Whitby & North York Moors Day Trip: Small-Group Tour
Three hours loose in Whitby, guided through five stops on the moors
A small-group guided day trip from York to Whitby and the North York Moors National Park, with three hours of free time in the fishing port and stops at Kilburn White Horse, Helmsley, Goathland and Lealholm. The tour runs on a 16-seat mini-coach with a live English-speaking guide, hotel pickup near York Minster, and regular photo and refreshment stops. Children from age 5 are welcome. Entrance fees to attractions and meals are not included.
8h 15m
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore North York Moors and Whitby
- Visit Kilburn White Horse
- Explore Helmsley town and castle
- Photo stops in North York Moors
- See stepping stones at Lealholm
- Stop at Captain Cook Statue and Whalebone Arch
- Free time in Whitby for sightseeing and dining
- Visit Goathland village and filming locations
- Enjoy views at Hole of Horcum
- Return to York
The Experience
The Kilburn White Horse, carved into the hillside in 1857, is your first stop. Your guide explains how it came to mark the boundary of the North York Moors National Park. From there the route moves through Helmsley, a market town where you can wander the medieval castle grounds, browse the shops or settle into one of the cafes for a Yorkshire brew. The mini-coach then heads into the heart of the moors, passing the 16th-century Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge and Ralph's Cross before stopping in Lealholm to see the stepping stones across the River Esk.
Whitby itself gets three hours of your own time. You arrive with options: drop-off at the Harbour, Whitby Abbey (which inspired Bram Stoker's Dracula), or the Captain Cook Statue on the West Cliff if you want to skip the 199 steps up the hill. What you do with those three hours is yours: visit the Endeavour Experience or the Captain Cook Museum, take a scale replica boat trip around the harbour, explore the shops and market, or queue at the Magpie Café for fish and chips. The guide will brief you on the main sites as you arrive so you know what's worth your time.
On the return to York, you stop in Goathland, the picture-postcard village used as "Aidensfield" in the Heartbeat TV series and "Hogsmeade" in the Harry Potter films. A final photo stop at the Hole of Horcum, with its sweeping moorland views, comes before the drive back. The mini-coach seats a maximum of 16 people, so the group stays small enough that the guide can offer personal attention throughout the day.
What’s included
- Transport on a comfortable 16-seat mini-coach with air-conditioning and WiFi.
- live commentary from an English-speaking guide.
- pickup and drop-off near York Minster.
- regular photo stops, refreshment breaks and restroom stops throughout the day.
Operated by Best of Britain – Yorkshire Day Tours (formally BOBH)
Is this one for you?Book this if you're based in York city centre without a car: the tour starts at York Minster and includes five moor and coast stops, plus three hours to spend your own way in Whitby.
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Top questions
How much time do I actually get to spend in Whitby?
You have three hours of free time in Whitby once the coach arrives. Your guide will explain the main attractions as you pull in, and you can choose whether to visit Whitby Abbey, the Captain Cook Museum, take a harbour boat trip, or simply explore the shops and waterfront at your own pace.
What is the Kilburn White Horse and why do we stop there?
The Kilburn White Horse is a hill figure carved into the moorland in 1857, marking the boundary of the North York Moors National Park. Your guide tells the story of how it was created and why it became a local landmark.
Does the tour include meals or entry to attractions like Whitby Abbey?
No. The tour includes transport, the guide's commentary and photo stops, but entrance fees to attractions and food are not covered. You can buy fish and chips, visit museums, or explore freely depending on what interests you during your three hours in Whitby.
Where does the tour pick up and drop off in York?
Pickup and drop-off are at a centrally located meeting point near York Minster. Public transport options are available nearby if you're staying elsewhere in the city.
What is Goathland and why is it on the route?
Goathland is a traditional Yorkshire village that served as the filming location for "Aidensfield" in the Heartbeat television series and "Hogsmeade" in the Harry Potter films. The tour stops there on the return journey so you can explore the village or grab an ice cream from the store.
Can children go on this tour?
Yes. Children from age 5 are welcome, and they must be accompanied by an adult. Infants and small children can travel in a pram or stroller if needed.
Whitby & North York Moors Day Trip: Small-Group Tour
8h 15m · EN
from £ 78 per person
★★★★★★★★★★4.8786 reviewsVerified traveler reviews via our booking provider