My husband and I will be meandering our way via rental car from Grassington to Whitby on 27 Sept. The plan is to get an early start and visit Thirsk, Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley and Hutton-le-Hole before heading to our final destination of Whitby. I'm considering two routes and would love feedback as to which might be better: Hutton-le-Hole via Danby or via Rosedale Abbey. Alas, it will be too late in the day to visit the Danby Lodge National Park Center, but is the Danby route still the best option (as suggested by Google Maps)? The time given for each route is about the same (47-48 minutes). We are not interested in the route via Pickering.
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7566 posts
Good choices for places to visit. I would suggest also having lunch in Helmsley as they have a very nice selection of good restaurants and cafes.
If it were me, I would take the Rosedale Abbey route, as I think that would be more scenic, although my vote would be for the Pickering route. Is there some reason why you don't want to take that route? It's very scenic as well.
It would also give you a chance to stop in Ellerburn, which is a charming and quaint little village that houses a very old lovely church called St. Hilda. Its history is amazing, with carvings that date back to Viking time. It's out of town and you will probably be the only people there. Here's a link to my personal blog where I wrote about that church. You could also visit there and still get back on the Rosedale Abbey route, as it's only about 10 minutes up the road, I think.
Posted by
OP
Port Angeles
132 posts
Thanks, Mardee! Yes, we plan to have lunch in the Vinehouse Cafe in the Helmsley Walled Garden!
After our stay in Whitby, we will be heading to York and using that Pickering route. We'll also be riding the NYMR train from Grosmont to Pickering and back again during our Whitby stay (the Steam Gala will be going on so we're very excited!) But thanks for the Ellerburn suggestion!
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7566 posts
Oh, that definitely makes sense, then. :-)
I'm assuming you will be visiting the Ryedale open air folk museum in Hutton-le-Hole. Make sure you allot plenty of time for that, as it really is wonderful. I especially loved the miniature stone buildings. They were fascinating.
Posted by
OP
Port Angeles
132 posts
Thanks again, Mardee! Wouldn't you know, we'll be there on a Friday and the museum is closed! :( Oh well, another reason to go back. I did read parts of your blog when you returned last spring. Sounds like you had an amazing trip overall!
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7566 posts
Oh no! Well, Hutton-le-Hole is certainly charming in itself and worth a visit. :-) Yes, my trip was wonderful! Where all are you going to? Anyplace besides Yorkshire?
Posted by
OP
Port Angeles
132 posts
We'll be in Cornwall for 5 nights (St Agnes), then Bath for 3, 8 nights in Yorkshire (Grassington, Whitby, York) and 5 in London! We're really looking forward to it! This will be my 7th trip to England but my husband's first, so it's all about showing him favorite places, but seeing new ones too!
Posted by
Duluth 🛶
7566 posts
That sounds wonderful—have a safe and enjoyable trip!