The
Mining was once a
major industry of the North East of England and there are many deserted mines
throughout the
It’s name derives from
the River Esk which runs from Castleton in the centre
of the moors, three miles due east through the valley before discharging into
the
There are many
historic and beautiful towns and villages which make up the
WESTERDALE
The most westerly point of the Esk valley, the river rises here in several small becks known as Esklets &
combine to form the river Esk.
Westerdale itself is a pretty village
surrounded by moorland.
CASTLETON
Nestling against Castleton Rigg this pretty village offers a restbite
for the weary traveller.
The village has a small but
vibrant community which offers shops, bank, hotels, pubs, tea rooms & even
a local garage.
A pretty hamlet Castleton is worth
a stop as it relies mainly on tourism today.
DANBY
Danby nestles in a hollow & it’s focus is the village green were sheep make lawn mowers
redundant, there is a pretty stroll down by the river were you can cross using
the
The village offers a village pub,
bakery & café, village store & bed & breakfast accommodations.
GLAISDALE
Glaisdale village is an ironstone mining
village of the 19th Century.
You can view attractive terraces
of slate-roofed cottages.
Wide verges and greens that cling
to the hillside on the western side of the dale just south of the River Esk
Amenities include a post office,
pub & a church.
GROSSMONT
Situated in the heart of the Esk Valley Grosmont has a
significant industrial history.
Take your camera, as the view is
wonderful if you visit Low Bride Stones at Sheep House Rigg
on the edge of Goathland moor.
Here you can catch either the british rail mainline train that
runs from
Amenities include pubs, shops,
café’s & bed & breakfast accommodations along with a heritage centre
& the workshops of the steam train line.
SLEIGHTS
The name Sleights means 'flat land
near water'.
This must refer to an old location
for Sleights, as presently the majority of the village is located on hillsides
on either side of the River Esk.
The houses in Sleights are more
modern than the houses in other villages in Eskdale,
probably because Sleights was still growing at quite a pace, even late into the
twentieth century.
Ameneties include pubs, shops, church,
station & beautiful river walks along with row boat hire, miniature
railway, garden centre & salmon fishing.
The River Esk
has gouged it's path to the
Together these natural features have created
the estuary of the River Esk.
Here lies the town of
There is an abundance of of activities to see & do in
The East Bank with it's maze of alleyways, narrow idyllic cobbled streets and
ancient buildings is overlooked by the cliff top St Hilda's Abbey and the Anglo
Saxon
The
At the seaward end of the quay is the
Whalebone arch which stands as a
reminder that
Visitors will be rewarded for
their climb with panoramic views over the town of
After the 19th
Century thanks to Queen Victoria Whitby fast became a popular tourist
destination.
Queen
The novel ‘Dracula’
was set in
The
Along the way there are stunning views and
picturesque landscapes not to be missed.
During the summer months
the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) operate steam trains several days a
week between
Please
click the above link for information on
Tourism is now one
of the main industries in the Esk Valley and there is
much to offer visitors including; museums, attractions, activities, music,
modern entertainment and an abundance of restaurants, hotels, cafes, B&B’s,
caravan sites and self catering accommodation.
You can fish for
salmon, brown trout and sea trout at various places along the River Esk, and