Places of Interest in Pickering

Pickering is the ideal base for your stay in Ryedale. One day is not nearly long enough to appreciate all there is to do in the area; make sure you book several days at Bramwood! Spend a day in Pickering itself. This small market town, home to less than 7,000 inhabitants, boasts a variety of excellent family run shops offering a friendly personal service which may surprise city dwellers. There are branches of several large banks (with cash machines) a post office and a recently modernised public library offering internet access. There is a daily covered Flea Market and a small street market on Mondays.

The Parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul dates back to Norman times, with the tower being added in the 13th Century. Most importantly, perhaps, it houses “the most complete collection of medieval wall paintings in England” (Nicholas Pevsner) which attract thousands of visitors per year. www.pickeringchurch.com

The Beck Isle Museum with its 27 rooms covers many aspects of local, social and family history & militaria. It is also home to the Sydney Smith photographic collection of photographic equipment and local photography depicting local history and landscapes from the early 20th century. www.beckislemuseum.org

Pickering Castle was originally a wooden structure started by William the Conqueror. It was replaced by a stone version in later years. Subsequently it was a royal hunting lodge and a royal holiday retreat and many of its walls and towers remain today. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/pickering-castle/

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is one of the longest and most popular heritage railways in the country. It will take you on a journey through some breathtaking scenery. Railway buffs will enjoy the variety of steam trains themselves, the viewing sheds at Grosmont and the lovingly restored and tended stations. Fascinating stuff, and not just for “anoraks”! TV watchers will enjoy Goathland’s association with “Heartbeat” and Hogwarts Station of Harry Potter fame. www.nymr.co.uk

Places of Interest near by

Just 7 miles away (and easily accessible by bus) is Eden Camp, the award winning modern history theme museum. Constructed in the huts of a former POW camp built in 1942, it gives a unique and fascinating insight into life in Britain during World War II. Allow a minimum of 3 or 4 hours for your visit, and prepare to feel exhausted and overwhelmed afterwards! www.edencamp.co.uk

No visit to this area could be considered complete without spending at least a day in York. If you want to leave the car behind, travel the 28 miles from Pickering to York centre in 1 hour 10 minutes by Coastliner bus, or drive to one of the Park & Ride car parks.

Visit The Minster, climb the tower, go down the crypt www.yorkminster.org. Walk the walls by day www.visityork.org/explore.  Hunt the ghouls by night www.ghosthunt.co.uk.  Cruise the Ouse on a guided river trip www.yorkboat.co.uk. Learn about Vikings www.jorvik-viking-centre.co.uk. If you lose all your money at the races www.yorkracecourse.co.uk don’t forget that admission to the National Railway Museum is free www.nrm.org.uk. And if you get lucky at the races, the shopping’s rather good as well!

The historic market town of Helmsley is a 15 mile drive or bus ride. Visit the Castle, and the Walled Garden which is being lovingly and expertly restored by a team of devoted volunteers. www.helmsleywalledgarden.org.uk

If you feel the call of the sea, go the 20 miles to Whitby. Visit the Abbey, St. Mary’s Church, the Captain Cook Museum, climb the 199 steps, eat fish ‘n’ chips, and be on the lookout for Dracula at all times. If donkeys on a sandy beach appeal, then Scarborough is for you and only 18 miles distant. Again, both these destinations are accessible by a regular bus service from Pickering, and check the North York Moors railway timetable for details of the Earlybird service which provides through trips all the way from Pickering to Whitby.

Many people feel that a visit to this area is incomplete without a trip to Castle Howard www.castlehoward.co.uk, the magnificent 18th century house (of Brideshead Revisited fame) with 1000 acres of parkland, lakes, gardens, statues, fountains and shops.

There are several other historic houses and gardens of note, Duncombe Park, Burton Agnes, Sledmere. The contemporary Walled Garden at Scampston attracts many visitors. Our personal favourite is Wytherstone Gardens at Pockley, near Helmsley.

The deserted medieval village of Wharram Percy is well worth a visit. Click here for historical details. 

