Trains to the North York Moors: What You Need to Know

Middlesborough Station: North of the North York Moors

For visitors from the North of England or Scotland, Middlesbrough is a well-connected port town located south of the River Tees. A direct bus to Whitby on the east coast makes stops at various points within the national park, including Kildale, Castleton, Egton Bridge, and Grosmont. You can travel from Newcastle to Middlesbrough in approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes via a direct Northern train.

Scarborough Station: Southern Entry Point to the National Park

On the southeastern edge of the North York Moors, Scarborough is a popular seaside town that provides a great access point to the national park. From Scarborough, you can quickly get onto the Cleveland Way National Trail to start experiencing the beauty of the North York Moors. Or hop on a local bus to take you all around the park. Get from Leeds to Scarborough in just over an hour on fast TransPennine Express services.

Northallerton Station: From London to the North York Moors

Perhaps the speediest way to reach the North York Moors from the south of England is to take high-speed LNER services to Northallerton. From there, your North York Moors experience can start with a short bus ride to Osmotherley, taking you to the Western edge of the national park. With LNER, it takes just 1 hour 30 minutes to travel from Peterborough to Northallerton, or 2 hours 20 minutes to get from London Kings Cross to Northallerton.

Hike through the heather

The North York Moors National Park contains one of the largest expanses of heather moorland in the United Kingdom, making this unique landscape a delight for visitors looking to get outdoors and spend some time in natural surroundings. Walk some (or all!) of the Cleveland Way, the full trail for which takes nine days and spans 109 miles, as it winds through the park from the market town of Helmsley to the coast at Filey.

Cultural sights and sites in the North York Moors

Visit castles, ruined abbeys, and ancient stone crosses on your trip to the North York Moors. Train lovers will marvel at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, one of the world’s greatest heritage railway experiences. If you’re looking for history and heritage, a trip to Helmsley Castle is a must: based in the picturesque market town of Helmsley, the castle boasts 900 years of history to explore. Similarly, Pickering Castle, a 13th-century castle used as a royal hunting lodge, stud farm, and holiday home, offers boundless medieval stories and is an ideal spot for a cultural visit surrounded by stunning scenery in the North York Moors.

Getting to the North York Moors is easy by train and even easier once you arrive, with excellent local bus networks that can take you around the park in no time. Wherever you want to get to, buses running between Middlesborough and Whitby will help you find your dream destination. Feeder bus routes from places like Yarm, Thirsk and as far afield as York connect visitors arriving into the area with the national park.

From Castleton to Pickering, there are so many iconic locations with easy connections, meaning you’ll never need a car to explore the moorlands, woodlands, and charming villages that make the North York Moors so special. Walking and cycling are great options too, with the famous Cleveland Way providing 109 miles of breathtaking trails through the moors. If you’re going to be on a bike, you’ll have many miles of country roads, forest tracks, bridleways, and disused railway lines to navigate, with glorious views coming as standard wherever you go!

Whether your thing is quaint B&Bs, traditional country inns, or boutique hotels, the North York Moors National Park has a wide range of accommodation options for every taste. Small towns like Pickering and Helmsley offer an ideal base from which to explore the heart of the moorland and its many cultural attractions. If you prefer a coastal hotspot with lots of family activities close by, look for beach-view apartments in Whitby or Scarborough.

Seasonal travel advice for the North York Moors

Late Summer at one of the largest continuous expanses of heather moorland in England is a special time, as the moors turn a deep shade of purple. If you’re visiting at this time of year, don’t miss Whitby Regatta, a 180-year-old tradition, filled with rowing races, firework displays, fancy dress competitions, and so much more!

Respect wildlife

North York Moors rangers advise visitors to respect paths and grass verges, which may have an abundance of life contained in them, even when it doesn’t seem like it. Baby mammals and birds can nest on or close to the ground, so always tread carefully. North Yorkshire has the greatest number of confirmed incidents of raptor persecution, so the authorities urge all visitors to report any incidents of wildlife crime you might spot. Finally, always remember to take litter home with you, including dog poo: there aren't many bins on the moors, so please carry out what you carry in.

North York Moors Visitor Information

Tourist Information Centres and Information Points are located in many market towns and villages across the North York Moors. Friendly staff will be happy to help you with accommodation booking, buying tickets for local theatres and shows, public transport information, and more. The main sites for the most detailed information can be found at Sutton Bank and Danby Lodge (alongside Dalby Forest).

Buy Cheap Train Tickets

Whatever you have planned for your stay in the North York Moors, get there in the most environmentally friendly way possible when you travel by train. And there’s no need to pay more to take public transport: with TrainPal, you can buy cheap train tickets, including split tickets and advanced prices to help keep costs down. Did you know that adding a Railcard can save you up to a third on your fare? Choose from a 16–25 Railcard, Senior Railcard, Two Together, or Family & Friends Railcard depending on your eligibility. It’s time to experience the North York Moors by train for unforgettable adventures at an affordable price! 

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