Holiday rentals in Pickering

Lying at the southern border of the dramatic North York Moors, Pickering is an ancient market town that can trace its roots to 270 BCE. St Peter and St Paul’s church was built in Saxon times, and contains some of the country’s most complete medieval wall paintings; Pickering Castle was begun by William the Conqueror. You can still walk around the ruins of its motte-and-bailey fortress (used by no fewer than six English kings), while the Beck Isle Museum offers a chance to see everyday life as it’s been lived here in more recent centuries.

The town’s marketplace and high street are still the thriving hub of the community, full of independent shops, cafes, and businesses from bakeries to antique stores, while the natural splendour (and glorious isolation) of the moors are practically on the doorstep. And if that’s not enough to quicken your pulse, you can always visit the nearby theme park Flamingo Land.

The neighbouring North York Moors are at their most stunning in summer and autumn, when they’re ablaze with pink and purple heather and busy with bees, butterflies, and other colourful wildlife, making it an ideal time to stay in one of the area’s holiday cottages. Summer is also the warmest time to be walking on the moors, although temperatures can be unpredictable, so it’s always worth packing for all conditions and making sure you’ve checked the forecast before you head out. Pickering’s famous steam railway usually opens seasonally from March, although there have been limited winter services in recent years; the surrounding countryside can be particularly beautiful if you’re lucky enough to see it covered in snow. In October, Pickering hosts a Railway in Wartime weekend, when the streets of the town revert to 1940s style and WWII reenactments take place.

Newbridge Park

Right below the towering stone walls of Pickering Castle sits this forested community park, whose woodland has been restored by local volunteers. It’s a great area for walking, and there’s also plenty here for mountain bikers, with cycle trails, a jump park, and a pump track. They’ve even turned a disused quarry into a pleasant picnic area.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

This historic steam railway is one of the best in the country, and Pickering is its southern terminus. A ride along its 24-mile tracks will take you through beautiful Yorkshire countryside, where you’ll stop at a sequence of lovely villages, all the way to Whitby on the east coast. Even if you’re not planning a journey, it’s worth a visit to the station, whose vintage tearoom serves fresh pies and scones.

Kirk Theatre

There’s a real tradition of theatre-going in Pickering — the small town manages to maintain no fewer than three venues — and the Kirk is at its heart. Its home, a once-derelict Wesleyan chapel, is part of the town’s fascinating religious history as a centre for nonconformist believers in the 19th century, from Methodists to Quakers.