Jacky’s North Yorkshire Tour: York, Whitby & Rievaulx Abbey

By Jacqueline Munro | Jul 21, 2022

Digital Editor, Jacky, tells us about her North Yorkshire tour holiday. Visiting friends, family and new places like Whitby and Rievaulx Abbey. Get some inspiration for your own Yorkshire visit!

Being from Yorkshire I make the trip once a year to visit friends and family, and take the excuse to make a wee holiday out of it! Last week I did just that, and once again, it did not fail to disappoint.

North Yorkshire Moors

We stayed in a cosy AirBnB in the little village of Newton-on-Rawcliffe which served as our central base throughout our trip. York and Whitby were only 40 minutes drive away and the weather was on our side! The village was nestled in the sprawling North Yorkshire moors with a train track visible from the path.

North Yorkshire moors with train track

First we visited friends in York to meet their new baby. I will absolutely never tire of the Shambles! We always make sure to visit Monk Bar Chocolatiers to get a chocolate shot. A chocolate cup filled with liquid chocolate that you can drink . . . and then eat the cup!

Whitby

The next day was on to Whitby, famed for its connections to Dracula and, subsequently, goths. It quickly became a new favourite! I’m a huge fan of higgledy-piggledy streets and these were packed with jet jewellers, seaside candy stores, quirky gift shops and tons more. We walked up the 199 Steps to Whitby Abbey but unfortunately didn’t have time to go inside proper.

Whitby Abbey

After a must-have chippy lunch we walked out along the pier and back with gorgeous views of the beach and town. One of the boat tours is on my list for next time! On our way back to the car, I got—er—blessed by a seagull, which I’m taking as ‘good luck’! When in Whitby.

Whitby beach on a sunny cloudless day, people playing in the waves

Whitby beach, shortly before seagullgate

Rievaulx Abbey

Our final stop was to Rievaulx Abbey and the village of Helmsley. This site really is enormous! With lots of nooks and crannies to peep into. It’s very newly updated with a lovely tea room, newly-opened museum and audio tour guides. It’s very easy to picture just how the monks would have lived here, and why they picked such a peaceful spot.