Pickering Steam Railway & Coastliner 840

The whistle of a steam locomotive drifting through cobbled parades makes you wonder if you’ve somehow travelled back to the 1800s. But no, you haven’t hopped into Doc’s DeLorean – you’re just in Pickering.

Nestled at the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park, this charming market town is home to one of the most famous and largest steam railways in England, North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Pickering is also served by the amazing 840 Coastliner bus from Leeds, York, Malton and Whitby, one of the most incredibly scenic bus routes in the world, where the customer service is also second-to-none.

It really is a ‘Wow Factor’ thrill a second trip and what’s more – the fare is only £3 for adults! To find out more, go to… https://www.transdevbus.co.uk/coastliner/services/840843/

But beyond the allure of vintage travel, Pickering offers nearly 1000 years of recorded history, with this still embedded in the shape of the town today – be it through the enchanting array of independent shops that line the streets, the endless moorland backdrop or the enduring pace of life that makes Pickering feel like a true Yorkshire escape.

Appearing in the Domesday Book in 1086, Pickering has long been a pivotal settlement on the edge of the North York moors. In the late 11^th century, the town saw the construction of the striking Pickering Castle, shortly after the Norman Conquest, with stone walls that still overlook the Pickering today – it’s well worth a visit for mesmerising views of the surrounding countryside.

In the following years, Pickering transformed into a bustling market town, serving traders from nearby farms and villages. Even today, centuries later, Pickering still holds weekly markets, selling a plethora of local produce and goods that regularly bring visitors from Yorkshire and beyond.

Another timeless historical highlight is St Peter and St Paul’s Church, the oldest building in Pickering, made famous for its stunning medieval wall paintings that offer a glimpse into life in the moors hundreds of years ago. If you want to delve further, don’t miss the Beck Isle Museum, encapsulating the backstory of Pickering through a wealth of exhibits, immersive recreations and special events that make you feel as though you’ve literally stepped back into the town’s rich and vibrant past.

No visit to Pickering would be complete without a trip on North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a true celebration of Britain’s locomotive heritage and one of Yorkshire’s most loved attractions. Departing from Pickering’s perfectly preserved station, the steam railway takes passengers on a magical, 24 mile journey through the heart of the North York moors, the vintage carriages showcasing views of breath-taking landscapes, rolling fields and rural villages that all beautifully capture Yorkshire’s charm.

You’ll end up in Whitby, the atmospheric seaside town famously associated with Bram Stoker’s Dracula, where the author was inspired by the dramatic graveyards and ruins. This is not the only link the steam railway has with the arts. Fans of the Harry Potter films will recognise Goathland Station, one of the stops along the line, which was used as the filming location for Hogsmeade Station in Harry Potter and the Philospher’s Stone. This station became Aidensfield Station in the ITV police procedural show, Heartbeat, one of its best-known television features.

More broadly, the railway and its stations have appeared in Downton Abbey, All Creatures Great and Small, Casualty, Poirot, Sherlock Holmes, Brideshead Revisited, Testament of Youth, Phantom Thread, Keeping Mum and major motion picture films like Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. Whether you’re a film fanatic, railway enthusiast or just looking for a unique way to explore the treasure trove that is North Yorkshire, the steam railway is one of the region’s most unforgettable experiences.

Pickering’s charm doesn’t stop at its wealth of history and stunning scenery. After a day exploring or riding the steam railway across the moors, the town’s collection of cosy pubs and inviting inns provide the perfect retreat. Visit local favourites like The Black Swan Inn and The Middleton Arms for traditional Yorkshire grub, or White Swan for a pint by a cosy fire or, in the summer, the gorgeous sun terrace. For something also quintessentially British, stop by at Botham’s, a quaint tea room with its very own secret garden attached. Finally, you have to try fish and chips at Capplemans – it’s award-winning!

Given Pickering’s fantastic location, it’s no surprise that it’s often described as a “gateway” to the natural beauty of North Yorks Moors National Park. One of the most distinctive landscapes in England, it spans around 550 square miles. Much of this is heather moorland, turning the hills an ethereal purple in late summer when the heathers bloom. Birds like curlews, red grouse and merlins, as well as deer, foxes and many small mammals find home in the national park, the protected status supporting the impressive range of wildlife in North Yorkshire.

Visitors from all over the UK come for walking, cycling and scenic drives, with winding footpaths crossing hundreds of miles of the park. One particularly popular walking route is Cleveland Way, following the moorland edge to the awe-inspiring coastline.

From medieval castles, historic churches and inviting pubs to vintage steam trains meandering through endless purple moorlands, Pickering epitomises the lasting appeal of Yorkshire. There’s so much to do and see here, the tapestry of its past still breathing life into its iconic identity today. And as the whistle of a departing steam train drifts through winding streets, it’s the magic of Pickering that makes it so captivating and no better enjoyed than on the utterly mesmerising 840 Coastliner service. To plan your unforgettable trip, check out….

https://www.greatscenicjourneys.co.uk/journey/coastliner-840-leeds-york-whitby/