North York Moors Railway Pickering Castle North Yorkshire UK

North Yorkshire Moors Railway Pickering - Grosmont - Whitby

Another reason for Pickering being an excellent location is that fact that it has its own station stop on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Line. In fact Pickering Station has been dressed up for many a use in film and television - it's in a Gwynneth Paltrow film called 'Possession' soon apparently, umm can't wait for that!

If you're staying in Pickering you can hook up with the steam train, and take in the breathtaking scenery along this line which runs from Pickering to Grosmont, then east on to Whitby. Check out the website for running times and events.

The full journey time without stops from Pickering to Whitby takes just over one and a half hours. Each stop holds its own delights, and with a choice of single, return and rover tickets available you can plan your own day. Hop on and off Pickering to Grosmont Day Rover tickets or Pickering to Whitby Day Rover tickets are popular options, with special rates available for families.

Both Whitby and Pickering at the start and end of the journey are particularly crammed with attractions. Pickering boasts a historic castle, fine specialist shops, the celebrated Beck Isle Museum and a fine choice of country pubs and restaurants. Whitby is one of the Yorkshire coasts most popular destinations with a choice of museums exploring the town's maritime links and special relationship with Captain Cook alongside fun Dracula themed attractions, historic Whitby Abbey and the best of Yorkshire specialist shops, pubs, tearooms and restaurants, not to mention great beaches and coastal walking. North Yorkshire Moors Railway Customer Services tel. 01751 472508. Talking timetable tel. 01751 473535. The complete timetable and ticket prices are listed on the website.
www.nymr.co.uk

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Pickering Castle

Just north of Pickering Centre and the steam railway station you'll find the 12th century motte and bailey Pickering Castle.

Pickering Castle stands out as a particularly fine example of a motte and bailey castle. Considerable sections have survived, including the keep, towers and walls.

The castle was built by William the Conqueror. Find out more via the exhibition in the chapel.

Pickering Castle, Castlegate, Pickering YO18 7AX. Tel. 01751 474989. For details see the English Heritage Pickering Castle weblink right.

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The Beck Isle Museum Pickering North Yorkshirie

An especially good museum for children, the Beck Isle Museum sits in the heart of Pickering appropriately by Pickering Beck and bridge - the bridge is where William Marshall thought up England's first Agricultural Institute early in the 1800s.

The museum is housed within a rather attractive Regency mansion, and exhibits within are wide ranging covering several historical periods focusing on local life. Reconstructed rooms are incredibly detailed and include a barber shop, Victorian Parlour, Victorian Pub and Blacksmiths. An extensive costume gallery displaying clothes from the 19th and 20th century is also within the museum.

Particularly fascinating is the photography on display by Sidney Smith and wife Maud. Sidney Smith was born in Pickering, and his photography spans the period from around 1910 to the 1960s. Smith's photography captures Pickering residents and people passing through the town during the period. The collection serves as a social document of the town and the photographs, particularly the portraits, are incredibly natural and moving. See examples of Smith's photography via the museum's website.

Beck Isle Museum of Rural Life
Pickering, North Yorkshire YO18 8DU
www.beckislemuseum.co.uk

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Pickering Tourist Information

Pickering Tourist Information
The Ropery, Pickering
North Yorkshire YO18 8DY
Tel: 01751 473791
Open March-October daily
November-February, Monday-Saturday.

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