Mini getaway in the North York Moors
The Den, Gumboots and Wellingtons
Three months had flown by since our West Highland Way walk. But we still had another month before our next holiday. Work had been busy for both of us, and we were more than ready for a mini break.
It was time to visit one of our favourite getaway locations.
Gumboots and Wellingtons is a proper switch off from the world. The Shepherd’s Hut and Skandi Cabin have no television, phone signal, or WiFi. Even better, they’re located in a tiny hamlet and there’s no passing traffic 🙌 😴
The only noise to assault your senses while relaxing in the garden are the sounds of nature and birdsong. But it never feels isolated. The shops, pubs, and cafes of nearby Thornton le Dale are a gentle 20 minute stroll away.
Visiting Malton, Yorkshire’s Food Capital
We decided to make the most of the break by stopping for a leisurely lunch en-route to our getaway. Neither of us had been to Yorkshire’s Food Capital before, but we’d heard great things.
Huge teapot! (image by Jason Budd)
Malton is a lovely little town, full of independent shops. You'll find artisan producers, cafes and pubs galore. We ended up drinking from huge pots of tea (always a winner) in the enclosed garden at FortySix in the market place.
Top tip: Malton has a Food Market every month. So, if food markets are your thing, plan your trip around the second Saturday of the month.
Exploring Dalby Forest
The North York Moors are easily accessible from the cabins. But, this visit, we decided to leave the car parked up and explore on foot from the doorstep.
Dalby Forest Hub is around 3 miles away on a well used path. If you're cycling, there's a bridleway route there too. Or you can take the car and pay to park near the Hub.
We’ve been doing more trail running than biking recently, so grabbed the running shoes.
Dalby has a few running trails but the longer ones would have meant taking the car to park higher up in the forest. Instead, we had a gentle jog up to the Hub for lunch, then created our own route back along the forest tracks.
Running in Dalby Forest (image by Jason Budd)
It was a superb 10-mile run in hot weather. Passing the stream with a little dipping pool just half a mile from the hut was far too tempting. We quickly cooled off and squelched back to the cabin ready for another relaxing evening.
Catching the steam train to Whitby
Our visit this time took place at the end of August when the moorland heather was in full bloom. We considered driving onto the moors for a walk. But then a visit to Pickering gave us a different idea.
The North York Moors Railway runs from Pickering to Whitby. The route goes right through the picturesque moorland. Which meant we could see the heather, go on a steam train, AND have a sunny afternoon by the coast.
How come steam trains bring out our inner child?
I spent most of the journey with my nose up to the window just to see the engine! It was a fabulous day, made even more crazy by the fact that there was a pirate festival taking place in Whitby.
North York Moors Railway
View over Whitby harbour
Heather in bloom on the North York Moors (image by Jason Budd)
It's not often we go on mini breaks, so our getaway to the North York Moors was amazing. We had time to sit and read. We chatted and lingered over lunch. And we let the train take the strain for our visit to the coast.
But we struggle doing nothing. Lying in hammocks for a week on an isolated beach in Fiji was one of our worst holidays 😂
So we also explored and stretched our bodies. I reckon active rest along with some actual rest is the perfect combination!
Read my blog post to see more about what the North York Moors has to offer: 15 adventures in the UK’s National Parks
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Outdoor-Girl is run by Jacquie Budd, an outdoor adventure and marketing content writer for brands that care about their impact on people and the planet.
