Setting out to explore the North York Moors National Park is guaranteed to clear the head and reinvigorate the mind. Whether you’re traversing the sweeping moorland on horseback, heading on a guided tour along the epic coastline or stopping for Michelin-starred plates in the pretty villages, this is the ideal place to take some time for yourself. Though a trip in spring and summer is always a treat, we think there’s something especially relaxing about visiting during autumn; the sun-dappled piles of fiery fallen leaves, the golden afternoons and the less-crowded paths make autumn the perfect season in the North York Moors.
1. Treasure-filled walks
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The North York Moors is famous for its impressive views, and there’s no better way to experience this landscape than to fully immerse yourself in it on one of the national park’s many hikes. One of the most popular and most scenic is the 109-mile Cleveland Way. It starts in the pretty market town of Helmsley, carving a route through the charming countryside and breathtaking moorland and along coastal paths from Saltburn in the north to Filey in the south. Many people choose to walk the route over a week or longer, and giving yourself the freedom to go at your own pace is a brilliant way to take time out and fully indulge in everything the national park has to offer.
But if you only have an afternoon, there are much quicker ways to travel along the paths and bridleways of the North York Moors while still soaking in all that gorgeous scenery. Friendly, family-run Bilsdale Riding Centre offers guided horse rides suitable even for novices, and zipping through the landscape on two wheels hired from Hutch E Bikes in Helmsley is an ideal way to see more of the western edge of the national park.
Guided walking tours are also available to many of the park’s most interesting sites, but for something a little different, take a Full Moon or Night Navigation tour with Large Outdoors to experience the moorlands in a spectacular new light.
2. Fine food
Home to globally renowned restaurants and a fantastic variety of places to eat, the North York Moors is a food-lover’s paradise. The Star Inn at Harome near Helmsley is a cosy, thatched inn-with-rooms that dates back to the 14th century, but the seasonal menu served here, which puts local produce in the spotlight, is nothing short of contemporary brilliance. The Michelin-starred restaurant has become so popular that it has expanded to two other locations, in York and Whitby. It’s well worth a visit in autumn to see what dishes chef Andrew Pern has concocted from freshly harvested heirloom vegetables, rare breed meats and local seafood.
It’s not the only place in the North York Moors to join the ranks of the Michelin-starred – charming restaurant The Black Swan at Oldstead has also claimed such an accolade, and its chef Tommy Banks notched up triumphant scores on the BBC’s Great British Menu two years running.
But of course, the North York Moors National Park is not just about fancy establishments – there are plenty of small producers, bistros, delis and independent pop-ups to try too. And if you’d like to delve even deeper into the food culture of the coast and moorlands, you can certainly roll up your sleeves, don an apron and have a go yourself. From artisanal bread-making classes to foraging on the shoreline, there’s an abundance of appetite-whetting activities which will allow you to spend a relaxing afternoon learning a new skill.
3. A world of wildlife
If you never feel more at peace than when surrounded by nature, the North York Moors National Park’s stunning – and often unusual – flora and fauna should be high on your hit list. Luckily for those who struggle to tell gulls from gannets, wildlife knowledge is not essential – there are a number of guided tours, from bird-watching to twilight cruises to the local seal colony. For a lasting memory, take a trip to snap pictures of birds of prey with Richard Baines and Steve Race from Yorkshire Coast Nature, or join one of wildlife photographer Gordon Richardson’s bespoke tours, which offer the chance to photograph red grouse, deer or hares from the quiet of one of his restful nature hides dotted across the North York Moors.
4. Woodland wander
Though the North York Moors is best known for its namesake moorland, it is also home to some truly exceptional woodland. Trees cover 23 per cent of the national park, so there are ample secluded spots for a contemplative walk, a restful picnic or a long, lazy afternoon reading a book surrounded by the orange, yellows and reds of the autumnal leaves. A visit to May Beck, the home of the stunning 30ft Falling Foss waterfall, is a must, and a ramble through the centuries-old trees of Garbutt Wood is a magical experience. At High Dalby House, indulge in some eco-therapy with mindfulness sessions in the calming atmosphere of the woodlands based around the Japanese tradition of shinrin-yoku (forest bathing). Hunt for edible plants on the forest floor with Wild Roots Foraging and unleash your inner survivalist with a course on the essentials of bushcraft with Rewilding Adventure, where you’ll learn how to make a shelter and even carve a spoon with which to eat your foraged supper.
5. Spectacular stargazing
Though undoubtedly beautiful by day, the North York Moors National Park is just as special by night. The national park has some of the darkest, clearest skies in the country; it’s one of only 18 places in the world to have been awarded the accreditation of International Dark Sky Reserve, signifying the lack of light pollution and the brilliance of the stars in the area.
The North York Moors is rich with options for stargazing, with the Dalby observatories in the deep darkness of Dalby Forest, the National Park Centres at Sutton Bank and Danby, and various car parks offering exceptional unobscured views of the night sky. Bundle up, bring a star chart and prepare for a night of complete peace beneath the heavens.
Depending on the conditions and the time of year, it is possible to see the Milky Way and the spiral Andromeda Galaxy with the naked eye. If you’re very, very lucky, you may even be treated to the spectacular dancing colours of the aurora borealis, otherwise known as the Northern Lights. They can occasionally be seen on the coast during the colder months; if you’re here towards the end of autumn, keep an eye out for this once-in-a-lifetime sight.
To learn more about how you can find time for you in the North York Moors, visit northyorkmoors.org.uk/timeforyou