North York Moors Accommodation: Hotels, Holiday Homes and Lodges
Rolling hills, seemingly barren fields that turn purple with heather in the summer, authentic pubs, coastal towns straight out of a postcard, steam trains from yore And trendy spots in the larger cities that wouldn't be out of place in Amsterdam. A bit of everything, but above all, an avalanche of natural beauty. Of course, we're talking about North Yorkshire in England, and specifically the (relatively undiscovered) North York Moors National Park. Men in flat caps nod their heads politely, and the bartender wants to know where you're from and why you've come here on holiday? Because you have it all. Simple.
The villages and towns in and around the national park are the perfect places to escape the hustle and bustle and to fully immerse yourself in English countryside and embrace the outdoors. And then you still need somewhere to sleep. Below you'll find a selection of different accommodations, for different budgets and different experiences, all of which will enhance your holiday in the Moors.
Landal Woodland Lakes is a holiday park in a fantastic location. The Woodland Lakes park itself is well-organized and offers lodges for two, four, six, or eight people. This allows you to travel with whoever you like, making it ideal if you'd like to travel with a group or family but don't want to be constantly surrounded by each other. Some lodges have a hot tub, and you can relax by the water and choose to stay in a detached lodge or a semi-detached one. Besides greenery and nature, the park also features a small indoor pool, a spa, the Olive Tree Café for pizza or a snack, and various activities (such as archery and zorbing). Plenty of entertainment for the kids, but also plenty for adults.
Landal Woodland Lakes is located near Thirsk, and Harrogate, Knaresborough, and York are about a 45-minute drive away. Each is a quintessentially English town, offering plenty of pubs, restaurants, museums, and other attractions. Plus, you're right in the heart of the North York Moors, which is another key attraction when it comes to fantastic walks and views!
True Harry Potter fans might know this village, Goathland, as the location of Hogsmeade station from the films. If you don't know it from that, no problem: it's still picturesque. And for a village with more sheep than inhabitants, you can surprisingly find a very nice and beautiful place to stay: the Homestead Cottage, owned by the eponymous Green Michelin-starred restaurant, Homestead Kitchen Goathland, where the food is truly excellent.
The cottage sleeps up to six people and features a large kitchen, a cozy living room with robust wooden beams, and views of the Moors. Fresh and modern, yet with that English cottage vibe (that's why you're here, after all). In front of it is a garden overlooking the church, and behind it, a small garden where you catch the most sun in the summer. Goathland itself doesn't have a supermarket, but you can order breakfast and then spend the rest of the day walking, eating at the pub (there are three in Goathland), or having lunch/dinner at the Homestead. Highly recommended!
A true hidden gem, with an emphasis on both, is Quoits Cottage. This cottage, sleeping four, is tucked away in Beck Hole, an idyllic hamlet about a 20-minute drive from Whitby. No streetlights, sheep. on your doorstep, surrounded by nature, and the absolute best and smallest pub in the area: Birch Hall Inn. Smaller than your average living room, with a log fire and pints served through a hatch. Opening hours are posted on the door (they're not open often or for long, but it's so worth adjusting your schedule!).
Well, Quoits Cottage. A bit of that sweet, rustic feel, spacious, and a lovely private garden (where the sheep can't get in). Standing in front of the cottage, you can't help but think of The Holiday. Thankfully, there's Wi-Fi, because there's no reception. Middle of nowhere it isAnd if you have any questions: owner Sam is a true local and has all the tips.
After a thorough renovation of the former Raithwaite Estate on Sandsend Road in Whitby, North Yorkshire, the new Hotel Saltmoore has opened. And we're hooked: the renovation cost (we understand) a mere £10 million, but it's worth it: a beautiful wellness-focused retreat nestled between the North Sea and the Yorkshire Moors. Really. Instagrammable down to the last detail.
Saltmoore offers rooms in both the main building (Saltmoore House) and The Beach House. We'd choose the main building, but all the rooms are lovely, bright, and relaxing, and the wellness center is literally and figuratively the heart of the hotel. There's a beautiful indoor pool, along with all the other spa amenities (hello, two-hour massage). Spa access costs £45 per person for three hours per day. And yes, you can even stay overnight. The same goes for the restaurant, which serves seasonal dishes.
This location has been a family farm for over 50 years, meaning every field, tree, and fence post tells a story. Completely off-grid, with virtually no reception, it's good to know before you arrive and think you'll turn it into a workation. It's an oasis of nature, with fields that are growing wild, ancient forests, a stream, and natural ponds.
The sleeping areas are spread throughout the grounds, each one secluded from the others, creating that true "middle of nowhere" feel. However, there is certainly some comfort; you'll find high-quality beds and luxurious linens, hot showers with fluffy towels, and, for the ultimate holiday feeling, campfires for roasting marshmallows. There are four different accommodations: Northern Skies, The Wild Woods, Writer's Retreat, and The Outpost. Plenty of carpeting is provided, a bit dated, but that's precisely what makes it so appealing in the natural surroundings. Some summers, you can also camp in your own tent; you'll need to check the website for that.
Let's start by saying that The Abbey Inn is a fantastic place to eat. Lunch, dinner, Sunday roast, or from the snack menu: there's no wrong choice. The restaurant has several rooms, each with its own unique vibe, and the favorite is the large room at the back, immediately to the right as you enter, in the pews. It's not the easiest place to eat, but it's the coziest.
There are three guest rooms, all sympathetically designed with a mix of antique furniture, luxurious fabrics, and detached bathrooms, reflecting the rich heritage of this 19th-century inn. You can enjoy views of the iconic Byland Abbey, which is sometimes free to enter. But enjoying the view from the terrace with a pint of ale is perhaps the best option.
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