Gallery - New Year Walking Holiday in the North York Moors National Park
Discover our full list of events in the Christmas & New Year’s Eve Walking Holidays here…
For New Year, a friendly group of walkers headed to Helmsley in the heart of the North York Moors National Park. Here’s our report of a sociable walking holiday filled with great walks, festive fun, and memorable moments!
Sunday: Arrival in Helmsley
We kicked off our four-night New Year walking holiday in the charming market town of Helmsley, nestled in the North York Moors National Park. Sunday evening brought together a mix of familiar friends and newcomers to Large Outdoors, all eager to enjoy a sociable group walking experience. After settling into the hostel—or for some, a quick trip to the local pub—we enjoyed a fantastic Moroccan tagine prepared by Trish. The evening concluded with John briefing us on the two walks planned for Monday, and we signed up for our preferred routes.
Monday: Exploring Chop Gate and Hutton-le-Hole
After a hearty breakfast and packing our lunches, we split into two groups for the day’s adventures.
Active group: Led by Trish, this group explored the moors near Chop Gate, enjoying clear skies and a refreshing breeze. Highlights included reaching Urra Moor, the highest point in the North York Moors, and the striking Wainstones.
Leisurely group: John guided this group through green lanes and fields, visiting the picturesque villages of Appleton-le-Moor and Lastingham. A stop at St. Mary’s Church, where St. Cedd is buried, and a friendly pub break rounded out their route.
The day ended back at the hostel with a lively quiz, a delicious dinner, and updates on the plans for New Year’s Eve walks, adjusted to account for the forecasted high winds.
Tuesday: Rievaulx Abbey Walks
Both groups set off from the hostel, heading to the iconic Rievaulx Abbey.
The active group departed first, keeping the group sizes sociable. Their route followed the Cleveland Way through Helmsley’s ancient woodland and onto Rievaulx Bridge, an 18th-century architectural gem. After a coffee stop at the Abbey’s visitor centre, they extended their walk to explore the monks’ historic fish ponds.
The leisurely group took a shorter route, crossing the valley before returning to Helmsley, where some took time to explore its history and charm.
The evening brought celebrations as the hostel transformed into a party haven. Bingo, a festive dinner, and dancing led to a cheerful countdown to the New Year.
Wednesday: New Year’s Day Adventures
The active group tackled a scenic walk through Collier Hag Wood and Riccal Dale, while the leisurely group visited Castle Howard. Strolling through the grand estate’s magnificent grounds, they marvelled at the architectural features and enjoyed coffee in the courtyard.
The day ended on a high note with clear skies perfect for stargazing. John set up a telescope, treating us to views of Mars, Jupiter, Venus, and Saturn. Amanda capped the night with an unforgettable sighting of a deep red aurora—a dream come true for many.
Thursday: Farewell to the North York Moors
After breakfast, it was time to pack up and say our goodbyes. The week was filled with fantastic walks, shared laughter, and wonderful memories. Many of us left with plans to join Large Outdoors on future group walking adventures.
