Destinations > Northern England > York & North York Moors
Historic York & North Yorkshire Moors Road Trip
Explore captivating York, where history lives in ancient streets and impressive architecture. Immerse yourself in the past, discovering iconic landmarks from York Minster to the Shambles.
Embrace the wild and breathtaking landscape of North York Moors, where endless heather-covered hills stretch. Enjoy the best North York Moors driving route!
Visit intriguing abbeys and splendid stately homes, revealing tales of religious history and opulent lifestyles. Look no further if you’re looking for places to visit in the North Yorkshire Moors.
Admire the coastal vistas that inspired artists like J.M.W. Turner. Discover the birthplace of legends, where myths and folklore merge with the landscape.
Visit York and the North Yorkshire Moors
Explore historic York with its iconic Minster and medieval streets like The Shambles. Venture into the North Yorkshire Moors for breathtaking landscapes, charming villages, and outdoor activities such as hiking and wildlife watching. Don't miss the scenic drives along the moors, coastline and valleys. Enjoy local food and drink in pubs and tearooms, and visit historic sites.
☑ North Yorkshire driving route:
This York and North York Moors road trip navigates around the National Park and the coastline with a distance of around 181 miles (294km), a drive time of 7 hours, and a duration of 4 to 5 days. This route is split into two, starting in York. the coast, and North Riding Forest Park, before travelling around the beautiful North York Moors National Park. The road trip guide includes location guides for 15 North Yorkshire destinations and hotspots. Make this York and North York Moors trip your own, by using the flexible itinerary to fit the time you have from 3 days to 2 weeks.
☑ York Minster:
The spectacular York Minster will surely be top of your must-sees on this Yorkshire road trip. York Minster is one of the largest and most magnificent Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe. Construction of the cathedral began in the 13th century, resulting in a stunning architectural masterpiece, renowned for its intricate stone carvings, elaborate stained glass windows, and soaring central tower, offering panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside.
☑ North York Moors National Park:
The North Yorkshire Moors is a stunning national park known for its vast expanses of heather-covered moorland, rugged coastline, and picturesque villages. Take in the rolling hills, deep valleys, and dramatic cliffs along the North Sea coast on this stunning Yorkshire road trip. The North Yorkshire Moors offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural heritage, and outdoor activities, making it a captivating destination for road trippers.
☑ Iconic Whitby Abbey:
Discover the iconic Whitby Abbey, with its connection to Bram Stoker's "Dracula." providing inspiration for the well-known vampire novel. Uncover Whitby Abbey’s long history that dates back to the 7th century, when it was founded by St. Hilda on this fascinating Yorkshire drive. Learn more about how the abbey became a significant religious center and played a role in shaping the history of Christianity in England.
☑ Nostaligic Steam Train:
Enjoy a nostalgic steam train ride across the North Yorkshire Moors that time offers a charming and scenic experience. As the train chugs along the picturesque countryside, passengers are treated to breathtaking views of rolling hills, quaint villages, and heather-covered moorland. It's a leisurely and memorable way to explore the beauty of the North Yorkshire Moors while indulging in a bit of nostalgia on your Yorkshire road trip.
☑ Scenic Drives:
Explore North Yorkshire's diverse landscapes and charming villages with several scenic drives, offering opportunities to explore the natural beauty and picturesque villages of North Yorkshire at a leisurely pace, making them perfect for a relaxing day out or a weekend getaway. Often voted top 10 of scenic drives, find a memorable driving route on your Yorkshire road trip.
☑ Discover Jorvick (Viking York):
Learn more about Viking York, known as Jorvik. Glimpse into the Viking presence in the area during the 9th and 10th centuries via archaeological excavations that revealed Viking-age artefacts and structures, providing insights into the daily life, culture, and trade of the Vikings in York. Discover several places in York to discover Viking artefacts. Exploring these sites will provide you with the city's rich history during the Viking era.
☑ North Yorkshire Maps:
This North Yorkshire road trip is mapped out on 3 Yorkshire maps, including a flexible driving route. Use the Overnight Stay that pinpoints 55+ Yorkshire Campsites, 30+ Motorhome stops, pub stops & almost wild spots, 45+ Hotels, 75+ B&Bs, guesthouses and lodges and Uncover More maps to pinpoint 20+ Viewpoints, 75+ Places of interest, 25+ Hidden gems and 5 Wild swim. spots. This planner is suitable for motorhomes, campervans and caravans as sites are included. If you are travelling in a car, choose to camp or stay in a B&B or hotel are also listed.
☑ York and North Yorkshire Moors Road Trip Itinerary:
This travel guide and itinerary for exploring the moors and coastline of North Yorkshire. The travel guide covers visitor information for 15 destinations along the way, plus links and references. Check out iconic, historic sites, dramatic coast, stunning moorland, walks in the area, myths, folklore and legend, and more, with references and 100s of attractions. Browse things to do in Yorkshire, including local experiences and activities available as bookable links.
England Road Trip Travel Guide: York and North York Moors Overview
Save hours searching the internet using our well-researched inspiration and signposting to plan your perfect visit to North Yorkshire.
Enjoy a road trip to North Yorkshire on this flexible driving route itinerary.
Find the best North Yorkshire campsites, almost wild spots, pub stops and motorhome stopover spots from our Overnight Stays map.
Travelling in a car? Stay overnight in a hotel or B&B.
This North Yorkshire route planner covers guides to 15 destinations
The North Yorkshire destination guide includes references and embedded links to over 80 attractions, experiences, and activities.
Browse from a range of bookable, local experiences and activities, by location, such as tours, boat trips, bike hire, and things to do in the Lakes.
Easily locate viewpoints, hidden gems, wild swim spots and more.
Buy the North Yorkshire Road Trip in two ways:
Individual Road Trip
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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:
Hiking: There are many hiking trails in the North York Moors, ranging from easy walks to challenging hikes.
Cycling: The North York Moors is also a great place for cycling, with several scenic routes to explore.
Driving: The North York Moors is a great place to drive, with many scenic roads to explore. The North Yorkshire Moors driving route offers a captivating journey through rolling hills, scenic moorland landscapes, charming villages, and historic sites, providing a truly immersive experience for nature enthusiasts and history lovers alike.
Visiting villages: The North York Moors is home to several charming villages, including Helmsley, Pickering, and Whitby.
Visiting Castles and Abbeys: The North York Moors is also home to a number of castles and iconic architecture, including Helmsley Castle and Rievaulx Abbey. Visit Whitby Abbey and discover its history and links with folklore.
Take a steam train: the heritage steam railway is one of the most popular and scenic heritage railways in the United Kingdom, offering visitors a nostalgic journey through the picturesque North York Moors National Park.
Iconic and stunning views: Ribblehead Viaduct is one of the most iconic and picturesque railway viaducts in the United Kingdom. Ribblehead Viaduct spans the Ribble Valley in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It makes a memorable;e visit and a great photo opportunity.
Enjoying the food and drink: The North York Moors is home to some of the best food and drink in the UK, from fresh produce to locally-produced gin.
Folklore & Legend: Discover the myths, legends and folklore that are intertwined with the landscape.
Artists & Literary Inspiration: Learn more about those who have been inspired by the landscape.