On the heritage coast there are the resorts of Whitby, Scarborough and Filey. The quaint fishing villages of Robin Hood's Bay, Runswick Bay, Boggle Hole and Staithes with their colourful, smuggling histories, and scenic coastal walks.

Inland the North Yorkshire Moors provide wild, unspoit scenery. The moorland village of Goathland is the setting for ITV's 'Heartbeat' and its station the setting for Harry Potter's 'Hogsmeade Station'. The North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs from Pickering to Grosmont and has theme weekends throughout the season - Wartime, Wizard, Thomas the Tank Engine and many more. Park rangers provide interesting walks relating to the wild life, history and geology of the moors and coast. In the villages are workshops making fine furniture, stained glass objects, pottery, candles and toys to name a few.

There are the market towns of Pickering, Scarborough, Malton and Kirkbymoorside to browse around. Agricultural and village shows are held throughout the summer. Country Houses and stately homes pepper the countryside. There is Castle Howard (setting of television's Brideshead Revisited), Nunnington Hall, Sledmere and Burton Agnes. National Trust and English Heritage properties are numerous so don't forget your membership cards!

Museums (indoor and outdoor) are full of interest. There is Eden Camp providing in depth displays of the 2 World Wars and hosting reunions for veterans' groups; Ryedale Folk Museum allowing you to experience the practicalities and smells of rural farming life throughout the ages; the Rotunda Museum, home of William Smith, the world renowned father of geology. There is the magnificent historic city of York dominated by the The Minster. A visit here is a must to experience history from the Romans to the present day. Walk down 'The Shambles' to sense life in medieval England. There is the National Railway Museum now the home of 'The Flying Scotsman' and many other famous trains.

Cycling in the North York Moors is recognised as one of the very best areas for cycling in England. The region offers a vast and varied network of quiet lanes and off-road tracks that make best use of the undulating topography and stunning views afforded by the moorland, forestry and coastal scenery.

As well as the Moor to Sea cycle route, there are a number of other cross-country cycle trails around the National Park. For others more interested in extreme cycling, there are superb mountain biking routes in Dalby Forest that both experts and beginners alike will find challenging and interesting.

Contrast this with the former railway track along the coast between Whitby and Scarborough, which offers spectacular views of this very special coastline. Other cycle routes utilising dismantled railways can be found around the North York Moors, belying the Moors’ industrial heritage. Popular examples of such trails are Rosedale, and Farndale where the rural moorland setting contrasts with the ruined remains of the ironstone industry.