Experience the Moors ... NYMA runs guided walks and visits. The walks are led by people keen to share their favourite places, and some have a theme such as botany or geology. The visits are to places of historical, cultural and environmental interest.
Most walks are 5-7 miles long. In 2018-19 many have been themed around the 'History Tree' book we published in 2018, visiting some of the fascinating places mentioned and learning about the varied - and sometimes eccentric! - personalities of the Moors.
Sometimes we do a long-distance route in stages. For instance in 2016 we did several walks linking to the Cleveland Way, and in 2015 members completed 48 miles through the Tabular Hills (from Helmsley to Scarborough) in circular walks.
Dogs are normally welcome, but please check with the walk leader.
We're always keen to add more walks to our programme, so please get in touch if you have a special place you'd like to share.
We also run guided visits and events to places of historical, cultural or ecological interest. Most of these take place in the North York Moors, but sometimes they're to places relevant to the Moors. We hope you'll join us!
Walks 2019
Saturday August 3: Glaisdale to Lealholm, in the Esk Valley (linear walk). Meet 10.15 (on arrival of 09.31 bus from Whitby) at Beggar's Bridge, Glaisdale, on the River Esk just down from the railway station (nearest postcode YO21 2QL - park cars by the railway arches). The walk is approx. 4 miles, with plenty of points of interest. For instance, we will hear how Beggar's Bridge came to be built in 1619, pass a watermill and look at 'Paddy Waddell's Railway', a curious line which was intended to transport ironstone across the moors to Teesside, but never completed. We will go on to private land (with permission) to see 2 inscribed stones detailing people who used to live in the area. We finish at a cafe Lealholm, then take the 15.14 bus from Lealholm back to Glaisdale Station. The walk is led by Jane Ellis (no need to contact her in advance). Bring a picnic to eat during the walk. No dogs, please!
Saturday 7 September: Raisdale Ramble. Meet 10.30 at Lordstones carpark on Raisdale Road between Chop Gate and Carlton (TS9 7JH). This is a walk of around 6 miles along the Cleveland Way, down through Raisdale to the mill and returning to Lordstones. There are some gradual ascents and great views - and an excellent cafe at Lordstones! The walk is led by Heather & Colin Mather (heathercolin67@gmail.com, tel. 01287 669104).
All walks are circular (unless otherwise stated). Please come dressed and equipped for the weather.
Events 2019 Sunday 22 September: A Day in Bay Meet at 10.30 to explore the fascinating and historic village of Robin Hood’s Bay and its surroundings, with local resident and long-term NYMA member Alan Staniforth. We meet near the Old Church of St Stephens (YO22 4PF) to view first this lovely old church, unaltered since 1822, and then the nearby wildflower meadow and woodland planted and diversified by Alan over several years. We go down into the pretty village of Bay itself for lunch, with a variety of cafes and pubs to choose from, and then explore the village and shore - the scene of so much marine activity in past decades - and the fascinating little museum with its collection of artefacts. There is no charge for this event but donations to the church and museum are welcome. You can come along just for the morning or afternoon session if you can't make the whole day. Please let us know you’re coming on secretary@nyma.org.uk. Saturday 20 October: A Morning in Thornton-le-Dale Members of the local history group will show us the key sights of this historic and active village, co-winner of the NYMA President's Award in 2018. Meet at 10.30.
