
Road Trip Overview
Take a tour of Yorkshire, focusing on the North Yorkshire Moors National Park
Known to the natives as ‘God’s Own County’, Yorkshire boasts an undeniably rich mixture of landscape, tradition, culture and heritage - it really is hard to beat England’s largest county, making it an excellent choice when hiring a motorhome to explore the country.
Start your journey in the City of York, and journey west towards the Scarborough coastline, taking in the quaint towns and villages along the way. From Scarborough you find yourself right in the heart of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park.
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In late summer the North Yorkshire Moors’ heather moorland flushes purple, creating a truly magnificent sight. The forests and ancient woodlands harbour roe deer, badgers, owls and woodpeckers, while seabirds, seals, dolphins and whales are regular visitors along a dramatic 26-mile coastline.
Finish your tour in Knaresborough, nestled between the North Yorkshire Moors and the Yorkshire Dales.
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Total distance: 129 miles

Total driving time: 3 hours, 7 minutes

Suggested length of road trip: 9 days



Explore the route map
Stop 1. York
Recommended site: York Rowntree Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
Open: All year
Address: Terry Avenue, York, North Yorkshire, YO23 1JQ

Total driving time: Starting point
Overview
Part of York’s enduring appeal is that there’s so much to see and do within the relatively small city centre – allow at least three days to take in the highlights. By night, York has some excellent restaurants and charming old pubs, and the city’s large student population means the nightlife is always lively at weekends.
A wide choice of guided walks are available, while a cruise along the River Ouse offers a completely different perspective on the city. Anyone after more unashamedly ghoulish and bloodthirsty treats should also drop into The York Dungeon – another big hit with kids.
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York Minster consistently amazes and delights all visitors - it’s also worth the extra admission cost to see the crypt and the Central Tower – as long as you’re fit enough to scale the 275 steps! Afterwards, the best way to stay relaxed is a spot of afternoon tea at the legendary Betty’s Café Tea Rooms on Parliament Street... but be prepared to queue for a seat!
Adventure seekers can explore the largest maize maze in Europe - York Maze. The Maze boasts over 20 rides, attractions and shows, with over 15 acres of ground to explore.
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Stop 1 Highlights

York Minster

The River Ouse in the evening

Get lost in York Maze

Afternoon Tea at Betty's Tea Rooms
Things to do when you're here

Food & drink
Betty’s Café Tea Rooms
6-8 St. Helen's Square, York, YO1 8QP

Outdoor fun
City Cruises York
The Boatyard, Lendal Bridge York YO1 7DP

For the family
York Maze
Dunnington Lodge, Elvington Lane, York, North Yorkshire, YO19 5LT
Stop 2. Scarborough
Recommended site: Scarborough West Ayton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
Open: March to October
Address: Cockrah Road, West Ayton, Scarborough, North Yorkshire, YO13 9JD

Total driving time: 1 hour, 1 minute
Overview
Scarborough is within easy distance from the Scarborough West Ayton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite and offers plentiful safe bathing, the dramatic RSPB Reserve at Bempton Cliff, funfairs for thrill seekers, a Sea Life Centre rich with aquatic life and loads of restaurants to satisfy the appetite.
The Scarborough SEA LIFE Sanctuary offers an immersive and interactive aquatic wildlife experience, offering creature talks, an interactive rock pool where you can meet the starfish and crabs, and plenty of aquarium zones where you can learn about the sanctuary’s wildlife – a great day out with the kids.
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Head through the imposing gatehouse of Scarborough Castle and step into 3,000 years of history. Explore the castle headland with the audio tour and gain a fascinating insight into its past, from Iron Age settlements, to the Roman signal station and medieval chapel.
Get in touch with nature at the RSPB reserve at Bempton Cliff, where thousands of gannets, puffins, fulmars and guillemots nest on the sheer 300ft cliff faces.
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Stop 2 Highlights

Underwater wildlife at SEA LIFE

Scarborough Castle

Gannets nesting on Bempton Cliffs

North Bay, Scarborough
Things to do when you're here

Culture
Scarborough Castle
Castle Road, Scarborough YO11 1HY

For the family
Scarborough SEA LIFE Sanctuary
Scalby Mills Scarborough North Yorkshire YO12 6RP
Stop 3. North Yorkshire Moors
Recommended site: North Yorkshire Moors Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
Open: March to November
Address: Sneaton, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 5JE

Total driving time: 36 minutes
Overview
When visiting North Yorkshire Moors Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, you will have over 1,300 miles of footpaths to choose from, many of which can be joined from the park; for a more leisurely stay, take advantage of the scenic drives through moorlands and forests.
Another way to enjoy the incredible scenery is via the North Yorks Railway, with magnificent steam trains to ride on and journey stops at beautiful rural stations, such as those at Goathland and Grosmont villages.
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If you fancy a change of scenery, why not head to the coast and take in a visit to the magnificent ruins of Whitby Abbey, the inspiration for Bram Stoker's gothic tale of 'Dracula'.
For a seaside day out, visit Robin Hood’s Bay; a small fishing village home to sandy, family friendly beaches, coastal and countryside walks and cycle ways and great places to eat.
Explore your alternative side and stop by at Whitby’s biannual Goth Weekend, with market stalls, live music, and a game of Goth Football to boot!
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Stop 3 Highlights

Grouse amongst heather in the North York Moors

North Yorks Railway, Goathland

Whitby Goth Weekend

Robin Hood Bay
Things to do when you're here

Food & drink
Smuggler’s Bistro and Bar
The Dock, Robin Hood’s Bay Whitby North Yorkshire YO22 4SJ

Culture
Whitby Abbey
Abbey Lane, Whitby, North Yorkshire, YO22 4JT

Outdoor fun
Go Ape Tree Top
Forestry Visitors Centre, Low Dalby, Thornton-le-Dale YO18 7LT
Stop 4. Knaresborough
Recommended site: Knaresborough Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite
Open: All year
Address: New Road, Scotton, Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, HG5 9HH

Total driving time: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Overview
Your next stop takes you out of the national park and down to Knaresborough, much of which sits perched atop a steep-sided gorge overlooking the River Nidd.
The Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite – home to The Wanderer Bar & Kitchen – is just a mile or so north-west of the town, making it an ideal base for exploring the local castle and cave.
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The cave was home to Mother Shipton, a 17th-century ‘seer’ whose prophecies have been interpreted as referring to the Great Fire of London, the arrival of the Spanish Armada, the advent of TV, radio and the internet and much more.
One thing’s for certain: Knaresborough’s excellent weekly market takes place on Wednesdays. After a morning spent browsing the stalls, a wander along the promenade at the bottom of the gorge (with a stop for coffee and cake or an ice cream) is a must. Look out for the distinctively decorated ‘windows’ throughout the town, too – an innovative public arts experiment in ‘trompe l’oeil’ artwork.
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Stop 4 Highlights

Tree carving near Mother Shipton's Cave

Visit the market at Knaresborough

Viaduct over the River Nidd

Knaresborough Castle
Things to do when you're here

Food & drink
Wanderer Bar & Kitchen
Knaresborough Club site, Knaresborough HG5 9HH

Outdoor fun
Little Pasture Trekking Centre
Bar Lane, Knaresborough HG5 0QG