Steam, castles, moor and forest
Attractions and days out near Thornton-le-Dale
By Jon Cosson · Last checked
A gateway to the North York Moors
Thornton-le-Dale sits on the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park, on the A170 just east of Pickering. From the village the moorland road climbs north past the Hole of Horcum, the steam railway runs from Pickering to Goathland and Whitby, and Dalby Forest lies just to the north. Yorkshire is often called God's Own Country, and this corner of it is a straightforward place to start.
The four big attractions
Each has its own guide, with the route from the village, parking, dogs and access.
Steam from Pickering
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
The heritage steam line from Pickering across the moors to Goathland, Grosmont and Whitby, with the station about three miles from the village.
Heartbeat and Hogsmeade
Goathland
A day out to the Heartbeat village, about 13 miles away by car or a steam-train ride from Pickering, with the station used as Hogsmeade in the first Harry Potter film.
English Heritage
Pickering Castle
A Norman motte and bailey castle in Pickering, with towers standing almost to full height and views from the top of the motte.
The great bowl on the A169
Hole of Horcum
A natural bowl in the moor beside the Whitby road, with the National Park's circular walk from the Saltergate car park.
More days out within easy reach
Dalby Forest
A few minutes up the road
The Great Yorkshire Forest starts on the edge of the village. The Dalby Forest Scenic Drive is the easy way to see it by car, with waymarked walking trails, family cycling routes and serious mountain-bike trails leading off it, and some of the darkest skies in the country after nightfall. The closest big day out to Thornton-le-Dale, and the one most visitors underestimate.
Dalby Forest from Thornton-le-DaleDalby Forest bike hireGo Ape at Dalby: who climbs, costs and rules
Pickering
About 3 miles · about 5 minutes
Pickering has the castle, the parish church with its medieval wall paintings, a proper market town centre, and the southern terminus of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. If it rains, this is the day to spend. The Coastliner 840 links the village to Pickering in a matter of minutes, so you need not drive.
Whitby
About 20 miles · around 35 minutes
North over the moors on the A169, past the Hole of Horcum, for the abbey, the harbour, the 199 steps and fish and chips. It is a spectacular drive in clear weather and a slow one in fog or snow. The 840 bus covers the same route via Goathland if you would rather look out of the window than at the road.
Scarborough
About 15 miles · around 25 minutes
East along the A170 through Allerston and Snainton for the seaside: two bays, a headland castle, the spa and the harbour. The nearest full day at the coast, and close enough to go for an afternoon and be back in the village for supper.
Flamingo Land
Roughly 9 miles · about 20 minutes
The theme park, zoo and resort at Kirby Misperton, south-west of the village towards Malton. The obvious choice if you are travelling with children who have had enough of churches and footpaths, and close enough that Thornton-le-Dale works well as a quieter base than the park's immediate surroundings.
The Bridestones
Roughly nine miles
Weathered sandstone outcrops on the moorland edge above Dalby, and one of the most distinctive landscapes in the National Park. A walk rather than a drive-and-look, and a good half day for anyone who came here for the moors.
Using the village as a base
Distances are short but the roads are mostly single carriageway A roads, so plan by drive time rather than miles.
Getting around
Verified drive times and distances, parking, the rapid EV chargers and bus details are on two pages.
In the village
Days out don't have to mean driving out. The village fills a morning easily.
Further afield
For the National Park, the moors, the coast and the villages beyond.
- yorkshiremoors.com (opens in a new tab)
- allerston.org (opens in a new tab)Allerston, the next village on the way to Scarborough
Common questions
Is Thornton-le-Dale a good base for exploring the North York Moors?
It works well as a base. The village is inside the North York Moors National Park, about three miles from Pickering and the steam railway, minutes from Dalby Forest, about 15 miles from Scarborough and about 20 from Whitby, with the Coastliner 840 bus passing through for anyone who would rather not drive.
How far is the North Yorkshire Moors Railway from Thornton-le-Dale?
The railway starts at Pickering station, about three miles from the village, around five minutes by car or a short ride on the 840 bus.
How far is Dalby Forest from Thornton-le-Dale?
Dalby Forest begins just outside the village, a few minutes by car up the road, and reachable by bike. It is the closest of the big nearby attractions.
Can you visit Whitby and Scarborough in a day from Thornton-le-Dale?
Either is comfortable as a single day out, Scarborough is about 25 minutes by car and Whitby around 35 minutes over the moors. Doing both in one day is possible but makes for a long drive and little time in either.
What is there to do near Thornton-le-Dale when it rains?
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway from Pickering, Pickering Castle's chapel exhibition and the town's church, the Mathewsons motor museum in the village itself, and the village tea rooms, shops and chocolate shop all work in poor weather.
Opening seasons, admission prices and the Forestry England parking charge at Dalby Forest, payable by length of stay, change from year to year, so check each attraction's own site before setting out. Distances and drive times here are approximate road estimates.
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