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EVENTS CALENDAR 2020

- For comprehensive event listings for the surrounding area visit the following websites: 

https://www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com/whats-on/.   

     https://www.ryedale.gov.uk/living-here/things-to-do/tourism-travel/major-events-in-ryedale.html

 https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/whats-on 

PLACES TO EAT IN PICKERING

There are certainly a good variety of pubs, cafés and restaurants to suit all pockets and tastes in Pickering and all within a very short walk, too. We are always happy to advise you on suitable choices, and we keep a selection of menus. Please note that some restaurants, especially the smaller, family-run ones, may take last orders at around 8.30pm. And it may be advisable to book, especially during busy periods. We’ll be happy to do this for you. Here is a small selection:   

There are certainly a good variety of pubs, cafés and restaurants to suit all pockets and tastes in Pickering and all within a very short walk, too. We are always happy to advise you on suitable choices, and we keep a selection of menus. Please note that some restaurants, especially the smaller, family-run ones, may take last orders at around 8.30pm. And it may be advisable to book, especially during busy periods. We’ll be happy to do this for you. Here is a small selection:       

Willowgate Bistro, Willowgate, Tel 01751 476300, www.willowgatebistro.co.uk 

Owner and Chef, Matthew and his team thrive on sourcing the very best of local produce to put on the menu, which changes regularly. While wife, Gemma runs the front of house with her well-trained team, all of which you will find very knowledgeable, helpful and nothing too much trouble.                                                                  

Fortune Inn, Park St, Tel. 01751 476116 
Excellent Chinese food, friendly and efficient service. Stays open late.

Figaro's Restaurant, Birdgate Tel 01751 477733. Fresh tasty and reasonably priced Italian food.

Cilantro Pan-Indian Restaurant, Market Place Tel 01751 472233.Open 7 days aweek from 5:00pm - 11:00pm.

Spice 4U, Hungate 
Tel. 01751 473334
www.spice4u.co.uk 
Modern, colourful, well-presented Indian food. Stays open late.

The Bay Horse, Market Place,  01751 472526

Historic Inn great for a quick drink or good value pub food.

White Swan, Market Place 
Tel. 01751 472288
Treat yourselves!

Forest & Vale, Malton Road
Tel. 01751 472722
Beautifully presented food served in the bar and restaurant.

Black Swan, Birdgate
Tel. 01751 472286
Good value pub grub.

Capplemans, Market Place Tel. 01751 476984. Award winning traditional fish 'n' chips. Restaurant and takeaway.                                                                     

Further afield, but well worth the journey

We advise you to book to avoid a wasted journey.

The Brandysnap Bistro, Maltongate, Thornton-le-Dale Tel. 01751 474732
www.brandysnapbistro.co.uk
2 miles along the A170 towards Scarborough. Run by a couple, so only small, but serves a very varied menu with some imaginative vegetarian options. Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

The Fox & Rabbit, Lockton
Tel. 01751 460213
4 miles along the A169 towards Whitby (lovely views up there!). A friendly, welcoming food-led pub serving fresh local produce in generous Yorkshire quantities.

The Magpie Café, North Quay, Whitby  
Tel. 01947 602058
www.magpiecafe.co.uk Reputably one of the best fish ‘n’ chip shops in the country.  Limited booking, so expect to queue. Worth it, though.

BRAMWOOD FOR CYCLISTS

The North York Moors are recognised as one of the very best areas for cycling in England. The region offers a vast and varied network of quiet lanes and off road tracks that make best use of the topography and stunning views afforded by the moorland, forest and coastal scenery. There are a number of cross country cycle trails around the National Park, and a wealth of purpose built trails in nearby Dalby Forest. Contrast this with the former railway track along the coast between Whitby and Scarborough which offers spectacular views of this very special coastline. Other cycle routes utilising dismantled railways can be found around the North York Moors, often at a high level, demonstrating the Moors’ industrial heritage. Popular examples of such trails are in nearby Rosedale and Farndale where the rural moorland setting contrasts with the ruined remains of the ironstone industry.

