Dive into autumn in the North York Moors

Crisp coastal walks, foraging for fungi, wildlife watching and walking in nature, there’s no better season to visit the North York Moors National Park.

With Halloween taking centre stage, Whitby Abbey and St Mary’s graveyard provide the ideal Gothic settings for a spooky encounter.  Whitby Goth weekend takes place 30 October to 1 November, so dress Victorian style and come for a long weekend of dancing, shopping and merry making.  

To understand more of Whitby’s Dracula history, book the Whitby Ghost and Dracula Walk tracing the landmarks that inspired Bram Stoker to put pen to paper, such is its popularity, the 1897 Goth horror Dracula novel has never been out of print. The Whitby Storyteller is the only guide permitted to run tours through this eerie graveyard and promises great fun whether you’re with a gang of friends, with the family or travelling solo. 

If Whitby has been the inspiration for novels, its natural features are no less inspiring. Discover the coastline’s Jurassic past with a Yorkshire Coast Rocks guided tour, fossil hunt, discover dinosaur footprints, local geology and collect black jet stone. Choose from Saltwick Bay to Whitby In the Steps of Dinosaurs trail with Byron Blessed, Filey Fossil Hunt with Fossiliam or Runswick Bay in a Search of Sea Dragons tour. 

After all that exploration and the spirits of Dracula, sample a spirit of a different kind with a Whitby Distillery Tour. You’ll start with a refreshing Whitby Gin and Tonic comprising Original Whitby Gin and crafted from moorland heather. This passionate young team swapped their office desks for a distillery and created a unique gin inspired by the Moors, sea and local stories. 

Enjoy a Botanical Masterclass, touch and smell the ingredients, discover how the distillery came into being and savour three tastings. You’ll even have a complimentary gin glass to take home.  

Get lost in the cobbled streets and alleyways of Robin Hood’s Bay, one of the most picturesque villages on the Yorkshire coastline and explore starry constellations at the Dark Skies Festival.

Just a few miles south, Robin Hood’s Bay makes a perfect stress-free break. With its tight winding alleys and picturesque, red-roofed cottages clinging to the hillside, you can almost hear the footsteps of smugglers trading contraband in underground passages. Walk along the beautiful beach at low tide to reach the secluded cove of Boggle Hole. 

Journey through the narrow alleyways hearing tales of the unexpected with the Whitby Storyteller on the Robin Hood’s Bay Ghost Walk. You’ll hear tales of spirits, shipwrecks, smugglers and local folklore on this lantern-led trail under the stars. 

Art and music thrive here, pop into Wainright’s Bar at The Bay Hotel to hear folk music, live most Friday nights. Enjoy a pint of Baytown Beer or a cup of Baytown coffee and scour the independent stores. 

Nestled above the village is Robin Hood’s Bay Vineyard. Stroll among the vines on a bespoke tour, savour its award-winning red, white, rosé and sparkling wines. You’ll be surrounded by stunning views of coast and countryside as experts explain the history and wine-making process, every bottle is filled with dedication and passion. 

Little else beats getting up-close to nature and in autumn the Yorkshire coast is alive with seabirds, whales and deer. For unbeatable memories, book a trip with Yorkshire Coast Nature. Run by wildlife expert Richard Baines and award-winning photographer Steve Race, take a Seabird and Whales Twilight boat trip from Staithes, have a Birding Discovery Day at Flamborough or a Deer Rut Photography Experience in Ripon. Check out the calendar of events for an unmissable experience. 

Why not try something different? Make 2026 your year for stargazing!  

Free of city pollution, the North York Moors National Park is one of only 27 Dark Skies Reserves in the world and is perfect for enjoying stargazing. Come to the Dark Skies Fringe Festival, 23 October to 1 November, and bring the family, as it’s half term it’s ideal for introducing youngsters to astronomy. 

Held jointly with the Yorkshire Dales National Park, celebrate the wonders of the heavens at two International Dark Sky Reserves.  Book into one of the dark skies friendly accommodation providers and enjoy perks like telescopes, binoculars, reclining chairs and blankets for hours of comfy outdoor stargazing.  They’ll also provide books, star maps and information on events and some also run stay and gaze packages. Town End Farm Barn is a North York Moors Champion, its entire site is dedicated to dark skies so no light hinders a clear view of the stars.  

The Festival features a series of bookable events including stargazing or astro-photography with experts like Astro Dog and there are plenty of events run by local astro-societies ensuring you’ll know what to look for where. On a clear night you can expect to see The North Star (Polaris), Sirius, the brightest star in the sky, Orion’s Belt, The Milky Way and countless more.