Beautiful view of a lush green landscape with fields, trees, and distant hills under a bright blue sky.
Group of people sitting on grassy hillside, overlooking open landscape with rolling hills and sparse shrubs.
A group of eight people standing on a stone bridge outdoors on a sunny day, with leafless trees in the background.
A scenic view of rolling hills and valleys with a dirt path, partly cloudy sky, and dry grasses and bushes on the foreground
A person in a blue jacket with a backpack, opening a wooden gate in a stone wall, overlooking rolling hills with trees and fields under a cloudy sky.
A scenic landscape featuring rolling hills, green fields, and purple flowers in the foreground, with cloudy skies overhead.
Waterfall flowing through a lush forest with colorful autumn leaves.
Night sky illuminated with pink and purple aurora borealis over houses and trees in a suburban area.
A scenic view of a small village with stone houses, a church tower, a narrow stream, and a grassy area with blooming flowers under a partly cloudy sky.
A vintage black steam train with red wheels traveling through a lush green countryside with trees and fields.
A historic stone castle with multiple towers and surrounded by colorful plants and bushes, under a partly cloudy blue sky.
Green hillside with winding train tracks running through a lush forested landscape, under a partly cloudy sky.
Group of hikers resting on a grassy hillside overlooking a valley with fields and rolling hills under partly cloudy skies.
A scenic view of rolling green hills, trees, and fields under a clear blue sky with a bright sun.

New Adventure

Thirsk & Rievaulx – North York Moors Walking Break

Uncover the quieter side of the North York Moors with Large Outdoors on this two-night, hotel-based walking break. This fully guided, car-free trip is designed for those who enjoy sociable walking, dramatic landscapes, and a dash of history, all without needing a car. We’ll base ourselves in the traditional market town of Thirsk, with two days of varied walking and time to enjoy the timeless charm of the National Park.

Experience Type: Multi-Day Experience
Duration: 2 nights
Accommodation: Hotel
Transport: Car-Free Experience
Group Size: Maximum 8
Level: Leisurely
Age: 18+
Dogs: No dogs, except trained assistance dogs

What to Expect on your North York Moors Walking Break

  • Hotel-Based Stay: Comfortable en-suite accommodation with breakfast included.

  • Fully Guided Walks: Explore with an experienced Large Outdoors guide.

  • Car-Free Travel: Includes pick-up and drop-off at Thirsk station.

  • Sociable Group: A friendly atmosphere, ideal for solo walkers or small groups.

  • History & Landscape Combined: Walks that bring together moorland beauty and cultural heritage.

 
 

Discover Big Skies, Hidden Valleys and Ancient Ruins in the North York Moors.

The North York Moors National Park is a place of contrasts. Quiet woodlands open onto wide heather moorland; medieval ruins sit hidden in deep valleys; and centuries-old villages feel untouched by time. This trip offers a chance to explore some of these lesser-trodden corners, with walks that are as much about sharing stories as they are about distance covered.

This part of Yorkshire has long been associated with myths, monastic settlements, and rural tradition. From the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey to the dramatic moorland edges above Hawnby, the landscape invites exploration – and rewards it with far-reaching views, rich history and moments of peaceful solitude.

View from the Hawnby walk.

View from the Hawnby walk.

Suggested Itinerary

Here’s what we’ve got planned - of course, we may have to offer alternatives or make amendments if the weather misbehaves or other unexpected situations arise!

  • Arrive at your leisure from 15:00 to check in to the hotel in Thirsk. For those arriving by train, our guide will collect you from Thirsk station at 17:45.

    We’ll all meet in the hotel bar at 18:00 for a relaxed welcome before enjoying a group dinner in the hotel (not included in the trip price). It’s a chance to unwind, meet your fellow walkers, and chat about the days ahead. If you arrive later, just join us in the bar when you’re ready.

  • After breakfast, we head out to the small hamlet of Hawnby for a sociable 10-mile circular walk through one of the quieter, more scenic corners of the North York Moors.

    We begin with a gentle stretch through wooded valleys and tucked-away tracks before climbing steadily onto open moorland. From the higher ground, there are wide views over the Vale of Mowbray and, on a clear day, even across to the distant hills of the Yorkshire Dales.

    This route showcases the diversity of the Moors — ancient woodland, high ridges, and peaceful farmland. There’s time for a scenic picnic lunch before we descend towards Arden Hall and return to Hawnby, finishing the walk with a well-earned cuppa at the local tearoom.

    We then return to the hotel to freshen up, before heading out for a group dinner in a traditional North York Moors pub (meal not included).

  • We begin our final day with another cooked breakfast, then it’s off to one of the most iconic sites in the North York Moors – Rievaulx Abbey.

    Founded in 1132, the abbey grew to become one of the wealthiest Cistercian monasteries in England before its dramatic dissolution under Henry VIII. The extensive ruins lie in a peaceful wooded valley and remain one of the region’s most atmospheric places.

    Our circular walk takes us from the abbey and along parts of the Cleveland Way, passing through woodlands, along ridgelines and through quiet dales. It’s a route rich in both natural beauty and historical context, with chances to stop, reflect and absorb the slower pace of this timeless landscape.

    After the walk, we head into the nearby town of Helmsley. There’s time to explore its independent shops (including outdoor gear and gift shops), stop for tea and cake, or simply enjoy the market town feel before we return you to Thirsk station for around 16:00.

Views from Sutton Bank over towards the Yorkshire Dales

Views from Sutton Bank in the North York Moors

Essential Information

  • Meeting Time: Check-in from 15:00.

    The Large Outdoors host will meet you in the bar from 18:00.

    Meeting Location:
    Premier Inn Thirsk
    Sowerby Gateway,
    Thirsk,
    North Yorkshire
    YO7 3HF

    Please note there are a number of Premier Inn’s in Norwich.

    Parking: Free parking is available at the hotel.

    Train Station Collection: We will be offering a collection from Thirsk Station at 17:45. This can be booked during the checkout process or by contacting the Large Outdoors office This must be booked at least 48 hours in advance.

    Finish Time: We aim to drop you back at either the hotel to collect your car or the train station for 16:00. If you’ve travelled via public transport, please ensure you book onward travel accordingly (i.e. an open return ticket), to allow for flexibility.

  • Accommodation Address:
    Premier Inn Thirsk
    Sowerby Gateway,
    Thirsk,
    North Yorkshire
    YO7 3HF

    Room Types:
    Single Rooms (en-suite bathroom) are for one participant and have a king-sized double bed.
    Double Rooms (en-suite bathroom) sleep up to two participants booking together, in a king-sized Double bed.
    Shared Rooms: You will be sharing a twin room with another person of the same sex.

  • Included:

    • 2 nights’ accommodation at the Premier Inn in Norwich.

    • Pickup and return from and back to Norwich Train Station.

    • Travel from the accommodation to activity start points and back, where they don’t start from the door.

    • A hearty cooked breakfast each morning, prepared by the accommodation.

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

    • Guided walks on three days (Days 2 & 3) in the beautiful Norfolk Broads.

    • 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 or train station collection.

    • Packed lunches for the walks. We will stop at a local shop each morning to collect some lunch.

    • Dinner on each evening - we’ll book a table at a local pub to enjoy dinner as a group and you can purchase whatever you fancy from the menu available.

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

    • Alcoholic drinks - please feel free to bring something with you to enjoy at the accommodation. There are also a couple of pubs in the village for a post-walk pint or two!

    • 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 have the items listed.

Location of our North York Moors Walking Break

 

This map is provided for guidance regarding the general location. For detailed meeting information, please refer to the 'Meeting Time & Location' section.