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North York Moors Walking Break – Hawnby, Rievaulx & Helmsley

Escape to the quieter side of the North York Moors on this relaxed and sociable guided walking break with Large Outdoors. Based in the traditional Yorkshire market town of Thirsk, this small-group trip combines scenic moorland walking, ancient abbey ruins, peaceful valleys, and time to enjoy some of the area’s best-loved villages and market towns.

Designed as a fully guided and car-free experience, this walking break includes station collection from Thirsk and transport during the weekend, making it easy to leave the car behind and simply enjoy the walking, fresh air, and good company.

Trip Overview

  • Location: North York Moors

  • Duration: 2 nights

  • Group Size: Max 8 (small group)

  • Style: Sociable walking break

 

Walking Grade: Leisurely

Steady-paced, sociable walking with manageable distances and varied terrain, with time to stop and enjoy the surroundings.

Typical Distance: Around 6–10 miles per day
With plenty of time for breaks and photos at a relaxed pace,

 

  • Accommodation: Hotel

  • Room Type: Single, Twin, Double & Shared same-sex dorms

  • Transport: Car-free (station pick-up included)

  • Meals: Breakfasts included

  • Price: From £325 per person

Check Dates & Book Your Place

Select a date to view availability, room options and prices, and book your place to join Large Outdoors.

Dates & Availability

We run this trip on selected dates throughout the year.

Upcoming dates:

  • Friday 20 - Sunday 22 November 2026

Simply select your preferred date in the booking box to check availability and book.

Can I Book with a Deposit?

Book more than 12 weeks before departure with a 20% deposit. Within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at booking.

 
Beautiful view of a lush green landscape with fields, trees, and distant hills under a bright blue sky.

A Good Fit For You

This trip is ideal if you enjoy:

  • Sociable guided walking with a relaxed atmosphere

  • Exploring quieter corners of the countryside

  • Historic places, abbey ruins, and traditional Yorkshire villages

  • Walking at a steady pace with time for breaks and photos

  • Small-group travel without needing to drive

  • Market towns, tea rooms, and relaxed evenings after a day outdoors

 

Probably Not For You

This trip may not suit you if you are looking for:

  • Fast-paced or highly challenging mountain walking

  • Very long daily distances

  • Late-night nightlife or busy resort towns

  • A self-guided walking experience

Exploring Quiet Corners of Yorkshire

This walking break explores a quieter and more relaxed side of North Yorkshire, away from the busier honeypot spots and into the valleys, moorland edges, abbey ruins, and market towns that give the area its character.

From the wide views above Hawnby to the peaceful setting of Rievaulx Abbey, the weekend mixes scenic walking with places that feel timeless and unhurried. Expect wooded tracks, open moorland, old stone villages, tea rooms, country pubs, and plenty of opportunities to slow down and properly enjoy the landscape.

Highlights

  • Guided walks through quieter areas of the North York Moors

  • Explore the historic ruins of Rievaulx Abbey

  • Moorland views and peaceful valleys around Hawnby

  • Time to enjoy the market town atmosphere of Helmsley

  • Friendly and sociable small-group experience

  • Car-free friendly with station collection included

  • Tea rooms, country pubs, and traditional Yorkshire villages

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A Good Fit for You If…

  • 2 nights hotel accommodation in Thirsk

  • 2 breakfasts

  • Fully guided walks on both full days

  • Transport during the weekend

  • Collection from Thirsk railway station

  • Drop-off at Thirsk railway station on departure day

 

Probably Not for You If…

  • Travel to and from Thirsk

  • Evening meals

  • Packed lunches and snacks

  • Drinks and personal purchases

  • Insurance

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 the hotel from 15:00 onwards and settle into your accommodation before meeting the group later in the evening.

    For those travelling by train, your guide will meet you at Thirsk station at 17:45 for the short transfer to the hotel.

    At 18:00 we’ll gather in the hotel bar for introductions before heading out for a relaxed group dinner nearby. It’s an easy-going start to the weekend and a chance to get to know your fellow walkers before the adventures begin.

  • After breakfast, we travel to the small village of Hawnby for a scenic circular walk exploring one of the quieter corners of the National Park.

    The route combines woodland tracks, peaceful valleys, open moorland, and rolling farmland. As we climb higher onto the moors, the views begin to open out across the Vale of Mowbray and towards the distant Yorkshire Dales.

    There will be plenty of time for breaks and a scenic picnic lunch along the way before descending back towards Hawnby. We’ll round off the walk with a stop for tea and cake at the local tearoom before returning to Thirsk.

    In the evening, we’ll head out together for a relaxed pub meal in the North York Moors.

  • Our final day begins with breakfast before travelling to Rievaulx Abbey, one of the most atmospheric historic sites in Yorkshire.

    Founded in 1132, the abbey sits within a peaceful valley surrounded by woodland and rolling hills. Our circular walk explores the surrounding landscape using sections of the Cleveland Way along with quieter paths through woodland and countryside.

    The route offers a lovely mix of history, scenery, and relaxed walking, with plenty of opportunities to pause and enjoy the surroundings.

    After the walk, we’ll spend some time in the nearby market town of Helmsley. You might choose to browse the independent shops, enjoy tea and cake, or simply wander through the town before we return to Thirsk station for approximately 16:00.

Check Dates & Book Your Place

Select a date to view availability, room options and prices, and book your place to join Large Outdoors.

Dates & Availability

We run this trip on selected dates throughout the year.

Upcoming dates:

  • Friday 20 - Sunday 22 November 2026

Simply select your preferred date in the booking box to check availability and book.

 

Getting There & Accommodation

Here’s everything you need to know about getting there and where you’ll be staying.

  • This trip is based at a comfortable hotel in the market town of Thirsk, providing an excellent base for exploring the North York Moors.

    Participants stay in en-suite rooms, and breakfasts are included each morning before we head out walking. Thirsk itself offers traditional Yorkshire charm, with independent shops, cafés, pubs, and connections to the surrounding countryside.

    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.

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