Escape to Ryedale for a group trip like no other
Ryedale is like a kingdom all of its own – a wonderfully self-contained pocket of unspoilt, rural England.
With so much to take in, with beautiful countryside, fascinating heritage and vibrant market towns, Ryedale is great for for group getaways, tours and holidays.
There’s mile upon mile of award-winning attractions to enjoy – plus quality restaurants, coffee houses, independent shops and food festivals.
Not been to Ryedale before? This quick geographical guide will help you to get your bearings
Ryedale’s heartland
Ryedale’s heartland is crowned by the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, lush valleys of ancient farmland and woodlands.
It’s home to:
- Malton, Yorkshire’s Food Capital
- Glorious native woodland at Dalby Forest
- Castle Howard (one of Britain’s finest stately homes)
- The wonderful Rievaulx Abbey and many heritage attractions
- A number of the country’s leading craftspeople and artists
The North York Moors National Park
Just to the north, with its monumental landscapes and break-taking panoramas, is perhaps Britain’s most colourful national park. Expect huge expanses of world-famous heather moorland, the starriest skies and views of the Northern Lights – the North York Moors has recently been designated a Dark Sky Reserve.
Our thriving market towns
Our market towns are the heart and soul of Ryedale. A fantastic mix of award-winning shops, artisan foods, busy markets, fantastic eateries and luxury accommodation, they offer everything that you could want for a group tour.
- Helmsley has been home to the finest lords and ladies in the land for over 800 years, and not surprisingly has developed a taste for the finer things in life. Today, it’s recognised as one of Britain’s best market towns – a Great British High Street Awards champion, and a gateway to the north’s best restaurants, tea-rooms and attractions, award-winning independent shops and spas.
- Kirkbymoorside is Ryedale’s smallest market town, but its weekly market is the liveliest – it’s been held in the cobbled market square for over 750 years. It’s also a treasure trove for antique-hunters, attracting collectors from across the world to its showrooms.
- Pickering is home to the world-famous North Yorkshire Moors Railway, so perhaps it’s not surprising that the town’s tea-rooms and shops revel in vintage and nostalgia. As the gateway to the North York Moors National Park and Dalby Forest, the town also has an unmistakable spirit of adventure, and this is one of the best places to get ready for the great outdoors.
- Malton is Yorkshire’s Food Capital, famous for its year-round food festivals celebrating local produce – a magnet for the UK’s leading chefs – and also for its trailblazing town centre of independent food stores and award-winning artisans, where you can find anything your taste-buds desire, including taste tours, and cookery and gin schools.
Where can I get more group travel information?
If you’ve already downloaded our group travel booklet and itineraries, and are looking for more guidance, you can also find some great information here: