North York Moors National Park
The North York Moors National Park is upland country in North Yorkshire, England, known for heather moor, wooded dales and a steam railway that runs to the coast at Whitby.
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The North York Moors National Park is upland country in North Yorkshire, northern England. Open moor is covered in heather, which blooms purple in late summer, and the land falls into wooded valleys called dales. Villages sit in the lower valleys, and the park reaches the North Sea at Whitby, a harbor town with a ruined abbey on the cliff above it.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a heritage steam line, runs between Pickering and Whitby through the park. Pickering is the inland end and Whitby the coastal end. Walking paths cross the moor from the villages. The line is a good option if you want to see the moor without driving every mile. The park suits walkers, rail fans and anyone who wants quiet countryside with a seaside town at the end of the day. Late summer is when the heather is in bloom.
North York Moors National Park in five
- Ride the North Yorkshire Moors RailwayThe heritage line runs 24 miles with stops at Pickering, Levisham, Goathland, Grosmont and Whitby. Day Rover tickets booked more than 4 days ahead save 10% automatically.
- Stay on paths on Fylingdales MoorThe authority says open access land and rights of way are open, but the moor stays vulnerable to erosion. Follow advisory signs and keep to designated paths.
- Start at Sutton Bank or Danby LodgeBoth are National Park Centres with route advice and current closure notes. Check the park's home page for road works before driving the A170.
- Plan the park by carVillages and trailheads are scattered, and the railway covers only one corridor. A hire car gives the most choice, and the railway then becomes a half-day outing.
- Pair the moors with Whitby and YorkWhitby is the coast stop at the end of the railway, and York is the nearest city with a rail link to London.Whitby
Things to do in North York Moors National Park
See all attractions in North York Moors National Park
Need to know
- Entrance
- Open access landscape; car parks, the railway and attractions charge separately
- Permits
- None for walking; follow signs on Fylingdales Moor
- Season
- Open all year; heather late summer, short winter days
- Nearest town
- Helmsley, Pickering and Whitby
- Getting there
- Car from York or Scarborough; steam railway from Pickering to Whitby
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRain13 rainy daysHigh6°Low1°Cold, quietJanuaryRain
Poor
- High
- 6°
- Low
- 1°
- Precipitation
- 70 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- FebruaryRain13 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low2°Cold, quietFebruaryRain
Mixed
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 72 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, quiet
- MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Cool, windyMarchRain
Mixed
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, windy
- AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh11°Low4°Mild, greenAprilPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, green
- MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh15°Low7°Mild, long daysMayPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 15°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, long days
- JuneRain12 rainy daysHigh18°Low10°Long daysJuneRain
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 78 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long days
- JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh19°Low12°Warm, busyJulyRain
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, busy
- AugustRain13 rainy daysHigh20°Low12°Heather, busyAugustRain
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heather, busy
- SeptemberRain13 rainy daysHigh17°Low10°Heather, calmSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 17°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 75 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Heather, calm
- OctoberRain15 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°Autumn colorOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 93 mm
- Rainy days
- 15
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Autumn color
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh9°Low4°Wet, short daysNovemberRain
Poor
- High
- 9°
- Low
- 4°
- Precipitation
- 77 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wet, short days
- DecemberRain14 rainy daysHigh7°Low3°Cold, short daysDecemberRain
Poor
- High
- 7°
- Low
- 3°
- Precipitation
- 83 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, short days
Average daily high and low in Whitby, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in North York Moors National Park
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 4°
- Humidity
- 99%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 77%
North York Moors National Park
10:02 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°5°77%Monday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 77%.
- Tue8°5°49%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Wed9°5°9%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Thu8°6°14%Thursday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Fri7°6°10%Friday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Sat7°5°33%Saturday: Drizzle. High 7°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sun6°3°27%Sunday: Drizzle. High 6°, Low 3°. Chance of rain 27%.
Updated 06:25 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.7469 GBP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to North York Moors National Park
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for North York Moors National Park, checked
- Fylingdales Moor: open access and rights of way are open, but the landscape is vulnerable. Follow advisory signs and stay on designated paths.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
- North Yorkshire Moors Railway: 24 miles, with stops at Pickering, Levisham, Goathland, Grosmont and Whitby. Day Rover tickets booked 4+ days ahead save 10%.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around North York Moors National Park
Abbey, harbor and the railway's coastal end
Read the guideYorkThe Minster and walls, a rail city to the south
Read the guideYorkshireCities, dales, moors and coast
Read the guideYorkshire DalesLimestone valleys to the west
Read the guideTrains, buses and carsHire cars and rural rail links
Read the guideAll of EnglandCities, rail, entry rules and money
Read the guideNorth York Moors National Park FAQ
How many days do you need in the North York Moors?
Two to three days cover a railway ride, a moor walk and a stop on the coast. A single day suits the railway and Whitby together. Add a day if you plan longer walks.
Can you visit the North York Moors without a car?
The steam railway and some buses give limited access, but villages and trailheads are hard to link. A car or a guided tour opens up the park. Check bus timetables before planning a car-free stay.
Is the North Yorkshire Moors Railway worth it?
Yes if you like heritage steam and scenery: it runs 24 miles and stops at Pickering, Levisham, Goathland, Grosmont and Whitby. Take a half day if you want to get off and walk.
What is the best time to visit the North York Moors?
Late summer for heather, May and June for long days and green dales, and October for autumn color. Winter is bleak and short, and exposed moors can turn wet or foggy quickly.
Are there any current restrictions on the moors?
Check the park authority's home page before you go. It has noted restoration work on Fylingdales Moor, asking visitors to follow advisory signs and stay on designated paths, and it posts road works on the A170.