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York & North Yorkshire Road Trip Online Travel Guide
• Discover York & North York Moors & Coast over 171 miles (278km)
• Includes 15 key destinations and 100s of references
• Follow in 3 sections, historical York and area, the beautiful National Park and the stunning North Yorkshire Coast
This road tour takes you through some of England's most beautiful and dramatic landscapes, where ancient history meets huge open skies, untamed moors, and spectacular coastlines. It starts in York, which feels like a time capsule. You may stroll from the tall towers of York Minster to the crooked beauty of The Shambles in just a few steps. You can also walk along the mediaeval city walls and see the rooftops and cathedral spires. You may easily lose track of time in York — exploring museums, discovering galleries, or finding a quiet area by the river.
The road goes up into the North York Moors, where the landscape abruptly and magnificently opens up. Heather-covered hills stretch off into the distance, valleys turn into deep green woodlands, and lonely roads give you that lovely feeling of being somewhere remote yet welcoming. Abbey ruins appear on the skyline, while market villages hide between the hills. The whole area has a serenity that makes you slow down and take a deep breath.
The coast adds even more drama. The North Sea crashes against cliffs between Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay. Fishing villages cling to steep hillsides, and the wind carries the smell of salt and seaweed. Along this coastline you'll find old harbours, gothic legends, and shifting sea views.
Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley, and the wide natural amphitheatre of the Hole of Horcum are among the region’s most fascinating places, blending history, myth, and natural beauty. This journey through York and the North York Moors is varied, refreshing, and deeply rewarding — whether you're following walking trails, relaxing in cosy cafés, exploring historic sites, or simply watching the landscape change as you drive.
York, Yorkshire Moors & Coast
A Historic and Scenic Road Trip
York: The Shambles, the mediaeval walls, York Minster, the Jorvik Viking Centre, and calm river cruises.
Howardian Hills: An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, including the beautiful Castle Howard.
Whitby: The ruins of an abbey on a cliff, sweeping sea views, and world-famous fish and chips.
Scarborough: A classic seaside resort with two bays, a grand castle, and traditional seafront fun.
Yorkshire Coast: Hidden bays, colourful fishing towns, and beautiful clifftop walks.
North York Moors: Wild heather moorland, steam train heritage in towns like Grosmont, and postcard villages such as Thornton-le-Dale.
Historic Sites: Atmospheric abbeys, priory ruins, and stately homes full of stories and legends.
Art and Nature: Discover the landscapes that have inspired artists, poets, folklore, and generations of storytellers.
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Hidden gems and off-the-beaten track
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Must-see highlights included in this North Yorkshire travel guide
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![North Yorkshire driving route]()
North Yorkshire driving route
This Yorkshire road trip loops through some of the county’s most atmospheric landscapes — from the ancient streets of York to the wild edges of the North Sea — covering around 181 miles (294 km) with a drive time of roughly 7 hours. The journey is split into two easy sections, beginning in York before sweeping out towards the coast, the North Riding Forest Park, and finally the open, heather-covered expanse of the North York Moors National Park. With a flexible itinerary and plenty of detours to choose from, it’s a route you can shape entirely to your own pace.
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![York Minster: Yorkshire road trip]()
York Minster
York Minster is the kind of sight that stops you in your tracks. One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, it rises above the city in a maze of stone carvings, soaring arches and incredible stained glass. Built over centuries from the 13th onwards, it is both an architectural marvel and a peaceful place to pause. Climb the central tower for sweeping views across York and out towards the Yorkshire countryside — a perfect way to begin your journey.
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![North York Moors National Park: Yorkshire road trip]()
North York Moors National Park
The North York Moors feel like a wild, free breath of fresh air. There are miles of heather moorland that go on forever, with deep green valleys, meandering roads, and the occasional stone settlement. The cliffs drop sharply into the North Sea along the coast. The Moors are a mix of natural drama, rural charm, and slow, beautiful scenery. You can walk, drive, or stop in one of the small villages for tea and cake.
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![Iconic Whitby Abbey: yorkshire road trip]()
Iconic Whitby Abbey
Whitby Abbey is both mysterious and beautiful, sitting high on a cliff above the harbour. Bram Stoker's Dracula was inspired by its broken arches and aged stone, although its roots go back far further to a monastery built by St. Hilda in the 7th century. Walking about the remains gives you a strong sense of how important they were in the past and how they helped shape early Christianity in England. And what about the views of the coast from the top? You will never forget it.
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![Nostaligic Steam Train: Yorkshire road trip]()
Nostaligic Steam Train
There’s nothing quite like it - one of the most magical ways to experience the Moors is aboard a vintage steam train. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway winds through villages, forests, stations frozen in time, and wide stretches of countryside. As the engine chugs across the landscape, you’ll watch hills roll by, see smoke drift across the heather, and feel that lovely sense of stepping briefly into another era.
