North York Moors Day Trip: Whitby, Staithes & Robin Hoods Bay

Travel through the moors with a guide who knows every village by name

A full-day tour from York into North York Moors National Park, visiting the fishing villages of Staithes and Robin Hoods Bay, the coastal town of Whitby, and the market town of Helmsley, with no more than seven guests and a guide who has lived and worked in the region. The minibus picks you up in York and returns you there. Stops include Byland Abbey, a Gothic monastery, and roughly 1 hour 45 minutes of free time in Whitby to explore the harbour, visit the abbey or eat fish and chips.

Step-by-step itinerary

North York Moors and Coastal Villages

• Stop at Byland Abbey
• Visit Helmsley market town
• Travel through North York Moors
• Stop at Staithes fishing village
• Leisure time in Whitby
• Visit Robin Hoods Bay village

The experience

You start in York and travel into the North York Moors in a small minibus with no more than seven other guests. Greg, your guide, has lived and worked in the villages and moorland you'll pass through, so the stories and details he shares are grounded in real knowledge of the place rather than a script. The route takes you over a section of North York Moors National Park where the landscape opens up: moorland that stretches without the crowds of a larger group tour.

The day unfolds through stops that let you move at a human pace. You'll see Byland Abbey, a Gothic monastery whose rose window inspired the design of York Minster's. Helmsley, a market town where Greg once lived, gives you time to walk around, eat and use facilities. Staithes is a narrow fishing village tucked into a steep valley: sensible shoes help here, though Greg will drive you as close as the minibus can get. Then comes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes in Whitby, where you can visit Whitby Abbey, queue for fish and chips at a local spot, or simply watch the fishing boats along the piers. The tour ends with 45 minutes in Robin Hoods Bay, another small village with steep streets down to the shore.

The minibus is air-conditioned and stops regularly for photos and to stretch. At 8.5 hours door to door, the day is full but not rushed. Live commentary happens in English throughout, and the small group size means Greg can answer questions and adjust the pace if someone wants to linger at a stop.

What’s included

• Air-conditioned minibus.
• live guide commentary in English.
• pickup and drop-off in York.
• regular photo breaks and refreshment stops.
• access to Byland Abbey, Helmsley market town, Staithes fishing village, Whitby harbour and Robin Hoods Bay.

Before you book

Days and timesThursday and FridayDeparts at 09:00Last departure this season: 30 Oct

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (5 to 17 years) · Under 5: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “9.00am Near the Art Gallery, Look out for the Water Fountains Postcode YO17EP”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by All Tours Great and Small

Is this one for you?Book this if you're staying in York without a car. The tour picks you up there and the small group size lets the minibus access narrow village streets like Staithes and Robin Hoods Bay that larger coaches can't reach.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 17 years). Under 5: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

I'm staying in York for one day, can this tour pick me up from my hotel?

Yes, the tour departs from York and returns there at the end of the day. Pickup and drop-off are included, so you don't need a car or public transport to reach the moors.

How much time do you actually spend in Whitby?

Approximately 1 hour 45 minutes, which is enough to visit Whitby Abbey, grab fish and chips, walk the harbour, or explore the narrow streets without feeling rushed.

What is Byland Abbey and why does it matter?

Byland Abbey is a Gothic monastery whose rose window design inspired the famous rose window at York Minster. It's a stop where Greg explains the architectural connection between the two buildings.

Are the villages like Staithes and Robin Hoods Bay walkable, or very steep?

Both have steep streets down to the water, so bring sensible shoes. Greg will drive the minibus as close as possible to each village, so you're not climbing from the car park, but the village streets themselves slope steeply toward the shore.

Is food included, or do I need to bring money for Whitby and Helmsley?

Food and drinks are not included. You'll have time and money to buy lunch or snacks in Helmsley and Whitby, and Greg can recommend places to eat.

What's the group size like on these tours?

No more than seven guests travel together, which is small enough that Greg can answer questions and adjust stops without the logistics of a larger coach tour.