Pickering

Steam trains hiss and chuff through the Vale of Pickering, carrying passengers between this market town and the coast on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. It's proper old-school Yorkshire here - stone cottages, traditional pubs, and a high street that moves at its own unhurried pace.

Pickering sits perfectly positioned between the North York Moors and the Yorkshire Wolds, making it an excellent launch pad for outdoor adventures. Go Ape at nearby Dalby Forest offers zip-line thrills among the treetops, while the Dalby Forest Visitor Centre serves as your gateway to miles of walking and cycling trails through plantations like Black Plantation and American Plantation. The forest feels wild and ancient despite its managed nature.

Water features prominently in the landscape around here. Paper Mill Pond and Middle Fish Pond offer peaceful spots for reflection, while Mill Pond attracts local wildlife. For golfers, Snainton Golf provides a decent round with moorland views.

The town itself rewards a proper wander. St Andrew Church anchors the old quarter with its Norman origins, and the narrow streets reveal independent shops and cafes that haven't succumbed to chain store blandness. Market day brings farmers down from the moors with proper Yorkshire produce.

Getting here couldn't be easier - Pickering sits on the A170 between Thirsk and Scarborough, about 30 minutes inland from the coast. The railway station connects to Whitby via that scenic steam service, though regular trains run to York and beyond.

Staying at one of the holiday parks scattered around the Vale gives you the freedom to explore both the moors and the coast without the hassle of moving base every few days.