Where to Stay in the North York Moors: Best Towns and Hotels
Where to stay in the North York Moors depends on what you’re coming for. Pickering and Goathland suit steam train fans, Helmsley is best for a market town with good food, and Whitby or Robin Hood’s Bay are the picks if you want the coast and the moors in one trip. This guide covers the best bases and a handful of places to stay in each.
A quick note on honesty: I live on the other side of the county, in the Yorkshire Dales, and I haven’t stayed in any of these places. Everything here is researched from each hotel’s own website and checked against independent sources, and I’ve left out places whose current status I couldn’t confirm.
Quick Picks
- Best for the steam railway: Pickering, at The White Swan Inn.
- Best market town: Helmsley, at The Black Swan.
- Best for a treat: The Pheasant, in the village of Harome near Helmsley.
- Best for the coast: Whitby or Robin Hood’s Bay.
- Most remote: The Lion Inn, high on Blakey Ridge.
Where to Stay in the North York Moors at a Glance
| Base | Best for | Without a car? |
|---|---|---|
| Pickering | Steam railway, market town | Yes: Coastliner 840 bus and the railway |
| Helmsley | Food, castle, southern moors | Harder |
| Goathland | Harry Potter station, moorland walks | Yes: Coastliner 840 bus and the railway |
| Whitby | Coast, abbey, harbour | Yes: Coastliner 840 bus and the railway |
| Robin Hood’s Bay | A quieter coastal village | Harder |
| Blakey Ridge | Remote moorland, a classic inn | No |
Hotel details last checked October 2026.
Pickering: Best for the Steam Railway
Pickering is a market town at the southern end of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which makes it the natural base for a day on the trains. It also has a Norman castle (see my guide to castles in Yorkshire), and the Coastliner 840 bus links it with York and Whitby, which makes it the easiest base without a car.
The White Swan Inn is on Pickering’s Market Place and has been family-run since 1983. Its rooms range from vintage rooms and a four-poster to hideaway and family rooms, there’s a restaurant serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, and it offers dog-friendly stays. Check prices at The White Swan Inn or browse all hotels in Pickering.
Helmsley: Best Market Town Base
Helmsley is a good base for exploring the southern and western parts of the moors. It has its own castle and walled garden, and the Black Swan says York is about a 35-minute drive away.
The Black Swan is right on the market square. The inn dates back to the 15th century and was once a stop for stagecoaches, and the building combines Elizabethan, Tudor and Georgian parts. It has 60 rooms, from cosy doubles to feature rooms in the oldest part of the building, and food is served all day. Booked direct, up to two dogs can stay for £15 a night. Note that it has no accessible rooms. Check prices at The Black Swan.
The Pheasant is in Harome, a village a short drive from Helmsley, and is the pick for a special stay. It has 16 rooms and suites, including cottages in the courtyard, a small indoor pool, and a restaurant with two AA Rosettes. The hotel overlooks the village pond. Check prices at The Pheasant.
Also in Helmsley: the Feversham Arms Hotel & Verbena Spa was closed for renovation when I wrote this post (October 2026). Check their website to see whether it has reopened.
Goathland: Best for Harry Potter Fans
Goathland is a moorland village with a railway station that played Hogsmeade in the first Harry Potter film. The village was also Aidensfield in the TV series Heartbeat. Stay here if the railway is the main reason for your trip.
For something different, the railway rents out a camping coach at Goathland station. It sleeps four, with a double and a twin room, a kitchen and heating. From 30 October 2026 to 12 March 2027 it’s available as three-night winter breaks from £495, and dogs are welcome for a £50 surcharge. Book through the NYMR website. Otherwise, browse places to stay in Goathland.
Whitby: Best for the Coast
Whitby is a harbour town at the northern end of the steam railway, with Whitby Abbey on the cliff above it. I’ve been to Whitby, though not as an overnight guest. For what to do there, see my guide to things to do in Whitby.
The White Horse & Griffin is at 87 Church Street and dates back to the 17th century. It was built as Whitby’s earliest coaching inn, and Captain Cook is said to have recruited sailors here. Expect exposed beams, and there’s a restaurant and bar. Check prices at the White Horse & Griffin or browse all hotels in Whitby.
Robin Hood’s Bay: Best for a Quiet Coastal Village
Robin Hood’s Bay is a historic fishing village near Whitby. Stay here if you’d rather be in a village than a town.
Hotel Victoria stands at the top of the village and reopened in summer 2024 after a full refurbishment. Many of its rooms have sea views, and Osborne’s Restaurant and a traditional pub are on site. Check prices at Hotel Victoria.
Blakey Ridge: Best for Remote Moorland
The Lion Inn is on Blakey Ridge, 1,325 feet up, with views over the Rosedale and Farndale valleys. It’s a 16th-century inn that dates from around 1553, with 13 bedrooms, breakfast included, and food served from noon to 9pm every day. You’ll need a car to get here. Check prices at The Lion Inn.
Tips for Choosing Where to Stay
- Without a car, stay on the Coastliner 840 bus route: Pickering, Goathland or Whitby. The bus runs from Leeds and York over the moors to Whitby, and the steam railway links the same places in season.
- With a car, any base works, and you can reach remote spots like Blakey Ridge. You can compare car hire on Booking.com.
- In winter, the steam railway runs Christmas specials only, so check what’s open near your base before you book.
- Combining the Moors with York? Many people stay in York and do the moors as a day trip. See where to stay in York and day trips from York.
- Combining the Moors with the Dales? See my guide to where to stay in the Yorkshire Dales.
For more ideas, see the North York Moors hub and the best places to visit in Yorkshire.
Where to Stay in the North York Moors: FAQ
What is the best town to stay in the North York Moors?
For most first-time visitors, Pickering or Helmsley. Pickering is best for the steam railway and getting around without a car. Helmsley is the better pick for food and a pretty market square. If you want the sea as well, stay in Whitby.
Can you visit the North York Moors without a car?
Yes, if you stay along the Coastliner 840 bus route (Pickering, Goathland, Whitby) and use the North Yorkshire Moors Railway in season. Remote places like Blakey Ridge need a car.
Is Whitby in the North York Moors?
Whitby sits on the coast at the northern end of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, and the Coastliner 840 bus crosses the moors to reach it. It’s the easiest base if you want both the coast and the moors.
Where can you stay at a steam railway station?
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway rents out a camping coach at Goathland station and Grosmont Station House as self-catering stays, including three-night winter breaks from late October to March.
