Great Ayton village on the northern edge of the North York Moors National Park has fascinating historic links to Britain's greatest explorer Captain James Cook who was schooled in the village. Captain Cook sites and attractions in Great Ayton include the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum, a sculpture of the young 16 year old Cook and Captain Cook's Monument on Easby Moor. Cook family tombs and a Cook tablet also feature within the churchyard of All Saints in Great Ayton.
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A superb holiday base for walking around the Esk Valley and the North York Moors, Great Ayton village sits close to the iconic landmark hill Roseberry Topping which offers stunning woodland and moorland walking. Places to stay include beautiful Great Ayton cottages and self catering converted barns perfect for walks, families, groups and for romantic getaways in the North York Moors. Great Ayton village is well serviced and large featuring a choice of traditional real ale inns, quality bistro restaurants, coffee shops and stylish brasserie restaurants.
Situated on the north western edge of the North York Moors National Park, Great Ayton is a sizeable village with a rich history linked to Captain James Cook. Walking and things to do in Great Ayton and the surrounding North York Moors and Esk Valley countryside include great family railway trips on the Esk Valley Railway. Great Ayton nestles at the foothills of the Cleveland Hills and just 1 mile from this North Yorkshire village is the iconic landmark Roseberry Topping, a geological landmark hill in North Yorkshire great for walkers with pretty bluebell woods and heather moorland.
Great Ayton is at the heart of Captain Cook Country in Yorkshire. Britain's most famous explorer Captain James Cook went to school in Great Ayton and the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum is housed within the charity school which Cook attended between 1736 and 1740. Interactive exhibits feature within the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum digging deep into Cook's early life, his schooling and his later pioneering voyages. Captain Cook books, gifts and souvenirs are all on-sale in the on-site gift shop.
After your tour of the Captain Cook Museum in Great Ayton why not explore the Captain Cook walking trail direct from Gribdale Gate in Great Ayton to the famous Cook Monument situated on Easby Moor. Pick up guides and information on the North Yorkshire Captain Cook walk at the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum. The 12th century All Saints Church is also home to a memorial Captain Cook tablet and some of the Cook family tombs including James Cook's mother.
Places to stay in Great Ayton village in the heart of North Yorkshire Captain Cook Country include charming country cottages perfect as North York Moors walking holiday bases. Stay in beautiful self catering barn conversions in Great Ayton. Great Ayton accommodation is ideally situated for touring the North York Moors National Park, James Cook Country around Whitby and the Yorkshire coast and more Captain Cook attractions around Middlesbrough just north of Great Ayton village in the Tees Valley.
Great Ayton is easily reached by car. From the A1 exit on to the fast A19 Middlesbrough road. Great Ayton is just off the fast A19. The A19 near Great Ayton also offers easy access to Captain Cook attractions around Middlesborough. Bus services to Great Ayton are extensive. Arriva buses run regularly via Great Ayton between Stokesley and Middlesbrough (29) and Stokesley to Redcar (81/781). Great Ayton station also provides convenient links by rail to other Captain James Cook hotspots in Yorkshire and the North East including Middlesbrough and Whitby on the Yorkshire coast.
