All Aboard for Grosmont and a cottage holiday in Yorkshire. Grosmont, a village in scenic North Yorkshire, is an ideal base for families and individuals wanting to see the countryside on designated walks during their self-catering break. It’s also very appealing for lovers of steam trains and the golden age of the railways. Situated in the Esk Valley, it’s only around five miles from the coastal resort of Whitby. Enjoy browsing for country cottages and rural retreats in and near Grosmont.
It was because of the construction of the Whitby to Pickering line that the village was settled and its fortunes have been largely influenced by the railways ever since. Today, it is eager tourists who come to see Grosmont Station, a throwback to the 1950s with an inviting and traditional tea room. Near to the station, visitors can look inside the engine shed and grab a cup of coffee at the coffee shop on the way.
Volunteers run the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, of which Grosmont is the northern terminus. Passengers can catch a steam train or a diesel train and travel from Pickering to Grosmont, admiring 18 miles of typical North Yorkshire scenery. In the summertime, there is an occasional service from Grosmont to Whitby which is perfect for getting families from their holiday cottage to a day out by the sea.
Opposite the train station, Grosmont Gallery & Jazz Café offers a slice of artistic life with exhibits from local artists in the form of arts and crafts, sculpture, pottery and paintings. Customers are encouraged to sink into an armchair with a newspaper whilst they tap their feet to the jazz being played. It certainly beats waiting in a chilly waiting room for your train.
To combine railway history with a walk, join The Rail Trail, which runs for three and a half miles along the railway line that George Stephenson pioneered in 1836. At four and a half miles, the Industrial Past Walk is a little longer. Starting at Grosmont Station, it’s a circular walk that takes in pretty woodland. The Esk Valley Walk is a long 35 mile trail going from moorland to the coast and it can be joined at Grosmont.
If you are looking to explore the local area on your cottage holiday, nearby Whitby has lots to offer. Whitby is a very atmospheric coastal town with an interesting history and it’s a great day out from Grosmont. The uphill trek to St. Hilda’s Abbey, dating from the 13th century, is definitely worthwhile and the replica of Captain James Cook’s ship, Bark Endeavour, is a must see. The explorer spent some time in the town as an apprentice and his former home is now the Captain Cook Memorial Museum. For a comprehensive history of the town, make for Whitby Museum. If art is more to your taste, there is plenty on show at the Pannett Park Art Gallery. The town’s association with the whale industry is remembered with the famous Whalebone Arch.
Staying in Grosmont is a memorable experience, especially when the surrounding countryside is seen through the windows of a steam train. Couples will find it romantic and the kids will think they are extras in a Harry Potter film!
Take a look at any self-catering cottages in Grosmont or view cottages in Yorkshire generally and see if you can find somewhere appealing for your next summer holiday or short break in Yorkshire. Dog owners could browse our list of pet-friendly cottages in North Yorkshire to receive a special ‘doggy welcome’.
Advice on Cottage Holidays in Grosmont
Whether you choose to book a holiday cottage in Grosmont, an apartment, a lodge or another type of self-catering holiday accommodation, we hope you have your best holiday yet in North Yorkshire.