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![Scenic Drives: Yorkshire road trips]()
Scenic Drives
North Yorkshire is made for slow, scenic driving. Country lanes weave between stone villages, through wooded valleys, past farmsteads and over high moorland roads where the views seem to stretch forever. Regularly voted among the Top 10 scenic drives in the UK, these routes are perfect for easy weekends, photography stops and spontaneous detours.
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![Discover Jorvick (Viking York): Yorkshire road trip]()
Discover Jorvick (Viking York)
York’s Viking past is impossible to ignore once you know where to look. Excavations unearthed an extraordinary collection of Viking artefacts, buildings and tools — revealing what life looked like in 9th- and 10th-century Jorvik. Today, you can explore these discoveries around the city, learning how York became a thriving trading centre under Viking rule. It’s a vivid window into one of the most fascinating chapters of the city’s history.
North Yorkshire - £11.99
York & North York Moors
Yorkshire Explorer - £16.99
York & North York Moors + Yorkshire Dales & West Yorkshire
Borders & Beyond - £19.99
York & North York Moors + Northumberland Castles & Coast + Edinburgh & Scottish Borders
Point-to-Point Guide and Plan, More Than Just a Map
Our guides are built for road‑trippers who want to go beyond some pins on a map - with flexible, curated itineraries designed to help you explore with purpose and make the most of every moment.
From 3‑day getaways to 2‑week adventures, we provide a point-to-point plan to cherry-pick from, not just how to get there. This is not just a map; it’s a thoughtful guide for a meaningful way to explore with loads of extra travel information.
Digital & Accessible – Read anytime on phone, tablet or desktop for 12 months.
Flexible Itineraries – Plan trips from 3 to 14 days with mix-and-match options.
Curated Highlights – Signposting to attractions, experiences and overnight stops.
Travel and Transport Information – including by car, parking, public transport, and air.
Maps and Route – Google Maps point-to-point, plus references and pre-populated customisable routes.
Online access - nothing to download
Local & Practical Tips – Includes self-guided walking tours, hidden gems and references.
Linked for Ease – Click straight through to bookings and local info.
Printable Shortlist – Save and print your personalised itinerary.
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Things to do in York and North Yorkshire Moors
York is a fascinating, historical city in the north of England and situated near The North York Moors, a beautiful national park, home to stunning scenery, including rolling hills, moorland, and a dramatic coastline. If you're looking for a beautiful, historic, and friendly place to visit, a road trip around the North York Moors and York is a perfect choice.
What to do on a road trip around Yorkshire
Visit York: York is home to several historical sites, including York Minster, the Jorvik Viking Centre, and the National Railway Museum. There are many things to see and do in York, including visiting historical sites, walking around the city walls - York is surrounded by a 13th-century city wall, which is one of the best-preserved in England, and visiting the Shambles - a historic street lined with medieval buildings.
Looking for North Yorkshire Moors things to do? Visiting the Yorkshire Moors provides a chance to experience the rugged beauty of nature and explore the inspiration behind the literary works of authors like Emily Brontë. The North York Moors National Park, and the surrounding area, are bursting with things to see and do in the North York Moors, including:
Look around the Landscapes:
• Walking and hiking—the Moors are a terrific place to take your time. There is a path for every mood and skill level, from pleasant walks around the valley to hard hikes to the top of the heather.
• Biking: The paths are calm and the views are expansive, making this a fantastic place to ride your bike. Ride through river valleys, wide moorland, and pretty tiny towns. The North York Moors feature some of the most beautiful roads in England. There will be rolling hills, sudden views of the sea, and stretches of moorland when it's just you, the sky, and the sound of the wind.
Find Castles, Villages, and Abbeys
• Market Towns and Villages: Helmsley, Pickering, and Whitby are all great places to visit. They each have their own particular charm, cosy cafes, and small stores.
• Historic remains: Go to the atmospheric remains of Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley Castle, and Whitby Abbey on the cliffs, where history, myth, and legend all join together to make a great destination.
Heritage Experience:
• Steam Train Journeys: Take a ride on one of Britain's most famous heritage railways and see the scenery go by from an old-fashioned train car. It's a peaceful and nostalgic way to experience the Moors. Folklore and Legend: This area is full with stories, such ghost stories, old beliefs, and local legends that have shaped Yorkshire's identity for years.
• Art and Literature: The wild beauty of the Moors has inspired artists, poets, and authors for a long time. Follow follow their footsteps and visit the places that inspired their creativity.
Every great road trip begins with an idea — a place that pulls you in, a view you can’t stop thinking about, or simply the urge to get out on the open road. You can dip into fresh inspiration, find experiences to excite you, look for the kind of vehicle that suits your style of travelling, and get practical road trip planning tips to make planning simple rather than stressful. However you like to explore, you’ll find everything you need to start turning your trip into something memorable.
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