If you’re looking for a day out packed with excitement for the whole family, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is just the ticket. This historic line runs from the charming market town of Pickering all the way to the seaside town of Whitby, with plenty of delightful stops along the way.
Whether you’re hopping off to explore quaint villages, stretch your legs in the heart of the moors, or just riding the rails for the thrill of it, this journey is as flexible as it is fun. The railway offers a magical mix of steam and diesel trains, making it a real hit with train enthusiasts, both big and small.
Running Times and Tickets:
Purchasing tickets in advance online saves money, and the earlier they are booked the larger the percentage saved, up to 30% for purchasing them at least 14 days in advance. At the time of writing, children go free.
The trains run most days in the Summer. In Spring and Autumn months, the trains usually run Saturday to Tuesday, and in the Winter months they operate a limited time table. During local school holidays the trains run every day.
Click here to see the train timetable and here to book tickets.
Parking/ Travelling:
There are paid car parks by the railway at all stops except Whitby, though these are small and can fill up quickly. At Whitby there is also a car park by the station but this is not operated by North Yorkshire Moors Railway. As it is often difficult to park in Whitby, I would recommend the park and ride there.
The Coastliner buses offer very scenic journeys to Pickering and Whitby.
Prams and Accessibility:
I would not recommend taking a pram unless you are happy to fold it when boarding the trains. However, the website states that staff will be happy to help with folding and storing prams.
Wheelchair and mobility scooter users can use the specially adapted accessibility carriages, where there are wider doors, ramps and an accessible toilet.
Things to do on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway
1. Visit Goathland
Hop on a steam train for a magical family day out to Goathland, the picturesque village that doubled as Hogsmeade in the Harry Potter films. Kids will love spotting familiar sights from the movies, while grown-ups can enjoy visiting locations from the classic TV series Heartbeat, including the Aidensfield Arms pub and Scripps Garage. Throughout the year, Goathland hosts fun events like the Scarecrow Trail, making each visit a new adventure.
2. Visit Grosmont
Home to the railway’s engine sheds, Grosmont offers a behind the scenes look at the magnificent steam and diesel locomotives, where visitors can often peek into the sheds and see the engines up close. Enthusiasts can book to see a tour of the engine shed. There is also a small shop selling train related goods in Grosmont, as well as a pub.
The final stop on the line, Whitby is famous for being the birthplace of Dracula. There is so much to do, such as visit the abbey, the beaches, take a boat trip or visit during Whitby Goth Weekend. The first time I took the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, we went straight to Whitby and spent the whole day there!
4. Walk between the stations
The second (and most recent) time we took the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, we disembarked at Goathland and walked to Grosmont. There is a quaint pub in Beck Hole, 20 minutes into the walk, though at the time of writing it accepts cash only, and then the rest of the walk is an hour through beautiful countryside. I would say it is fairly easy going as we did it with our baby in the sling and a deadline to make the return train!
Things to do nearby with kids
A wonderful open air museum, Ryedale Folk Museum is nestled in the quaint village of Hutton-le-Hole in North Yorkshire. There are more than 20 buildings that show how life was lived from the Iron Age to the 20th century and tons of activities to keep the little ones interested. A good few hours could be enjoyed at this museum.
2. Pickering
A wonderfully typical North Yorkshire town, Pickering boasts a castle, a surprisingly large museum (Beck Isle) and lots of excellent places to eat. It is also the most Southerly stop of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway – an excellent way to experience a steam train.
2. Helmsley Town
This vibrant town has lots to do with kids as well as the Castle, such as the Helmsley Archeology Store, Helmsley Walled Gardens and Rievaulx Abbey only a short distance away.
3. Scampston Hall and Walled Gardens
There is lots to explore here, from the beautifully designed walled garden to the extensive parkland, hundreds of years old trees, river and lots of little historical buildings, and that’s all before you even enter the house! You could spend a morning or afternoon well here.
