07979 415817 | info@benchmarkcottage.com | Underhill, Glaisdale, Whitby YO21 2PF
Out & About
With 26 miles of stunning Jurassic coastline to explore – and with Glaisdale surrounded by 554 square miles of beautiful, open moorland and wooded dales that characterise the North York Moors National Park – there are limitless activities for walkers, cyclists, explorers and riders of all ages and ability.
With so much on the doorstep, you may be tempted to pull yourself from the warmth and comfort of your Benchmark Cottage retreat and venture into the Great Outdoors!
Who knows…even start a new hobby?
For Walkers
It is hard to know where to begin to walk in such a vast expanse of beach, wood- and moorland, though Pete and I are from the area and happy to give you a steer.
The cottage is full of walking maps and guides, but why not start close to home? Many lovely walks set off from Glaisdale, including:
The route to Egton Bridge through Arncliffe Woods, along ancient stone trods by Beggar’s Bridge – a picturesque and ancient pack horse bridge built in 1612; a historic landmark and walker’s “mecca”.
Mill Wood is a simply gorgeous 3-mile walk to nearby Lealholm, past a “fairy-tale” old mill in a secluded woodland glen, just 5 minutes up from the Cottage along the meandering Esk River. Drop in mid-hike at the local pub in Lealholm or at our favourite tea room, The Shepherd’s Hall, before returning by foot (or village railway) back to your moorland retreat.
Glaisdale is also on the waymarked 37-mile Esk Valley Walk which runs from the River Esk’s high moorland source to the coast at Whitby.
Many UK and international walkers cross the Yorkshire Dales to the West, over to the North York Moors, following Wainwright’s famous 192-mile Coast to Coast Walk which passes through the village and directly past Benchmark Cottage on its penultimate stage to the renowned cobbled streets of smuggler’s cove, Robin Hood’s Bay just 15 miles away.
And of course the cottage is an easy hop across to the 109-mile Cleveland Way, following stunning cliff top walks and heritage coastlines all the way from Middlesborough to Filey.
With many secluded valley towns nearby and a richly diverse wildlife population, it’s easy to understand why our guests love their Benchmark Cottage escape – sharing photographs of their finds and adventures, which we love to showcase in print or via our social media channels.
”’For CYCLISTS & BIKERS
Whichever version of steel horse you prefer to ride, the vast North York Moors is a vast 554-square-mile playground for cycling and motorcycling enthusiasts alike.
From cruising gentle, meandering drifts of high rigg and coastal roads, to plunging down vertiginous slopes into wooded valleys and hidden villages, following ancient cindertracks – or simply rolling gently into the many market towns nearby – biking/cycling fans can enjoy full immersion in the sights, sounds and smells of this unique area of natural beauty.
It’s no coincidence that the 170-mile Tour de Yorkshire (a legacy of the Tour de France Grand Depart) made use of some of the most challenging and picturesque terrains in the country – passing right through Glaisdale.
Great gathering points include:
Yorkshire Cycle Hub (3.6 miles) Set on the pinnacle of Great Fryup Dale, with astonishing birds-eye views over the surrounding valleys and patchwork farmlands of the North York Moors, this cyclist’s paradise boasts a panoramic café serving a wide variety of home-cooked meals and cakes. After such indulgence, why not burn off a few extra calories and take advantage of on-site traditional as well as electric bike hire, or a visit to their well-stocked cycle shop?
Dalby Forest Cycle Hub (21 miles) Dalby Forest is an amazing place to ride whether you’re a thrill-seeker hitting the trails hard or bringing the family for a day out. With a choice of green, blue, red and black trails to suit all levels of fitness and proficiency, Dalby offers a fantastic day out for everyone with a lovely lodge café and picnic area to finish.
As keen motorcyclists, Pete and I are happy to recommend many of the Bike Nights and Biker Cafés in the area, and to recommend some very scenic tour routes.
We welcome guests arriving with any form of wheeled transport and offer safe, off-road parking with security ground anchors and access to any repair tools/rinse-down facilities needed after a day on the open road.
For SEA-LOVERS
From Scarborough’s famous Castle overlooking the harbour, to the hustle and bustle of Whitby’s marina dominated by its famous abbey – through the quaint fishing hamlets of Staithes and Runswick Bay – surfers, fishermen, fossil hunters, sea-swimmers and seal-spotters are truly spoilt here in the ocean beyond our Jurassic blue-flag beaches.
For serious and aspiring deep sea anglers, we recommend Trot on Charters offering wreck, reef, ground and up-tide fishing, based out of Whitby harbour.
Trot On operates all year round and is a consistent winning boat in the Whitby Charter Skipper Association angling festivals. If interested, contact Paul Eddon direct and reference your stay with Joanna and Pete Dixon.
Whitby Wild Swimmers organise regular weekly group swims off the Whitby and Sandsend coast. If you’d like a formal coaching session or would simply like to join in the group fun during your stay, let them know – or contact me (Joanna) direct as I will know exactly how to get you started there! 😀
Whitby Surf School is the ideal place to learn to surf in the country. Beaches at Whitby – and at Saltburn Surf School – provide ideal conditions to dive headfirst into a thrilling and adrenaline-pumping experience. Or to seek beginner, improver or advance tuition by fully qualified instructors, using a wide range of surf and beach equipment to make your session as fun and exciting as can be.
