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The North York Moors
This is an ideal introduction to some of England's wildest countryside, with the hotels providing a high standard of comfort and cuisine. The North York Moors is typical of a British national park: sheep-grazed moorland, dry-stone walls, relics of ancient human habitation and the continuing traditions of hill-farms. Basic route of walk. Nights: 4
Starting point: Fox and Hounds Country Inn (4 diamonds), Sinnington. Located right on the edge of the national park, this is a charming former coaching inn with beamed ceilings, wood-panelled walls and open fireplaces. The restaurant justly enjoys an excellent reputation locally, with imaginative dishes such as duck and pistachio paté. Day 1: Leaving the picturesque village of Sinnington, you climb gradually up across farmland onto the heather-clad Spaunton Moor, which you cross before descending steeply to the famous village of Rosedale Abbey. (13.5km, 3h30)
Accommodation: The Milburn Arms Hotel is situated in the pretty village of Rosedale Abbey, overlooking the village green. This is a welcoming inn with a friendly atmosphere, excellent cooking and hand-pulled real ales.
Day 2: Today's route is quite varied, initially leading along the valley, through fields and pastureland, then climbing out of the valley for a very scenic walk over open moorland. From here, you descend across farmland to Egton Bridge. (15km, 4h30) Accommodation: Horseshoe Inn, Egton Bridge. This picturesque inn is located on the south bank of the River Esk. Breakfast only is included - choose to dine here or at the village's other inn.
Day 3: Today you have a number of options. Get a transfer to the bowl-shaped valley known as the 'Hole of Horcum', where a choice of routes allows you to walk over rolling expanses of heather or through the hole itself, both leading to the charming village of Levisham and the delightful Horseshoe pub. Wooded valleys then lead on to the attractive market town of Pickering. Alternatively, you can be transferred to the pretty village of Goathland (home of TV's 'Heartbeat') from where you can take a steam train to Levisham (summer months only - pay locally) before rejoining the walk to Pickering. (22.5km, 7h)
Accommodation: White Swan Inn, Pickering. This is an historic inn dating from the 16th century and well situated in the centre of this picturesque market town. It is renowned for its local cuisine and has held an AA rosette award for the last ten years.
Take time out to visit the impressive castle ruins or to explore this traditional northern market town at your leisure. The Beck Isle Museum of Rural Life celebrates the history of the town and area while the parish church of St Peter & St Paul (just up the street) contains several fascinating 15th century paintings which feature 'George and the Dragon', 'St Christopher' and 'St Thomas a Becket'. In October, Pickering is the setting for an annual 'wartime weekend' - organised by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway - in which the whole town goes back in time to the Pickering of 1943 to honour those who gave their lives while working on the railways of Britain during the War.
Pickering Castle is an almosty perfect example of a classic earthen Norman 'motte and bailey' fortification. Started during the reign of William I to defend his northern lands against the rebellious locals, it was rebuilt in stone during the 13th century but was in ruins by the reign of Henry VIII.
Prices & travel 2008
*Price includes: 4 nights' bed & breakfast, 3 dinners, plus 3 picnics.
The route:
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