Walking in York Moors

You can download maps of trails in the "days out" section of www.nationaltrust.org.uk. You can get a Family Pass for Overseas Tourists on this site, too, Order online and pick up there. We were in Scotland and England in April and the weather wasn't that bad at all. The Daffodils weren't up yet. It seemed better than my home town of Seattle; although we might be warmer since we have fields of Daffodils by then. Be sure to include some coastal locations on your visit. Bon Voyage

Here's a good looking resource:
https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/enjoy-outdoors/walking/our-walks

As part of the Coast to Coast route we walked (and enjoyed) some of these areas:

https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/enjoy-outdoors/walking/our-walks/walking-routes/lords-stones-walk
Lord Stones Walk

It might only be a shade under 3 miles, but this is a real adventure
walk for all the family, with some awe-inspiring views into the
bargain. There’s a striking panorama of Middlesbrough, the Cleveland
plain, Roseberry Topping and Cook’s Monument, which you’ll see both on
the outward leg and then – after a stiff, stepped climb – on the
return section that follows the Cleveland Way National Trail across
Cringle Moor. The start of the trail is in the privately owned Lord Stones Country Park, where there’s access to the ancient stone
that gives the walk its name – as well as parking, a
café-restaurant and local produce shop. https://lordstones.com/lordstones-cafe/

https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/enjoy-outdoors/walking/our-walks/walking-routes/glaisdale-and-egton-bridge
Glaisdale and Egton Bridge

Lift your spirits in the stunning Esk Valley countryside on a 5-mile
circular walk that runs between Glaisdale and Egton Bridge. There’s
history and romance in the air, both at beautiful Beggar’s Bridge and
also along the ancient stone trods, or pathways, that run through the
pretty bluebell woods near both settlements. On the upper stretches
the high farmland offers some lovely views, while down in the valley
sections the babbling River Esk is never very far away. Why not come
by train? Both Glaisdale and Egton Bridge are stops on the Esk Valley
Railway, so you can walk the whole route from either station. https://www.nymr.co.uk/grosmont-station

https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/enjoy-outdoors/walking/our-walks/walking-routes/may-beck-and-falling-foss
May Beck and Falling Foss

If ever there was a magical woodland walk, this is it. Take the trail
through the trees on a 2-mile circular route that passes an idyllic
woodland tea garden and the 30-foot Falling Foss waterfall, before
returning alongside babbling May Beck. It’s a lovely shady walk for
summer – with shallow waters to paddle in, and a bridge to play
pooh-sticks from – and spectacular in autumn when the woodland colours
are at their best.

Hi Harriet -

Do you mean the North Yorkshire Moors (a national park) or just Yorkshire Moors in general? And also do you envisage hiring a car for the duration? A car would certainly give you more options as the areas you’d need to cover are extensive.

Assuming you mean the North Yorks Moors and you don’t intend to hire a car then you’ll need to be on the fringes of the park - the centre is largely empty! I’d suggest Pickering as a base (the NYM railway operates from there which will get you into the central areas - at a price) or Helmsley, or even one of the coastal resorts like Whitby. The villages in the centre are fairly difficult to get to - and away from - by public transport - I’m thinking areas like Danby, Glaisdale, Grosmont/Egton, Rosedale Abbey. A truly isolated accommodation point would be the Lion Inn at Blakey Topping, which is on the Coast to Coast path.

Of course a car makes all this much more accessible. With a car you could base, say, in York (although as I’ve mentioned before on these pages York is immensely car-unfriendly). From here you can get west to Ripon and Nidderdale or for a longer day, drive south to Haworth home of the Bronte family, which is surrounded by moorland - the walk up to the deserted farmstead of Top Withens (suggested location of ‘Wuthering Heights’) is a very popular day hike from Haworth.

Let me know if you’ve any specific ideas or areas you want to visit, maybe If you can tie that down a bit I can advise you what’s in the vicinity trail wise. There are lots of books on walks on the Moors and of course an OS map opens up a world of possibilities assuming you can understand/read it.

Ian

Another resource: use the HF Holidays itinerary to see descriptions of the recommended walks in this area. They are having a Family Holiday in April, and while the dates likely won’t work out for you to stay there, you can see 9 recommended walks in the area, including Esk Valley and the coastal areas. Just click on “itinerary” to see the walks, or download the Trip Notes. They have the same information.

https://www.hfholidays.co.uk/holidays-and-tours/4-night-north-york-moors-family-walking-adventure

And if the dates do just happen to work out (April 13-17), this is a great deal. You get room and all meals, plus guided walking and transport to the trailheads. Kids under 18 are free with their parents. We have done several short holidays with them and are going back for another (Yorkshire Dales) in July.

Something different, & terrific: the Yorkshire Sculpture Park, down near Leeds.

From RS' England bk:
"One of England's most impressive collections of sculpture is scattered across the formidable 18th-century estate of Bretton Park, 200-odd hectares of lawns, fields & trees [& a small river, wading cows, & grazing sheep rubbing up against the Henry Moores et al].
A bit like the art world's equivalent of a safari park. Admission free, parking 4 pounds."

Great running-around meadows for the kids (bring boots, we were there in April's mud & daffodils), exc. modern visitor center, cafe, shop. One of the best unexpected things we did in Yorkshire.