FOR HISTORY BUFFS
Few small towns, such as Whitby, have such a wealth of history in such a dramatic setting. Inspiration for Bram Stoker and his Dracula novel and home to the annual Whitby Goth Festival, Whitby feels very much like a theatrical stage set!
A stroll around the town’s cobbled streets and 7th Century Abbey will soon evoke the spiritual presence of centuries of maritime explorers, industrial pioneers, jet traders, fishing families, whalers and mediaeval monks whose endeavours secured Whitby as one of the most potent, global trading and ecclesiastical centres of Anglo-Saxon, Viking, Renaissance – and Enlightened – Britain.
Whitby Abbey has a colourful (and bloody) past from its headland position which first provided a bronze age round-house settlement before being occupied by the Romans, evolving into a Anglo-Saxon monastery, being decimated by the Vikings and eventually restored under Norman rule.
During a visit to Whitby in the late 19th Century, the author Bram Stoker was so inspired by the sights, gothic atmosphere and tales of Whitby shipwrecks and mythological beings that he used his holiday experience here to publish his Dracula novel in 1897.
199 steps will take you from the cobbled streets of Whitby town up to unparalleled views of the abbey and Whitby harbour. Here you can take an English Heritage tour of the Abbey then visit Whitby Brewery next door to as a post-climb reward!
Set in beautiful Pannett Park, and founded 200 years ago in 1823, this is a good place to start your exploration of the Jurassic and maritime heritage of Whitby; an amazing treasure trove of curious objects, precious gems, ancient fossils and with an active programme of special exhibitions/events throughout the year.
Captain James Cook learnt his seaman’s trade in the museum’s 17th century location, before exploring the unknown waters of the Pacific, South Atlantic and Arctic oceans onboard his two ships ‘Resolution’ and ‘Endeavour’ over 250 years ago. The exhibition gives a sense of the extraordinary conditions confronting the small Whitby-built ships and provides a walk-through of his lodgings here with many original features still intact!
In the heart of the old town, and with a fascinating insight into the ancient geology and production of this iconic and locally-produced British gemstone, the museum is free of charge to all visitors and is run by one of the oldest Whitby Jet producers in the world , W. Hamond, established in 1860.
Displays include original Victorian artefacts as well as specially commissioned Hollywood pieces, notably a spider-themed black dress created for Donna Air at the London opening of The Amazing Spiderman in 2012 using modern Whitby Jet and a dazzling array of black and white diamonds.
North York Moors Steam Train (4.5 miles)
A picturesque walk, car drive or village train hop away is the moorland village of Grosmont, home to the original Whitby & Pickering Railway.
With Whitby famous for whaling and shipbuilding and accustomed more to trading at sea, access inland was severely compromised with climbs over the high moors presenting an apparent insurmountable challenge.
The railway was built as an attempt to halt the gradual decline of the port of Whitby after royal assent was granted in 1833, following recommendation by George Stephenson, renowned ‘Father of Railways’ during the Industrial Revolution.
The first railways were horse-worked. Old horse trods and cinder tracks provide stunning walks through the Esk Valley with the original railway tunnel (designed by George Stephenson) located at Grosmont to facilitate goods transport – not least limestone and iron ore extracted from nearby quarries and mines in the late 19th century.
Today the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Trust is a not-for-profit charitable organisation run as part of the local community. It operates steam train galas and runs regular daily routes from Pickering to Whitby – snaking through some of the most stunning moorland landscapes and nostalgic village stop-offs conceivable!
FOR FOODIES
BEAUTIFUL FOOD, SOURCED LOCALLY
The North Yorkshire Moors, and Eskdale in particular, is blessed with a truly fine selection of eateries ranging from home-cooked, fresh local food prepared in cosy, traditional real-ale pubs, to mid/high-end eateries, including, of course, fabulous fish and chip restaurants serving the freshest of Whitby catch.
It’s no coincidence that the market town of Malton (a picturesque 45-minute drive away) is denoted as Yorkshire’s food capital and that our area draws on the rich variety of local farm-reared game- and fresh sea produce in plentiful supply.
It is truly hard to know where to start, but here are our top recommendations “for starters”, with big Yorkshire hospitality, real food, great ales and local produce at their core:
GREAT PUBS
THE WHEATSHEAF INN, Egton (3 miles)
Our cottage guests absolutely love the local ambience and quality of food served here. With sumptuous interiors and its “land-to-plate” food heritage, tables here should be booked in advance, being highly popular as a destination for locals and visitors alike.
Everything is cooked from scratch with fresh ingredients, including vegetarian options and an unmissable dessert trio! A wonderful roaring fire in Winter makes this an essential stop! Spot the hand-crafted oak bar tables, made with skill and love by our very own Pete Dixon😊
THE POSTGATE INN, Egton Bridge (3 miles)
A great walk through Glaisdale’s Arncliffe Woods by Beggar’s Bridge will take you to this wonderfully traditional country inn that dates back to 1860 and that featured as “The Black Dog” in the popular TV series ‘Heartbeat’.
