Some of the things we have listed elsewhere are recommended highly by friends or by guests but we might not have visited recently ourselves. We thought it might be helpful to tell you of the shops, attractions, villages and eating places we go back to time and again. The list is not complete so apologies if anyone feels left out – just tell us nicely! 

We particularly enjoy the quieter bits of the Coast and have spent many happy evenings flying kites and frying sausages on the beach at Sandsend or Runswick Bay

Sandsend is great for gold coloured fossils (watch the tide) and for its art gallery The Turnstone Gallery and Bridge Cottage cafe.

Runswick Bay has delightful twisting streets with an exciting drive down to the car parking. Unspoilt, it boasts but one shop/café/post office.

Whitby is a must with a visit to the cliff top church and to the famous family run Fortune oak smoke house, just follow your nose! 

Robin Hood’s Bay has a magic of its own, Tim has been visiting since a small child barely able to climb back up the Bank. Smugglers, seagulls, narrow streets, Georgian cottages squeezed onto the steep slopes, echoes of horse hooves and the memory of the sea-urchin man. If that wasn’t enough there are rock pools, fish and chips and a pub overlooking the beach.

When we go inland we usually head for York with the Minster and the great shopping for affordable antiques and for jewellery try Paleque or Azendi. Teashops are special with the famous Betty’s or the older more whimsical Little Betty’s in the lively pedestrian shopping street Stonegate  For a pleasant film experience the City Screen is excellent with a good bar.

Other favourites include the one time brothel The Blue Bicycle which serves many fish dishes or Ask for good affordable Italian with no frills but loads of Doric columns. 

When we find time we like to walk in the vicinity. We have particularly enjoyed walking round Rosedale where, after two hours in the hot sun we were dreaming of a cup of tea. Like magic we came across the excellent, remote Farmhouse Fodder that had us rested, refuelled and eager for the climb up the valley side to the disused railway. Not to be missed!
 
Here are some good links, which include our favourite places.

Frank’s Yorkshire Walks looks suitably quirky. Trailblazers for your boots, SatNav and emergency rations. Walks from Sutton Bank and from the Hole of Horcum car park to Levisham and back are to be considered.

If we get the chance to visit a garden we head for Helmsley further afield to Thorpe Perrow Arboretum and when we buy plants then Rogers Nursery in Pickering have a huge selection and do mail order and internet as well.

When it comes to shopping we have numerous regular places to visit. Indigo near the Market Place in Malton is excellent for affordable taste. Nip across the square to Leonies for an award winning coffee. We love the quirky and cheeky Plum for gifts and inappropriate cards.

Pickering Antique Centre offers a wide choice with its numerous ‘in-shops’ and the second hand bookshop for those classics you may wish to re-read.   For presents we often visit Sophie Hamilton for her lively ceramics and it’s great to watch the glassblowing in Rosedale by the internationally famous Stephen Gillies.

When it comes to food shopping we enjoy the Cedar Barn farm shop, Taylors of Pickering for fish, fruit and veg when not visiting The Organic Farm Shop. Chocolart requires no explanation – just encouragement! Around the corner is Cafe Cocoa, which is delightful, small and indulgent. Cedar Barn and Hann’s butchers in Pickering or Beadlam Grange farm shop near Helmsley are excellent for meat. Fresh fish and speciality hot smoked salmon at Taylors at the top of the Market Place in Pickering is a regular haunt. 

For museums we go to Beck Isle in Pickering and The Ryedale Folk Museum in the pretty village of Hutton-le-Hole or visit the antiques collected from the good people of Pickering by a local doctor and now in the Castle Museum in York. Try Pickering Castle for history and excellent views over the town.

Which leads us to eating places. We are spoiled with the quality and range of eateries. Spice 4 u in Pickering is excellent for Indian food, Fortune Inn for Cantonese while in Malton there is an excellent Thai restaurant - The Cross Keys. Stewart will look after you well and lift the burden of choosing dishes from you if you wish. The Hare at Scorton is quirky but good. For a rare but memorable treat we visit The Star Inn at Harome. A recent discovery is the astonishingly good food at a tiny pub, The Fox and Hounds, Goldsborough on the coast above Sandsend, be sure to book for a guaranteed delight.

Finally, for those in pursuit of Daniel Craig (Bond 2006, 2008), he was last seen emerging from Carters Country Clothing shop in Helmsley with no less than four flat caps and heading for Hunters - delicatessen and local ice-cream – not the bombe surprise joke surely?  

