History and HERITAGE Our five-day sample itineraries have been ©VBI developed using newly commissioned market research around the Uncover centuries of England’s perfect short-break history and heritage surrounded by holiday for the target the spectacular scenery of the North customer, ‘Explorers’ York Moors National Park. Take a tour aged 45 years+ from of England’s finest historic houses near Europe, who like to and gardens, Castle Howard. Discover experience the culture friendly local towns and villages, hidden and heritage of a new historic churches, majestic castles and English destination, full abbey ruins. Visit local artists’ studios of little surprises, at a and enjoy some of the best food and more relaxed pace. They drink in perfect idyllic settings. include experiences taking in the beautiful WELCOME TO THE NORTH YORK surroundings of the MOORS – WHERE PEACE AND BEAUTY North York Moors AWAITS YOU. National Park and its DAY ONE: Meet the locals stunning coast, along with free time to visit Arrive in comfort by car ferry, from either the areas ‘must-sees’ Rotterdam to Hull (P&O), or from Amsterdam to Newcastle (DFDS), both operate a daily and engage with the service. Your onward drive is around 1 ½ hours local culture. (89 km) to your accommodation in the North All products highlighted in the York Moors National Park – The Feathers, small itineraries in BOLD are bookable Coaching Inn group, located in the heart of the in advance, all others are either market town of Helmsley. payable at the attraction/venue Take time to get to know this market town + place or free of charge. to eat, pub/cafe DAY TWO: Castle Howard Helmsley Walled Garden: Well worth a visit is the five-acre Helmsley Walled Garden, After a relaxing breakfast, take the scenic North York Moors’ own ‘secret English journey by car through the Howardian garden’, where you can wander through Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 5 acres of traditional walled gardens, offering to Castle Howard, one of England’s finest a tranquil oasis amidst an intoxicating mix of historic houses and gardens. scents and colour. INSIDER’S TIP: Take a historic guided tour Relax over lunch at the Vinehouse Café Enjoy a tour of the 18th century house, beneath Victorian vines laden with grapes, where the knowledgeable guides can before you take the scenic short walk from lead you through the inspiring building Helmsley onto the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, highlighting the world-renowned along the signed Cleveland Way National Trail. collections of furniture, paintings, bronze, and china. Rievaulx Abbey - explore the impressive ruins of one of England’s most powerful Take your time over lunch in the Boathouse Cistercian monasteries, reflecting nearly Café, overlooking the Great Lake. 1,000 years of spiritual, commercial, and romantic history, since its founding in 1130. The grounds here are breath-taking - the gardens have been designed on a Have dinner at one of Helmsley’s eateries or monumental scale with over 1,000 acres to drive out to one of several lovely country pubs explore. You’ll find statues, lakes, temples for dinner, such as the award winning Hare Inn and fountains along with an 18th century at Scawton. walled garden. Before you head off, pop into the estate shop to take home a INSIDER’S TIP: See medieval artefacts memento of your holiday. Stop by the museum at Rievaulx Abbey to get up close to previously unseen artefacts DAY THREE: Helmsley Walled including medieval stone carvings, chess Garden & Rievaulx Abbey pieces and gold coins. Helmsley Castle: Helmsley is a picturesque quintessential English market town on the banks of the River Rye, sheltered beneath the striking ruins of the 900-year old Helmsley Castle. Discover how the castle evolved over the centuries, from a mighty medieval fortress to a luxurious Tudor mansion, to a Civil War stronghold and a romantic Victorian ruin. ©VBI DAY FOUR: Hutton-le-Hole and Rosedale One of the most picturesque villages in Cakes campaign) followed by a scenic the North York Moors. A clear moorland walk around the village, or take one of stream tumbles through the centre of the several tracks to get a long view of the village green. The village is home to this secluded valley nestling in the high the marvellous outdoor Ryedale Folk moorland. Museum where you can learn all about the local history. Call in to see glass blowing at Gillies Jones. Four hundred years ago, a group Meander around the village; watch local of Huguenot craftsmen practised the artisans at work at Hutton-le-Hole Craft secret and illegal art of glass-making in Workshops, enjoy handmade chocolates Rosedale. Internationally renowned glass- from the Chocolate Factory. makers Stephen Gillies and Kate Jones continue the tradition today. Visit their INSIDER’S TIP: Uncover English history Rosedale Abbey workshop and gallery St Mary’s Church - a few miles away in the old forge and take home a unique from Hutton-le-Hole lies Lastingham’s piece of glass, inspired by the landscapes St Mary’s Church, famous for its of the North York Moors. atmospheric eleventh-century crypt. Then onto the village of Rosedale Abbey, for lunch at a pub or café (Graze on the Green or Abbey Tearooms are both part of the North York Moors Capital of DAY FIVE: NORTH YORK MOORS ‘MUST-SEES’ Today is your own to take in one or two of the area’s ‘must-sees’, all within easy distance by car, before you return home. Stock up on picnic treats in one of Helmsley’s enticing delis, bakeries or take away cafes. Our recommendations include: Sutton Bank: Take a picnic ‘on top of the world’ as you take in the big-skies and open panoramas from Sutton Bank looking over to Hood Hill or Gormire Lake, one of only two natural lakes in the North York Moors National Park, described as one of “England’s To find out even more Finest” views. Hire a bike from Sutton Bank about the local culture of the Bikes or take a walk on one of several well- places you visit why not arrange signed routes. a local guide – a list of guides can be Ampleforth Abbey - join the Community found in the Supplier Listing. of Benedictine monks for Mass and the Divine office, or a behind the scenes tour Other accommodation options are of the Abbey’s orchards and Cider Mill available. Day passes to the heritage to see how Ampleforth Abbey’s famous cider and cider brandy is made. attractions can be included. Return by car ferry from either Hull Times and dates are subject to to Rotterdam or from Newcastle to change, please check with Amsterdam, both are around a 1 hour and 30-minute drive from North York Moors. suppliers.