The ‘Needs to Know’
Distance: 4.23 miles (6.8 km)
Time to walk: Roughly a couple of hours, but this is a very hilly walk so you might want to stop & enjoy the views
Difficulty: A hilly walk, some of which is across the Moors which can be boggy after lots of rain. Given the presence of sheep on a lot of this walk dogs will need to sometimes be on lead. There are several stiles that dogs will need to be lifted over
Parking: Public Pay & Display Car Park in Goathland. Postcode is YO22 5LX. If you’re using what3words it’s swatted.blushes.cornering
Public toilets: The car park at the start & end & pubs en route
Map of the route:
If you’re a fan of ‘Heartbeat’ then you’ll know Goathland. The name means ‘cultivated land of a man called Goda’. Goathland village lies between Pickering & Whitby, 486 feet above sea level & has a recorded history dating back to just after the Norman Conquest
In 1109 King Henry I granted land to Osmund the Priest & the brethren of the hermitage of Goathland for the soul of his mother, Queen Matilda, who had died in 1083. This is recorded in a charter held at Whitby Abbey
The village was a spa town in the 19th century. Much of the surrounding land is owned by the Duchy of Lancaster. The Duchy’s tenants have a common right extending for hundreds of years to graze their black faced sheep on the village green & surrounding moorland. You’ll see them wandering through the village
The village was the setting of the fictional village of Aidensfield in the Heartbeat television series set in the 1960s. Many landmarks from the series are recognisable, including the shop, garage/funeral directors, the public house & the railway station. The pub is called the Goathland Hotel but in the series is The Aidensfield Arms
Goathland railway station is on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway & we’ll see parts of this on our walk. The railway station was used as the location for Hogsmeade railway station in the Harry Potter films & the line filmed for Harry’s journey. It was also used in the 1995 film Carrington
Let’s Walk!
1. Our walk starts in the Pay & Display Car Park. Facing the road turn left & walk past the loos
We told you sheep are free to roam around this beautiful village…
2. Just after the toilets turn left through the gate. This is the old Goathland to Grosmont railway track which follows the existing line
The trail runs for roughly 3.5 miles & the original system was designed by George Stephenson. The horse-drawn Whitby & Pickering Railway opened in 1836 but the 1-in-15 gradient was too steep for horses….
So Stephenson linked wheeled water tanks to the train carriages with ropes with a wheel at the top. The weight of the descending tanks hauled the carriages up the hill. These facts are exactly why I love doing these walks
3. Exit through the gate…
Turn right up the road & be careful as the cars won’t be able to see you so walk on the verge
4. Cross straight over the junction…
…& follow the road as it eventually descends down the valley. There are some amazing views along here
5. Descend the hill & cross the bridge over the North Yorks Moor Railway…
We did the steam journey from Pickering to Whitby a few years ago. I have to say that it was good but, because the line runs through a valley in the Moors, the views are limited
6. Continue down the hill to the wonderful Eller Beck in the bottom…
This truly is a stunning spot. Click on the video below…
7. Look for a path on the left with a marker post, heading over a bridge…
This is the first of our steep climbs
8. At the top turn left over the stile by the gate…
…& follow the line of the wall on your left
9. Pass through the farm. Stop & admire the amazing view they have from their windows down the valley…
Walk through the gate onto the Moors once more
10. This truly is spectacular walking. Follow the clear, cut path & there’s views across to Goathland on your left…
The path forks…take the left one
Have a look down the valley to your left – there’s the bridge we walked across
11. The path arrives at a hedge with a great bench to rest a while & look down the railway line
After resting on the bench take the path down the hill towards the bridge…
…crossing over the beck
12. Walk up the steep steps & pass through the gate..
Take a moment to look back at the railway line & fingers crossed you’ll see a steam train…
13. Now head up the hill, keeping the wall on your left, passing over the stile at the top…
Walk up the narrow path &, at the end, emerge through the gate onto the road
14. If you’ve had enough turn left & walk back into Goathland, but you’d be missing some treats. So we turn right & follow the quiet lane to eventually arrive in Beck Hole…
Descend into this small, beautiful village. The bridge is stunning…
15. This is the Murk Esk River, a tributary of the River Esk. The majority of the houses in the village are listed, including several 18th century sandstone buildings. The wonderful 19th century bridge is also listed
Visit the tiny Birch Hall Inn but a word of warning…they only take cash
16. Take the footpath through the gate opposite the pub…
…passing through the gate & then following the track as it bends left
17. Before reaching the house bear right at the signpost towards Mallyan Spout…
…& follow the path along the river
18. Go through the gate & carefully climb the steep steps. From here to the end of the walk is where the hills really kick in…
At the top continue climbing, passing through two more gates…
19. As you climb take lots of breathers to admire the surrounding countryside…
Finally the path starts to descend, eventually down some steps
20. And they get even steeper so watch your footing…
At the bottom walk along the boardwalk to the junction…
21. If you want to see Mallyan Spout follow that direction. As we had our dog we decided against it as it had been raining heavily & there are some large boulders to scramble over
The waterfall has a drop of around 60 feet…
But…we turn up the hill towards Goathland which can only be reached by a continuous uphill climb, but don’t worry there’s lots of benches with great views
22. Eventually pass through an alley to arrive at the side of the Mallyan Spout Hotel &, after that climb, it would be a shame not to…
They do serve a fab pint of Black Sheep & some free dog biscuits which someone enjoyed
23. Come out of the hotel. Ahead’s St Mary’s Church
There has been a place of worship in Goathland for at least eight centuries &, at the site of the present church of St Mary, since Elizabethan times.
The present building, which was completed in 1896, was designed by Mr Walter H Brierly of York who said of his creation: “The qualities of simplicity, breadth & sturdiness were felt to be especially required for such a bleak moorland situation, & were aimed at in the design”
24. Turn left & walk along the pavement back towards the centre of the village. This is just so stunning…
At the junction bear right pass the Tea Rooms, shops etc
After a few yards we’re back at the car park on the left where we started this walk
And…what a walk!
It has everything…scenery, hills, a railway & just…beauty
Go Walk!