Region · England
Where to stay in The North York Moors
Purple moors, steam trains and a coast of smugglers' villages.
The North York Moors runs from high heather moorland down to a dramatic coast of cliffs and fishing villages. In late summer the moors turn purple, and a steam railway threads through the middle of it all.
Stay for the moorland walks, the food (this is serious Michelin-inn country) and the wild Yorkshire coast.
The shortlist
Best places to stay in The North York Moors
The Black Swan at Oldstead
The Banks family's Michelin-starred inn on the edge of the Moors, with four rooms and farm-to-fork cooking worth the journey.
The Star Inn at Harome
England's famous thatched Michelin inn near Helmsley, with characterful rooms and food worth the trip.
Saltmoore
A contemporary coastal hotel near Whitby, with a spa, pool and the moors meeting the sea at Sandsend.
Best areas to stay in The North York Moors
Helmsley & Harome. Handsome market town and England's best dining inns.
The coast at Whitby & Sandsend. Cliffs, beaches and a fresh wave of coastal hotels.
Esk Valley. Steam railway, deep dales and quiet villages.
Getting there & around
Train. Trains to Whitby and Malton, plus the North Yorkshire Moors heritage railway.
Car & transport. A car is most practical; the coast and Whitby are rail-served.
Car-free. Reach Whitby by train and use the Moorsbus and heritage railway in season.
Frequently asked questions
What are the North York Moors known for?
Purple heather moorland, a dramatic coast around Whitby, steam railways and some of England's best Michelin dining inns.
When is the best time to visit?
Late August for the heather in bloom, and autumn for colour and quieter coast.
Can you visit without a car?
Partly. Whitby is rail-served, and the Moorsbus and heritage railway help in season, but a car gives the most freedom.