North Yorkshire Moors Railway

ke a trip on one of the world’s greatest railway experiences, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Railway Conservation. Run by Volunteers. Not for Profit. It really is one of the most unique experiences in Yorkshire, making it one of our top recommendations for a memorable family day out in the North York Moors.

Photo credit: NYMR

The North Yorkshire Moors Railway is one of the world’s greatest heritage railway experiences with thrills and family fun at its heart. Climb on board a steam or heritage diesel train and experience 24 miles of Yorkshire’s amazing scenery at this must-see visitor attraction.

Upcoming Events
 

Easter at NYMR - 28th March to 12th April

Hop into spring with family-friendly fun at the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this Easter! From scavenger hunts to bridge building, story time to stay and play, the holidays are packed with something for every young explorer. Plus, we’re offering a free child place with every paying adult and reduced rates over the school holidays - making it the perfect time to discover the magic of the railway.

Easter Scavenger Hunt:  Saturday, 28th March - Sunday, 12th April

Location: Pickering and Goathland Stations

Explore the stations with our Easter Scavenger Hunt! Find letters hidden on the colourful Easter Egg boards at each location to unscramble a secret word for a chance to win an Easter egg. If you’re looking for a bigger challenge collect the words from each station and combine into a phrase to enter a grand prize draw for a Family Day Ticket.

Pick up your free scavenger sheet at Pickering and Goathland Tea Rooms and Station Shops and let the hunt begin!

Bridge Building Challenge: Friday 3rd - Thursday, 9th April

Location: Pickering Visitor Centre, Platform 2
9:30 am - 4:30 pm

Come and take part in our Bridge Building Challenge in support of the Bridge 42 Appeal. Do you have what it takes to build a bridge over a miniature moving train track in five minutes or less? Our Visitor Centre will be open from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, for families to drop in and take part. Building zone space is limited, so during busier periods there will be free-play activities available to keep little ones entertained while you wait.

Station Stay and Play: Wednesday, 1st April

Location: Pickering Station, Classroom
9:30 am - 11:00 am

Join our first under 5s Station Stay and Play session of the season. Get involved with soft play, sensory, steam-inspired fun. There’ll be foam blocks, tunnels, train tracks, push-along engines and musical toys in our soft play area - plus four activity corners: Hydration Station, Cosy Corner, Building Base and Crafty Corner, offering something for every little one.

Price: £3 for each child (£1 for each additional child) Adults FREE.

Station Storytime: Wednesday, 8th April

Location: Pickering Station, Classroom
10:30 am - 11:30 am 

Come join us this Easter for our first Station Storytime event. This session's Storytime book is 21 Elephants and Still Standing - the true story of P.T. Barnum marching 21 elephants across Brooklyn Bridge in 1884 to prove it wouldn't fall down. After the story, families will discuss bridge design before taking on the ultimate engineering challenge: build a bridge strong enough to hold 21 toy elephants! The strongest creations win prizes.

Price: FREE. Suitable for ages 5+.

Day Out With Thomas™

23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 29, 30 & 31 May

All Aboard! Thomas the Tank Engine, everyone’s favourite #1 blue engine is coming to town. Day Out With Thomas: Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll Tour is hitting the tracks and bringing the beat to the North Yorkshire Moors Railway this May.

Your Day Out With Thomas

Day Out With Thomas is a fun-filled family event. Each ticket includes a train ride behind Thomas, a real steam engine, as well as access to a full day of activities for all to enjoy including live entertainment, photo ops with Sir Topham Hatt, garden games, arts and crafts, storytelling and an exclusive Thomas & Friends™ character hunt.

Enjoy a full day of fun with the whole family, there’s so much to do. Your ticket includes all the activities listed below plus, Thomas & Friends™ giveaways for every child!

Family friendly activities include:

• Hop onboard for a ride behind Thomas, a REAL steam engine!
• Say hello to Sir Topham Hatt
• Watch the exciting live shows with Sodor Station Sweepers Rusty & Dusty
• Explore and have fun in the Thomas & Friends music corner
• Join in the Thomas & Friends character hunt
• Play with the Thomas & Friends garden games
• Listen to the Thomas & Friends storytelling sessions

• Have fun in the Play Pod with the Thomas & Friends toys, arts and crafts
• Visit the Thomas & Friends tattoo station
• Capture your family memories with the Thomas & Friends photo opportunities
• Make your own musical whistle
• Have unlimited fun on the fairground ride
• Join in the railway themed fete games 
• Try the remote-control Thomas maze
• Pop along to the Thomas & Friends gift shop

NER Autocar

Whilst enjoying the fun, visitors can also hop on board the NER Autocar for an hour long scenic train ride which will travel from Pickering to Levisham and back. Bookings are not required for this, but seating is limited.

Tickets

All ticket prices include a 10% booking fee. A 75p transaction charge applies once per booking.

Adult: £21.45
Adult with Child Under 2 on Lap: £21.45
Child 2-15: £24.75
Carer: £12.65

Tickets for an unforgettable adventure at Day Out With Thomas: Let’s Rock, Let’s Roll tour are on sale now! Advanced tickets are required. On the gate sales are based on availability.

Explore the Railway

• Pickering Station is a beautiful 1930s themed station;
• See stunning scenery and wildlife in the North York Moors National Park;
• Visit Goathland, which became Hogsmeade Station in the first Harry Potter film;
• Explore Grosmont Station, home to the operating and engineering world of the NYMR;
• Visit Whitby with its narrow streets, bustling harbour and the ruins of Whitby Abbey.
  
  

Engine 92134 at Levisham Station (Photo credit: Charlotte Graham)

Ticket Information

Various ticket prices – please see website for details.

Visit website

Accessibility

Fuss-free access means that all of the carriage sets in service on the full length of the line contain one vehicle that has been specially adapted to ease access for everyone with mobility problems and accommodate them with their friends and family.

Parking

There is paid parking available just a short walk from Pickering Station.

Engine 76079 at Newtondale (Photo credit: Charlotte Graham)

Directions by car from Great Ayton to Pickering

There are various routes to take you from Great Ayton to North Yorkshire Moors Railway at Pickering, we have detailed two options below:

Shortest Route

A beautifully scenic route taking you over the moors via the A170.

Duration: Approximately 50 minutes drive (29 miles)

• From the stone bridge over the River Leven at the Low Green take the direction up Easby Lane (1.6miles)
• Turn left onto Battersby Avenue and travel to Crag Bank (4.2 miles)
• Turn onto Sleddale Road then Upper Esk Road which leads to Blakey Ridge (6.1 miles)
• At Blakey Ridge take the Yarn Brow (A170) to Park Street in Pickering

Via Guisborough

Takes you through the historic market town of Guisborough and up onto the moors via Blakey Ridge.

Duration: Approximately 1 hour drive (36 miles)

• From Great Ayton take the A173 towards Guisborough
• At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Middlesbrough Road (A171)
• At the next roundabout take the first exit, remaining on the A171
• At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit, remaining on the A171
• At the next roundabout take the 2nd exit onto Whitby Road on the A171
• Turn right onto Smeathorns Road
• Continue onto Blakey Ridge on the A170 to Park Street in Pickering
  
  

Try the Train from Great Ayton Station to Grosmont

Grosmont Station (Photo credit: Charlotte Graham)

Travel directly from Great Ayton Station to Grosmont using the Esk Valley Railway (train operator is Northern Railway). From Grosmont Station you can take the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to Pickering and return.

Travel Info

Engine footplate (Photo credit: Charlotte Graham)

All information and images are courtesy of North Yorkshire Moors Railway with the exception of directions.