A bustling market town
Sitting at the foot of the famous North York Moors National Park, Pickering is an ideal base to explore the beautiful surrounding countryside as well as the moors, Whitby and the world-renowned jurassic coast. With its bustling streets, independent shops and fantastic cafes, it’s a wonderful town to explore. Famous for its North Yorkshire Moors steam railway station (definitely hop aboard the nostalgic steam train for the ultimate trip through Heartbeat Country), Norman motte-and-bailey castle and Saxon church, Pickering has so many other hidden gems.
Pickering highlights
- Walk in the steps of medieval kings at Pickering Castle
- Relive The Railway Children at by visiting Pickering’s 1930s station and taking a journey on the North York Moors railway
- See what shopping was like in yesteryear with Beck Isle Museum‘s period traders’ shops
- Hone your artistic appreciation viewing one of the country’s most complete sets of medieval church wall paintings
- Raise a glass of award-winning ale to Pickering on a Cropton Brewery tour
A bit of history
Pickering is reputed to be one of the oldest towns in Ryedale, founded by King Peredurus around 270BC, and is steeped in history. Even the origin of its name reveals a fascinating legend about the King’s lost ring and its miraculous reappearance inside a pike that was caught for his evening meal. The original structure of Pickering castle was built by the Normans, under William the Conqueror in 1069-1070.
Info on where to eat, stay and visit?
The Visit Pickering website gives you a true flavour of Pickering, along with all the best places to eat, drink, visit and stay.