Pickering is at the centre of an area comprising the North York Moors, Howardian Hills and the Yorkshire Wolds. Click www.mtb-routes.co.uk/northyorkmoors/default.aspx to see a location map and details of nearby routes. Pickering is also one of the starting points for the Moor to Sea cycle route – a triangular route, mainly off-road, of some 110km over the moors and through the forests to Whitby and Scarborough. www.moortoseacycle.net

Dalby Forest is less than 10km away, and boasts what is probably England’s finest mountain biking facility. Clickwww.singletraction.org.uk/downloads/dalbymap01.jpg for a map of the forest showing the various routes graded by colour. There is something for everyone here whatever your age and ability level. Green for easy family cycling of either 4k or 10k, blue also technically easy but involving a significant climb up onto the Dalby plateau and a route distance of 14k, red on 40k of the newly built singletrack for experienced and fit cyclists, black about 10k but strictly for experts.

 We are members of the national Cyclists Welcome scheme and offer secure cycle storage.

There are two cycle shops in Pickering, one only 200 metres away on Market Place. 

Bramwood for Walkers

 There is a wealth of walking opportunities nearby, suitable for all levels of ability. Choose anything from a gentle stroll of a few miles along a well graded track right up to a long slog across the high moor to one of the iconic moorland crosses. The North York Moors combine a dramatic coastline, wild upland moorland, interesting villages, and carefully tended farmland in the valley bottoms. Add to this numerous points of interest from the Moors’ industrial heritage, a substantial number of ruined abbeys and castles, and what is arguably the foremost steam railway in the country. All can be explored on foot using a well developed network of footpaths, bridleways and open access land within the North York Moors National Park.

Bramwood is close to Pickering town centre so you have a choice of restaurants nearby for your evening meal. Being in a town also gives you the opportunity of leaving your car behind and taking the steam railway or the bus to or from the start or finish of your day’s walk. We have the timetables and can advise on options. From 1st April 2012 the Moorsbus network operates on Sundays and bank holidays. It offers very good value: travel for the whole day for £5 (2011 prices) and is a walker’s delight because it allows the planning of linear routes through remote parts of the moor.

Pickering is a "Walkers are Welcome" town having achieved that status in 2009. Full details of this accreditation plus lots of local walking related information can be found on the Pickering Walkers are Welcome website. pickeringwaw

As a taster, here are some popular walks:

Hole of Horcum circular across Levisham Moor and via Skelton Tower. (about 10km, 6 miles). This walk offers spectacular views across and down into Newtondale. Time it right and a steam train will thunder up Newtondale whilst you sit at Skelton Tower taking in the view. You can use bus 840 to get to the start of this walk.

Blakey Topping via Thompsons Rigg and Crosscliff. (about 8km, 5 miles) Local legend has it that the distinctive conical shaped Blakey Topping was formed when Wade (a local giant) scooped up a clod of earth (which formed the Hole of Horcum – see above) and threw it at Bel, his long suffering wife. Fortunately he missed, but Blakey Topping is where the earth landed. Bus 840 again will take you to one of the starting points for this walk.

The Bridestones and Staindale Lake. (about 10km, 6 miles) The stones stand on the edge
of a steep sided valley and have weathered into unusual shapes – typically wide at the top and narrower lower down. Abundant birdlife around the lake. If you start this walk from Lockton then once again you can leave the car behind and use the bus. This does add about 3 miles to the total distance.

If you would like to walk from the door of Bramwood then take a look at these suggestions by clicking here

For a list of 49 walks on the North York Moors with maps and descriptions click here

As well as all these local walking opportunities we can offer the following extras:-

• We are members of the national Walkers Welcome scheme and have been assessed on our facilities for walkers.

•  We may be able to arrange for a local guide to lead your walk (any level) and hopefully to take you to those parts of the Moors that you might not otherwise find.
•  Should the weather be unkind, we will do our very best to dry your outdoor clothing and boots for the following day.
• If you give us 24 hours notice we will prepare a basic packed lunch for you (price and content to be agreed), and there are several cafés and bakers shops in town which will offer you a wider choice of provisions.