9.00am: We meet opposite the Dean Court Hotel in Duncombe Place, York, YO1 7EF (near York Minster) and head off into the Vale of York, passing the famous Kilburn White Horse hill figure on the boundary of the North York Moors National Park, which your guide will tell you the history of as we enter the National Park.
10.00am: We stop in the picturesque market town of Helmsley where you can view the medieval castle, explore the quaint shops or just have a leisurely Yorkshire Brew in one of the cafes - the choice is yours!
10.30am: We head off through Hutton-le-Hole and up over the North York Moors for some photo stops, passing the 16th century Lion Inn on Blakey Ridge (the highest point on the Moors) and Ralph's Cross, then through the quaint and picturesque Yorkshire villages that lead down into Whitby. As you arrive in Whitby, you will hear stories about the seaside town's history and your guide will tell you about the main places of interest that you may want to visit.
12.00pm: The tour stops for more than two hours free time in Whitby, with options to visit Whitby's newest attraction, The Endeavour Experience (one of only two full size replicas of the HM Bark Endeavour in existence), the Captain Cook Museum, take the Bark Endeavour scale replica boat trip around the harbour, view Whitby Abbey (inspiration for the Dracula Books), enjoy the beach, or just explore the shops and market of the seaside town and experience Fish & Chips from the famous Magpie Café – the choice is yours!
(If you prefer to spend a little less time in Whitby and take the opportunity of travelling by steam train on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway at our special discounted rate of £10.00, you have the option of boarding the 2.00pm train from Whitby for the 45-minute moorland rail journey through Grosmont to Goathland (Hogsmeade Station in the Harry Potter movies), where you will re-join the Minicoach. This option is available from late March through to October and is paid locally on the day with no need to book ahead).
2.15pm: We leave Whitby with the passengers not taking the train option for the equally scenic road journey to Goathland.
2.45pm: We reach Goathland Station in time to see the other passengers arrive by steam train, then learn about "Hogsmeade", before exploring the picture postcard fictional village of “Aidensfield” in the Heartbeat television series and maybe grab an ice cream from the village store.
3.30pm: We leave Goathland and have a couple more photo stops as you learn the history behind the mysterious RAF Fylingdales Pyramid on Snod Hill and the Hole of Horcum before we head back towards York through the Howardian Hills with panoramic views of Castle Howard.
5.15pm: We arrive back at the meeting point in York at approximately 5:15pm and say our goodbyes.
All timings are approximate (except the start time!) and passengers should not book onward travel arrangements too close to the time of our arrival back in York in case we have traffic problems. November - March - Please note that, between around the end of October and Mid-March, a few of the attractions in Whitby are closed (including the North Yorkshire Moors Railway)
Relaxed and friendly small-group tour
Entrance fees to optional attractions
