to have a go at making your own pottery creation, take a look at Westgate’s courses and workshops – there are adult and children’s options available.

Hutton-le-Hole Craft Workshops

For a village that’s only got about 150 residents, Hutton-le-Hole really packs a punch when it comes to craft and independent shops. At the heart of the village is a cluster of craft workshops where visitors can browse and buy all sorts of handmade items, including textiles, wooden items and ceramics, alongside local artworks and photographs. You’ll often be able to talk to the makers too, and pick up your own craft kits to take home.

Local tip: The village also has a handy bike repair shop and an excellent deli/bakery where you can pick up homemade bread and cakes, plus local cheese and meats for your picnic supplies.

Cultural hidden gems

Perhaps you’ve explored the big sights, or you’re just keen to find something a little bit different for your day out in the North York Moors? Either way, have a look at some of our picks for hidden gems with a cultural or historic theme.

Mount Grace Priory

If you've already visited Whitby and Rievaulx, or want a quieter experience than you'd get at these popular sites, plan an outing to Mount Grace Priory, right on the western edge of the North York Moors. Less well known than the other ruins but no less beautiful, this is the best-preserved Carthusian priory in the UK and it's usually a pretty peaceful place to have a stroll around and take photos.

In fact, there's more to this place than just the ruins, as the abbey itself is next door to an Arts-and-Crafts-style manor house featuring designs by William Morris, and a fabulous 13-acre garden to explore. There's also a café selling light lunches, cakes and drinks.

Local tip: If you’d really like to make a day of it, follow the National Trust’s 6.5-mile circular walk, which takes you through some lovely scenery to the priory.

Skinningrove Art Trail

The small seaside village of Skinningrove doesn't tend to feature on many tourists’ schedules, so it's a good bet if you're after a quiet beach. It’s also home to a public art trail that takes you around nine outdoor artworks telling the story of the village’s past. Along the way you'll see murals, carvings and mosaics, all of which are detailed in the Skinningrove Art Trail leaflet. 

Local tip: On your way in or out of Skinningrove, stop by at the Land of Iron museum, telling the story of the area’s mining history with an interactive exhibition and the chance to enter the drift tunnel.

Mallyan Spout

If you're an artist searching for landscapes to paint or photograph, you may like to follow in the footsteps of many of your predecessors by heading to Mallyan Spout waterfall, near the village of Goathland. This is the highest waterfall in the North York Moors National Park, and it’s inspired several artists including John Cooper.

A nice way to take in the waterfall and its surrounding scenery is to follow the three-mile circular trail from Goathland – a traditional village that those of a certain age may recognise as the setting for the TV programme Heartbeat in the 1990s.

Local tip: Goathland’s station has also found fame – as Hogsmeade station in the Harry Potter films. You can just stop by there for a cup of tea in the café, but it's even better to arrive on a heritage train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.

Planning your North York Moors trip

With so much to see and do, the North York Moors National Park makes a wonderful destination for a holiday, whether you’re planning a weekend break or a longer holiday. Pitchup has a fantastic range of North York Moors campsites and glampsites that will help you make the most of your holiday budget and soak up plenty of the area’s fresh air and stunning scenery.