Cedar Barn - Diversified farmers have created an excellent stop on the road between Pickering and Thornton Dale. Ideal for coffee or lunch. A huge English breakfast is very popular and the shop has a wide range of locally produced goodies. For those with half an eye on their figure it is possible to buy half a delicious cake! We have a service whereby visitors give advance orders for a meal to await their arrival in the cottage. Excellent for those coming from afar and for those who might still feel peckish after the cream tea!

There is plenty to see and do close to Pickering without needing to drive for many miles. We have many brochures in the cottages and we are happy to point you in the direction of our favourites. We hope that you’ll add your favourite adventures and venues in our cottage guest book to be of assistance to fellow visitors.

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Towns & Villages

Pickering - Pickering is a lively market town with the North York Moors steam railway as a major attraction - www.pickering.uk.net

Hutton le Hole – Sheep nibbled Hutton le Hole is one of North Yorkshire’s most popular villages. The wonderful green grass is a perfect picnic spot throughout the summer months - www.ryedale.co.uk/ryedale/villages/huttonlehole

Thornton le Dale – Thornton le Dale is one of the prettiest villages in North Yorkshire, the gateway to Dalby forest - www.thorntonledale.com

Helmsley – Helmsley is one of the most attractive villages in the country. It has a stream round the back of the square with pubs, restaurants and shops of the highest quality. Home to Duncombe Park, Nunnington Hall, Helmsley Walled Garden, Rievaulx Abbey, Rievaulx Terrace and Temples, Helmsley pool, Helmsley castle and Helmsley Arts Centre - www.ryedale.co.uk/ryedale/helmsley/helmsley.html

Goathland – Goathland is the village known as Aidensfield, where Heartbeat is filmed. It is a very attractive busy moor land village with sheep grazing on the wide verges and greens - www.eskvalley.com/goathland

Whitby – Explore the alleys and magical qualities of this historic town - www.whitby-uk.com

York – A favourite for the Minster, History, quality shops and of course Betty’s Tearoom - www.york.world-guides.com

Robin Hoods Bay – Visit Robin hoods bay to simply soak up the atmosphere and dream of the smugglers! - www.robin-hoods-bay.co.uk

Eating Out

You can visit The Star Inn at Harome, winner of awards and a Michelin star. It is a twenty-minute drive away, or alternatively have a Pizza delivered to your cottage and there are plenty of experiences in between!

The Fox and Hounds, Goldsborough, outstanding food in quirky surrounds

The Cross Keys, Malton for fabulous Thai food

White Swan, Pickering

The Fox & Hounds, Sinnington 

The Hare at Scawton for excellent food in ancient quirky setting

The Magpie Café, Whitby

The Fox and Rabbit, Lockton

The Blue Bicycle in York combines excellent food in the setting of an old brothel!

The Blacksmiths Arms at Lastingham for a very traditional feel.

The Horseshoe Inn in Levisham to break your walk

Local Markets

Each market has its own character and provides opportunities to see the towns in full-swing.

Pickering Town Market – Monday

Pickering Farmers Market - The first Thursday in the month

Flea Market, Pickering Market Place - Daily

Helmsley Market - Friday

Kirkbymoorside Market – Wednesday

Malton Market – Saturday

Malton Farmers Market – The third Thursday in the month, dates may vary

Farmers Market, Downe Arms Wykeham – Friday 8am – 2pm

Groceries

In Pickering and the surrounding area you will find a number of excellent local produce shops selling quality food and drink. For those with a sweet tooth there is a chocolate shop in Pickering and a chocolate factory in Hutton-le-Hole. What more could you ask for?

Cedar Barn, just to the east of Pickering is an award winning farm shop with homemade goodies, butchery, veg, bread and teashop. Thornton Road, Pickering

Alternatively, should you be going west there is the award winning Beadlam Grange Farm shop and Tearoom a few miles our side of Helmsley.

Newer on the scene is the Whole Hogg on the way to Malton.
 
The Organic Farm Shop, Pickering 

Taylor’s of Pickering, fresh fruit, vegetables and fish. Their own hot smoked salmon is wonderful.

Hann’s Butchers, Pickering - dry cured bacon and sausages for the cottages

Chocolart with Cafe Cocoa around the corner - make Smiddy Hill a ‘must do’ destination

Co-op Supermarket, Pickering

Londis Mini Super Market, Middleton

Local Events

For information on seasonal local events whatever the weather we supply a local paper in each cottage for your arrival. Alternatively, we suggest you visit one of our local tourist boards. If you call in during your stay you’ll be helped in person or should you need information prior to your holiday use the links below.

Pickering Tourist Information

Malton Tourist Information

The North York Moors

Helmsley Tourist Information

National Parks

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