New Year’s Eve Walking Holiday - North York Moors

Meeting Time: from 5pm.
You can arrive any time from 5pm - the Large Outdoors host will be at the accommodation to welcome you. Dinner will be served around 8pm so if you intend to arrive later than this, please ensure you have something to eat on the way.

Pickup (Day 1): We are offering a limited number of complimentary Pickups from Thirsk Train Station at 6:30pm. As places are limited, please select this optional ‘Extra’ when booking, subject to availability.

Return (Day 5): If booking the Pickup ‘Extra’, we will also return you to Thirsk Train Station on the final day, by 10am. Please book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility with the return time, as we (sadly!) can’t control the traffic.

Meeting Location (if not booking a Pickup):
YHA Helmsley
Carlton Lane
Helmsley
YO62 5HB

what3words: ///rebounder.nimbly.single

Parking: There is limited free parking at the hostel. If you need to park on the streets nearby, please ensure you do not block junctions or neighbouring properties’ driveways.

Public Transport: YHA Helmsley is located 16 miles from Thirsk Train Station, with services to/from London Kings Cross, Manchester and Sunderland.

Please Note: On some days there could be a short drive to the start of the walks, we don't include transport and people normally car share. 

Finish Time: There are no walks included on Day 5, so this trip finishes after breakfast, with check-out of the accommodation required by 10am.

We’ll stay at YHA Helmsley for this New Year Walking Holiday. Located in one of the prettiest market towns in North Yorkshire, this hostel offers a great base for exploring this unique region - overflowing with history, heritage and unrivalled scenery. Helmsley is home to a range of independent cafes, restaurants and shops, as well as Helmsley Castle.

Bedding is provided - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

Accommodation Address:
YHA Helmsley
Carlton Lane
Helmsley
YO62 5HB

Room Types:
You can book one of the following options, subject to availability:
Bed in a Shared Female Room
Bed in a Shared Male Room

At this hostel there are Shared Rooms, where you’ll be sharing a dorm room - with bunk beds - with other participants (room sizes vary and bathrooms are shared).

Included:

• 4 nights’ accommodation at YHA Helmsley.

• A Large Outdoors host/guide to welcome you, deal with meal preparation and the logistics for your experience.

• 3 days (Days 2-4) of guided walks around the North York Moors National Park and surrounding area.

• Home-cooked set 2-course dinners at the accommodation on all evenings, with some extra treats to enjoy on New Year’s Eve!

• A DIY breakfast each morning (toast, cereals, fruit and yoghurt provided).

• A DIY packed lunch (sandwich and snacks) for Days 2-4. Please ensure you bring a lunch box or dry bag - to reduce waste, we do not supply cling film or sandwich bags.

• Tea (including decaf and herbal options), coffee (including decaf option), and squash at the accommodation.

• Bedding - but please bring a towel and don’t forget your own toiletries.

• The chance to make new friends and meet like-minded people - Large Outdoors is all about making outdoor adventures sociable.

• Pre-event support from the Large Outdoors team - give us a shout if there’s any advice or information you need and check out our Blog for useful articles too.

Not included:

• Travel to and from the meeting location (but please see the Meeting Location & Time section for details of the Pickup/Transport ‘Extra’ for those wishing to arrive via public transport).

• Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door. On some days there could be a short drive required - we don't include transport and participants normally car share.

• Any extra (i.e. not mentioned above in ‘Included’) excursions or activities that you may partake in which incur a cost.

• Bottled water - tap water and squash are available at the accommodation, so please ensure you bring sufficient water bottles or carriers to fill up and take out with you.

• Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation.

• Any food, drinks or goods you choose to purchase at any shops, restaurant, pubs or cafés visited.

• Travel/activity insurance - we recommend having insurance to cover, at a minimum: cancellation and curtailment; medical and emergency expenses (including repatriation); personal accident; injury and death.

Please see our Residential (Walking) Kit List.

The compulsory items are selected for your safety, which is of paramount importance to us at Large Outdoors. Each participant should be carrying the items listed.

• What level of fitness is needed?
  This trip is graded as Leisurely and Active as a choice of walks will be on offer. Click here to see Large Outdoors’ Experience Levels.

• Can I attend on my own?
  Absolutely. The majority of our participants are solo travellers and adventurers. Plenty of fun, laughter and numerous long-term friendships (and a few marriages!) have begun on Large Outdoors experiences since 2008, so there’s no need to feel worried about your first experience, or indeed trying a new type of outdoor activity, with us.

• I am currently on a specific diet / have an allergy - can you cater for me?
  Unfortunately, we are generally unable to cater for a wide variety of diets or food preferences due to the nature and cost of our catered trips and/or the use of shared kitchens. However, we can offer vegetarian meals, vegan meals, provide meals with gluten* free ingredients, and/or provide dairy* free meals - these options can be selected when booking. *Please see our general FAQs for more information about dietary options.

• What transport is provided during this experience?
  We do not provide any transport for this experience (but please see the Meeting Location & Time section for details of the Pickup ‘Extra’ for those wishing to arrive via public transport). On some days there could be a short drive required to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the accommodation - participants normally car share.

• Can I bring my dog?
  Dogs are not allowed on this experience, except for trained assistance dogs. If you wish to bring your trained assistance dog, please let us know in advance of booking so we can discuss the itinerary and any activity/equipment/accommodation, and of course additional safety requirements or considerations that may be necessary.

Perhaps best known as an area of high moors with fantastic views and the famous summer blooming of purple heather, the North York Moors National Park is so much more than that. The National Park and surrounding area is home to acres of woodland, with wildlife skitting between the trees; a stunning coastline, including the towns of Whitby and Robin Hood’s Bay; and an endless number of trails to explore.

Beyond the great options for both easy and more difficult days out walking, there are ancient market towns to enjoy - where traditions haven’t changed for hundreds of years - as well as plentiful tearooms and cosy country pubs.