Why visit Pickering?
North York Moors
Get your pick of Pickering campsites at the base of the North York Moors, with views of a verdant vale and… Tom Cruise? OK, we can’t really promise that last bit, but the Hollywood actor has been spotted shooting a film near this top town in England’s North East. And when you’re not keeping a keen eye out for celebrities, you’ll have the North York Moors National Park’s uplands, forests, coast and dales to explore.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway
Pickering campsites are brilliant bases for exploring the countryside by vintage steam train. Jump on the southern terminus of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in town to pass through moorland scenery as you travel the 90-minute journey to Whitby at the coast. Disembark at the seaside settlement to give your legs a good workout on the 99 Steps up to the crumbling Gothic abbey made famous by Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula.
Market town times
When camping in Pickering, don’t miss the town’s 13th-century castle and spectacular Saxon Church. Poke your head around the door of the latter to fawn over the fab 15th-century paintings. In Pickering on a Monday? That’s market day – an opportunity to browse local produce and handmade goods. There are also permanent shops to browse, including a curiosity emporium, a second-hand bookstore and a chocolatier.
Top things to do in Pickering
Pickering’s got plenty to keep you busy, but here are the top things to do in the town and its surrounds.
* Meet the warthogs, rhinos and lemurs at Flamingo Land, a theme park with a zoo
* Wander through woodland at Newbridge Park, a picnicker's paradise
* Take a tour of Cropton Brewery (and try local ales like Monkman's Slaughter and Blackout)
* Go back to the Victorian era at Beck Isle Museum’s 1800s-era chemist and blacksmith’s forge
* Breathe in the fresh country air at Pickering Millennium Wood
Delve deeper into Pickering and beyond
Dalby Forest
Take to the trees northeast of Pickering in search of woodland critters on the ground by day and a starry display come evening – Dalby Forest is both a wildlife haven and a Dark Sky Discovery Site. Cyclists, strollers and runners are sorted here too as there are 13 walking paths, six biking routes and four jogging tracks to navigate. A couple of play areas, along with a Gruffalo-spotting trail and a dry-stone-wall maze, also mean it’s fab for family days out with the kids.
Town-hopping holidays
Pickering’s set between four top Yorkshire towns: Scarborough, Whitby, Helmsley and Malton. The latter two spots are deep in the countryside, while the former are right at the coast. Set off for Scarborough at the southern end of the North York Moors for golden-sand beaches and an excellent aquarium. Other spots near the water include Robin Hood’s Bay, a characterful fishing village that spills down to sea and has views out over towering cliffs.
The Howardian Hills
Have a jaunt just half an hour to the southwest of your Pickering campsite to see more of England’s cracking countryside. You’ll also come across spectacular stately homes like Castle Howard, as well as pretty priories, historical halls and attractive abbeys. Roam along the rivers Derwent and Rye or head to Helmsley Walled Garden to amble among apple orchards, botanic-filled greenhouses and neat borders.
Here’s how
Up for popping to Pickering for a camping trip? Find a top spot to stay on this page, whether you want a park with a high user rating or need a dog-friendly option. And as well as campsites, we’ve got glamping around Pickering too: think bell tents, camping pods or shepherd’s huts.
Alternatively, opt for caravan parks near Pickering for a good-old-fashioned weekend getaway without the tent. You can also bring your tourer or motorhome with you to this fab area of the North York Moors National Park.
Still umming and ahhing over which spot to pick? These are some of our other popular filters:
* Pickering campsites with electric pitches
* Adults-only camping near Pickering
* Pickering camping with a bar or clubhouse
If you're extending your trip, other places to park yourself in the north of England include Grassington in the Yorkshire Dales and Stanhope in the Pennines hills. You could also head up to Scotland for epic mountain scenery and lush lakes.
Read our camping guides before you go for advice on all sorts, from choosing the best site to a checklist that will help you pack.
