🏰 History & heritage
Rievaulx Abbey
One of the most complete and beautiful Cistercian abbeys in England, in a wooded valley near Helmsley.
Moderate · Circular
Photo: Gordon Hatton , CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
🏰 History & heritage
🌿 Moors & nature
🏰 History & heritage
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Byland Abbey and Mount Snever
Abbey ruins, a climb through woods to an observatory folly and a return past the Kilburn White Horse road.
Distance7 km / 4.3 miles
Time2h 30m
GradeModerate
RouteCircular
From the abbey follow the lane to Oldstead and climb through the woods to Mount Snever Observatory, a tower built in 1838 for Queen Victoria's coronation with a view over the Vale of York. Return along the escarpment edge and down through Cams Head to the abbey.
- One steady climb of about 150 metres
- Combine with the White Horse and Sutton Bank for a full day
- Pub at Oldstead and tea room at the abbey
Things to see nearby
🏰 History & heritage
🌿 Moors & nature
Sutton Bank and the National Park Centre
James Herriot called this the finest view in England. Easy walks, cycle hire and a cafe on the escarpment edge.
🏰 History & heritage
Helmsley Castle
Medieval castle with a shattered keep, Tudor mansion and Civil War history in the middle of the town.
More walks
Moderate
Whitby to Robin Hood's Bay on the Cleveland Way
The classic clifftop day: abbey to bay past Saltwick, the lighthouse and the fog signal, with a bus back.
Moderate
Hawnby Hill and Easterside
Two whaleback hills in the quiet western dales with views to the Cleveland Hills and Bilsdale.
Moderate
Hole of Horcum and Levisham Moor
A full circuit of the great amphitheatre with views into Newton Dale and a possible steam train below.