Twixmas Walking Break – North York Moors & Coast
Make the most of those quiet days between Christmas and New Year with three nights of walking, good company and a proper change of scene in the North York Moors.
Based in the market town of Pickering, we’ll spend our days enjoying crisp winter walks across the moors and along the Yorkshire coast. We’ll explore Robin Hood’s Bay, follow the coastal path towards Whitby and head into the heart of the moors around villages such as Goathland and Grosmont. Our final walk could take us towards Helmsley and Rievaulx Abbey or along the escarpment at Sutton Bank.
With just eight people, transport provided throughout and relaxed evenings in local Yorkshire pubs, this is your chance to escape the post-Christmas lull, get outside and spend Twixmas with a friendly walking group.
Trip Overview
Location: North York Moors
Duration: 3 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: Shared same-sex dorms
Transport: Car-free break with collection from Malton railway station.
Meals: Breakfasts included. Evenings, we eat out together at local pubs (pay for your own meals)
Price: From £475 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:
Sunday 27 December to Wednesday 30 December 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.
A Good Fit for You If…
You are at a loose end between Christmas and New Year and would rather get away for a few days.
You enjoy leisurely walks of around six to eight miles.
You like the idea of exploring both the North York Moors and the Yorkshire coast.
You are happy spending time with a small, sociable group.
You enjoy relaxed evenings over food and a drink in local pubs.
You would prefer a car-free break with transport provided.
Most people booking a Large Outdoors trip come on their own, so you do not need to arrive knowing anybody.
Probably not for you if…
You are looking for long, fast-paced or high-level mountain walks.
You would prefer to spend each evening independently.
You want a fixed itinerary that will continue regardless of the winter weather.
You are uncomfortable walking on muddy, uneven or slippery ground.
You are looking for a late-night party break between Christmas and New Year.
What People Say
“Gorgeous weekend away, well organised with friendly and knowledgeable guides x”
Exploring the North York Moors and Coast
Those quiet days between Christmas and New Year are too easily spent sitting at home, eating leftovers and wondering what day it is. This Twixmas break gives you a reason to get outside, stretch your legs and enjoy a few crisp winter walks with a friendly group.
From our base in Pickering, we’ll explore both the open landscapes of the North York Moors and the Yorkshire coast. Think clear winter skies, quiet paths, wide moorland views and the coastal route from Robin Hood’s Bay to Whitby, followed by time to explore the town and warm up over fish and chips.
We’ll also head into the heart of the moors to discover villages such as Goathland and Grosmont, with their railway heritage, stone cottages and connections to Heartbeat. Our final walk could take us towards Helmsley and Rievaulx Abbey or along the escarpment at Sutton Bank.
Add in a small group, evenings in welcoming Yorkshire pubs and all your local transport taken care of, and it is a much better way to spend Twixmas than staying at home waiting for New Year.
As it’s Twixmas, we’ve upgraded everyone to a Premier Plus room, with a mini-fridge and complimentary water and snacks, an espresso coffee machine, faster Wi-Fi, a comfortable armchair and an upgraded rainfall shower.
Highlights
Spend Twixmas walking with a small group of no more than eight people.
Follow the Yorkshire coast from Robin Hood’s Bay towards Whitby.
Explore moorland villages including Goathland and Grosmont.
Stay in the market town of Pickering for three nights.
Enjoy relaxed evenings in local Yorkshire pubs.
Here’s what’s included in your trip:
Three nights in an upgraded Premier Plus room at the Premier Inn Pickering.
Breakfast each morning.
Guided walks led by a Large Outdoors host.
Transport during the trip.
An optional collection from Malton railway station.
Return transfer to Malton railway station on the final day.
A maximum group size of eight people.
What’s not included
Travel to and from Malton or Pickering.
Lunches and walking snacks.
Evening meals, including the planned fish and chip supper in Whitby.
Drinks.
Personal walking equipment.
Travel insurance.
Any optional entry fees or additional activities.
Suggested Itinerary
The itinerary is designed to make good use of the short winter days. Routes may change according to the weather, ground conditions and local opening times.
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Hotel rooms will be available from approximately 15:00.
You can travel directly to Pickering or reserve a place on our complimentary collection from Malton railway station at approximately 18:00. The station transfer must be requested when booking or arranged with the Large Outdoors office in advance.
Once everyone has arrived, we’ll meet at the hotel before heading out for dinner together. This is a relaxed first evening and a chance to meet the group and discuss the plans for the following day.
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After breakfast, we’ll travel to Robin Hood’s Bay and spend some time exploring its narrow lanes, cottages and coastal history.
From the village, we’ll follow the Cleveland Way north along the coast towards Whitby. The walk is expected to cover around eight miles, with sea views and a mixture of cliff-top paths and undulating ground.
On arrival in Whitby, there will be time to look around the town, visit some of its independent shops or stop for a drink. We’ll then meet for a fish and chip supper before travelling back to Pickering.
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Our second full day will take us into the North York Moors.
One possible route will explore the countryside around Goathland and Grosmont, using paths connected with the old railway line and the surrounding moorland. We’ll have time to look around Goathland, known to many as Aidensfield from Heartbeat, and visit Grosmont, one of the main stations on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Winter railway services vary, so seeing a steam train cannot be guaranteed. The route still offers an interesting mixture of railway heritage, villages, woodland and open countryside.
Back in Pickering, we’ll choose another local pub for dinner and a relaxed final evening together.
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After breakfast and checking out of the hotel, we’ll aim to include a shorter walk before travelling home.
Depending on the weather and ground conditions, we may head towards Helmsley and follow a route in the direction of Rievaulx Abbey. Another option is Sutton Bank, with its paths along the escarpment and wide views across the surrounding countryside.
We expect to return guests to Malton railway station between approximately 15:00 and 17:00. Exact timings will be confirmed in the final trip details.
Getting There & Accommodation
Here’s everything you need to know about getting there and where you’ll be staying.
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The nearest railway station is Malton.
We offer a complimentary collection from Malton railway station at approximately 18:00 on the first evening. This must be requested when booking or arranged with the Large Outdoors office in advance.
On the final day, we expect to return to Malton railway station between approximately 15:00 and 17:00. We recommend waiting for the confirmed transfer time in your final trip details before booking a fixed return train.
Travelling by Car
Our accommodation is:
Premier Inn Pickering
Thornton Road
Pickering
YO18 7HZFree parking is available at the hotel. You must register your vehicle at reception when you arrive.
Once you have checked in, you will not need to use your car during the break. Transport to and from all the planned walks is included.
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We’ll stay for three nights at the Premier Inn Pickering:
Premier Inn Pickering
Thornton Road
Pickering
YO18 7HZFor this trip, we have booked upgraded Premier Plus rooms, giving you a few extra comforts after a winter day outdoors. Each room includes a mini-fridge with complimentary water and snacks, an espresso coffee machine, Ultimate Wi-Fi, an improved workspace and vanity area, a comfortable armchair, an iron and ironing board, and an upgraded rainfall shower.
Breakfast is included each morning. Evening meals are not included, allowing us to visit local pubs and restaurants as a group, including our planned fish and chip supper in Whitby. You will pay directly for your own food and drinks.
Free parking is available at the hotel. If you arrive by car, you must register your vehicle at reception.
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:
Sunday 27 December to Wednesday 30 December 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.
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