Days out along the Esk Valley Railway

We’ve had some lovely days out from our caravan to the villages along the Esk Valley using the train line that runs from Middlesbrough to Whitby, stopping at 16 stations, many of which are very pretty and interesting villages. 

Last summer we drove to Great Ayton, probably the closest station to Drovers Way, we parked at the little station car park and got the train to Danby. We walked up to the Danby Beacon which was quite a slog, especially as it was a very hot day but worth it for the views from the Beacon and also on the way up, looking across the moors. If you don’t want anything so energetic, there is the Moors National Visitor Centre at Danby to look around with exhibitions and a tearoom. There is an outdoor playground and picnic area and a shorter, flat circular walk.

Another outing we have done, which is our favourite is to Lealholm, via the train, again. Lealholm is a really pretty little village that has a stream running through it with stepping stones.

Visit the unusual Poet’s Corner Shrub Nursery, it’s only small and is just like walking round someone’s garden except you can buy the plants.

There are 2 tearooms, both with outdoor space to sit, but the Shepherd’s Hall Tearoom is the larger of the two as is the tea garden, particularly good if you have children with you. There is a green with The Stepping Stones Cottage Bakery opposite that sells homemade pasties and cakes which are delicious and they also make coffee to go. We bought an early lunch there and sat on a bench in the sun to eat it.

After lunch we walked from Lealholm to Glaisdale, the walk is signposted and about 2 miles or so in length. The walk starts from the village car park and follows the River Esk through lovely countryside. We went through a farm and at one point we had to climb over a stile which led us into the edge of someone’s garden, which is part of the walk!

In Glaisdale there is a pub on the way to the station where we had a very welcome cool drink and instead of heading back to Great Ayton we decided to get the train to Whitby. Here we had a little wander around the harbour and ended our day with fish and chips eaten out of the paper (or should I say polystyrene carton) overlooking the sea. Then it was back on the last train to our starting point and back to the caravan.

For more information, visit eskvalleyrailway.co.uk

Just a little warning to note, the trains only run about every 2 hours so time your journeys, especially after 4pm as there was a gap in the schedule when we went and definitely check the last train times or you will be looking for a B&B!!

Hope you enjoy, Beryl & Paul