Who would have believed that we would have a week of hot sunshine in September for our group holiday on the North York Moors?

But this was so for Mole Valley Ramblers’ group holiday at HF Larpool Hall, Whitby. It is a wonderfully varied area for walks – some along the coastal path, and others on the heather-covered moors. We went up Roseberry Topping and down into the Hole of Horcum.

This area of the coast is gradually being eroded, and in the sea there are “scars” where the cliffs have fallen back and left these rocks at sea level. There are charming little hamlets like Staithes and Robin Hood’s Bay, with cottages tumbling down the hillside, whereas Whitby itself is a bustling town. The ruined Abbey stands on the top of the hill on the east side of the town, and Captain Cook’s monument on the west side, both of these reminders of Whitby’s history. One evening we went on an open-top bus tour of the town and seeing the Abbey with a pink sunset behind it brought the Dracula connection to mind. 

The North York Moors Railway runs through to Pickering and several days we could hear or see the steam trains puffing and hooting along the line. At the station at Levisham there was a poster advertising a voyage on the Titanic from Southampton to New York – price £7.0.0. The disused railway line at the bottom of the garden at Larpool Hall has been turned into a path called the Cinder Track, which is a quick way to walk into Whitby, crossing the dramatic 13-arch Larpool Viaduct on the way. A very enjoyable week.

I am pleased to confirm that the group holiday venue for next year has been chosen as HF Selworthy, on Exmoor, from Friday, 8 September 2017. All details are available by clicking here.

Ginnie Hall