A Literary Tour of the Yorkshire Moors

by Charl Pearce

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In case you couldn’t tell from my Instagram stories, I’m always off up and down the country.

It ain’t easy when all yer pals are a good two or three-hour train journey away, and this month I reckon I’ve spent more time on a train than in my own home. Going up and down t’Yorkshire a few times, has given me plenty of opportunity to watch the concrete jungles give way to the far more aesthetically pleasing rolling hills.

On these frequent longing stares out of the train window (hey, even a blogger’s got to take a break from Insta every now and then, right?), I’ve started thinking I should probably start thinking about exploring a little further a Yorkshire-field than spending my evening dancing the night away in ‘Ull’s Dirty Dicks, then heading back to the Midlands the next day. As you may well know, I have somewhat of a love affair with Venice (have I mentioned that before? No? Are you sure?), but that’s not to say that I’m averse to a little weekend fling closer to home.

After all, Yorkshire’s famed for some of my favourite things (who do I think I am, Julie Andrews?): Yorkshire tea, Yorkshire puddings, Yorkie chocolate bars (hmm?), Emmerdale, Violet Glenton, Ed Sheeran (he was born there), Sean Bean.  Even the guy I’m seeing is from up ‘Norf (spoiler, he’s not Sean Bean) 

…as well as being back the backdrop to some literary classics.

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First things first, where to stay on this literary tour of the Yorkshire Moors? Sure, there are plenty of quaint B&Bs where you’re guaranteed a proper greasy fry up and campsites if you like the prospect of waking up in a soggy field in the morning (the horror, the horror), but for me I’d be after some home comforts.  Scrap that, I want a cliff edge hotel in Robin Hood’s Bay that overlooks the bay with amazing panoramic views.  

A little (okay a lot more) norf than Hull that I’ve always fancied visiting is Whitby.  I’ve always fancied a trip over to Whitby as I’ve heard that not only is it home to the country’s finest fish and chips (I’ll take a battered fish with mushy peas and plenty of vinegar, pls)  but the views from the famous Abbey ruins inspired Bram Stoker to write Dracula.  With 199 steps to get up there, I hope there’s a lift or I can get someone else to take the pictures for me

Down the coast is Robin Hood’s Bay, which sounds right up my cobbled street. With sandy beaches, cosy pubs and cream teas galore, I’m told its the most beautiful little fishing village you ever did see (plus I always had a thing for the fox Robin Hood in Disney’s animated version – don’t judge me).  Venture a bit inland on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (a tourist attraction in its own right) and you’ll reach Goathland, which Harry Potter nerds like me will be thrilled to discover was the location for Hogsmead station in Philosopher’s Stone.  Better pack my Hufflepuff scarf for the perfect Insta pic (yes, I’m Hufflepuff, what of it?)

A little inland is Helmsley Walled Garden, a five-acre garden beneath the ruins of Helmsley Castle where the 2019 adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s novel, The Secret Garden is being filmed.  First published in 1911, the story of Mary Lennox is set against the howling winds of the Moors in the brooding Misselthwaite Manor.  The film stars Julie Walters and Colin Firth and filming has taken place at several Yorkshire locations and if standing where the delectable Mr Darcy once stood (no doubt in the rain cos it always rains up north) ain’t a selling point for you, I don’t know what will be.[/vc_column_text][thb_gap height=”20″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][thb_gap height=”30″][vc_column_text]

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