Whitby to Marton

The return to Marton and Middlesbrough is across the northern edge of the North York Moors National Park, England's largest area of heather moorland.

The road follows the high ground but below is the Esk Valley with many attractive villages. Steep roads descend into the valley and the Esk Valley railway line from Whitby to Middlesbrough provides a convenient way to see it all. At Grosmont near Whitby this links with the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, an 18 mile steam-hauled line running through moors and steep wooded valleys to Pickering. Frequent steam and diesel events as well as the regular service are held throughout the year on the picturesque line through 'Heartbeat' Country.

Following the moors road, the tour passes Scaling Dam Reservoir, a centre for fishing, sailing and birdwatching. Many small inns and restaurants all along the route serve local dishes and fine ales.

Freeborough Hill rising to 821 feet was said to be the burial mound of King Arthur, but is in fact a natural formation similar to nearby Roseberry Topping.

From Guisborough again, the Tour returns to Marton passing the National Trust property - Ormesby Hall, a classic example of Georgian country house architecture portraying the lifestyle of the wealthy Pennyman family, whose home this was in Captain Cook's time. In addition to exquisite plasterwork and woodwork throughout, this fine mansion boasts a well preserved Victorian laundry, kitchens and game larders. Nearby is the Nature's World attraction. This is a unique environmental centre demonstrating aspects of organic gardening, recycling and environmental awareness. A new feature is a giant underground 'Ecostructure' and a 'Hydroponicum' in which fruit, flowers and herbs all grow without soil. It also has a spectacular huge model of the River Tees from it's source to the sea.

You have now completed the 'Captain Cook Country Tour' but many more cultural and maritime attractions are still to be found in the area.

Introduction >>>

Valid XHTML 1.0 Strict Valid CSS!

site design by id24 Design Ltd
development by Desktop Solutions Ltd