Take your car or even one stop on the Glaisdale train will deposit you straight outside its door! Delicious home-cooked meals are served by Mark and his brilliant team (guest favourites are the monkfish medallions!), whilst the beer garden is a true Summer delight.
THE BLACKSMITHS ARMS, Lastingham (30 minute drive through gorgeous moor)
If returning from Pickering, completing the gorgeous ‘Lastingham Round’ walk or fancying a moorland joy-ride, this pub will not disappoint. Getting there from the Cottage will give you a perfect excuse to take a behind-the-scenes look at the sumptuous countryside and moorland that characterises the area (be sure to take the Rosedale road above the village to see what we mean!), I confess, this choice is a personal indulgence of ours – and a mecca for joining our friends and families from two sides of the moor!
Game from nearby shoots and local farm produce again are at the heart of Lastingham’s offering. They have tastefully expanded outside to include an extensive and stylish outdoor dining area/beer garden. Just GO!
THE BEST FISH AND CHIPS
With its trawling heritage and active fishing industry, there is arguably no better place than Whitby to enjoy fresh seafood. Our personal favourites include:
THE FISHERMAN’s WIFE, Whitby Pier (8 miles)
Located at the pier with stunning beach views out across to the Northsea, this restaurant has a fantastic selection of fresh-caught lobsters, crab and a wide variety of fish cooked to order. Plus a dessert menu to die for!
TRENCHERS, Whitby Harbourside (8 miles)
Though launched in 1980, the restaurant interior has a fascinating art deco ‘feel’ inside and is well-rooted as a visitor favourite (and with locals in particular), making the most of fresh Whitby catch with an extensive menu in a central location.
THE FISH COTTAGE, Sandsend (7 miles)
Voted “Best Seaside Restaurant in the UK” -iNews. Unpretentious with a fabulous beach location away from the hustle and bustle of Whitby town. Indoor and outdoor seating with restaurant or outside “fish shack” option.
Of course, no visit to Whitby would be complete without visiting renowned, fifth-generation kipper smokers, FORTUNE KIPPERS, located at the foot of Whitby Abbey’s 99 steps in Henrietta Street. Discover more at https://fortuneskippers.co.uk/ and see what the rest of the UK are discovering about this “olde worlde” smokehouse that has not changed premises in over 150 years!
OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
BOTHAM’S OF WHITBY tea rooms, Whitby (8 miles)
Started by a mother of 14 in 1865, and still under family ownership, Botham’s is an iconic bakery and one of the oldest established tearooms in Yorkshire.
Three quintessentially English tea rooms exist (2 in Whitby, 1 in Pickering) serving an array of savoury treats and sweet bakes and with staff in traditional waiting costume. Recipes have not changed in over 150 years, ensuring the bakery’s ongoing profile in many national television programmes and newspaper features.
Our cottage welcome pack includes a couple of Botham’s treats – because we simply can’t resist!
SANDSIDE CAFÉ, Sandsend (7 miles)
Fancy a 3-mile bracing beach walk to Whitby? Make this your absolute ‘must’ starting point for a fortifying breakfast, coffee or satisfying light lunch in a panoramic beach setting. And imagine yourself truly on holiday!
THE WHITE HOUSE INN, Whitby (8 miles)
Brilliant cliff top views over Whitby’s competition golf course. Simple fare, great outside seating – over an area called “Happy Valley” that links the beaches of Whitby and Sandesnd. As such, a great midway stop off.
ABBEY WHARF, Whitby (8 miles)
Lively wine bar feel, but spectacular open terrace view over Whitby Harbour and right in the centre of the cobbled town streets flanked by jet jewellers.
WHITBY BREWERY, Whitby Abbey (8 miles)
Sample/buy local beers in a working brewery dominated by Whitby Abbey at the top of the 199 steps. Check out their music event nights – and their pizza offering alongside your chosen “Quaffable Creation”. A valued supplier of ours at the cottage 😊
MALYAN SPOUT HOTEL, Goathland (7 miles)
Good food and a great way to end your Goathland trip, not least if you are a fan of the famous ITV ‘Heartbeat’ series! Take the steps alongside the hotel down to see the astonishing MALYAN SPOUT waterfall and start of a beautiful Esk Valley Walk way to Grosmont.
HOMESTEAD KITCHEN, Goathland (7 miles)
Relaxed fine dining within a family-owned converted 17th century farmhouse and run by acclaimed chef Peter Neville, sourcing locally grown ingredients with an emphasis on seasonal fayre.
THE LION INN, Blakey Ridge (13 miles):
A 16th century free-house at the highest point on the moors with a spectacular location above Rosedale and Farndale. Walker-friendly, but a warning….Their Yorkshire portions are HUUUUGE!
THE HORSESHOE HOTEL, Egton Bridge (3 miles)
Great Summer pub: outside/riverside beer garden venue with stepping stones and farm shop; pizza oven and barbeque.
