Discover Grosmont and Whitby

Yorkshire has a proud industrial heritage which was supported and enabled by the rise of the railway.  We have a range of steam railways in the county,  and a pleasant drive of just under two hours from Harrogate through gorgeous scenery brings you to Grosmont.  A beautiful village with a steam railway station.  You could be forgiven for thinking that you have been here before, though, particularly if you are a keen movie buff.  The steam trains and station at Grosmont have featured in several films over the years.  

The village itself was a thriving centre of industry in the 19th century.  It was built around the discovery of ironstone.  Once a bustling industrial village on the route of George Stephenson’s pioneering railway between Whitby and Pickering, it is now a tranquil location and has stunning views.  the North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) keeps that proud industrial heritage alive. You can watch the plumes of steam rise as heritage locomotives pull into the station and can take a scenic journey through some of the most beautiful countryside in England.  Whether you’re a railway enthusiast or simply love a nostalgic adventure, it’s an experience not to be missed.

The beauty of the village and surrounding hills has not gone unnoticed by Hollywood either.   In 2021, film crews and Hollywood legend Harrison Ford arrived to shoot scenes for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. The village’s famous station, with its authentic period feel, was transformed into a 1940s setting.  Harry Potter fans may recognise Grosmont as Hogsmeade Station.  It featured in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.  The North York Moors Railway has also featured in Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning, starring Tom Cruise, who filmed some very dramatic train scenes on the railway. 

Grosmont is a thriving rural community with plenty to explore. Home to Britain’s oldest independent Co-operative store, established in 1867, the store continues to serve locals and visitors.  It’s a great place to pick up picnic essentials before heading out for a walk in the area.   There are also some very inviting places to grab a coffee and cake. The Old School Coffee Shop and Grosmont Station Tea Room are both local favourites, and well worth a visit. 

The village is just a short drive from Whitby, making it a great place to visit on your way to see Whitby Abbey, which provided inspiration for Bram Stoker’s famous novel, Dracula. In the novel, he describes the graveyard and the famous 199 steps leading up to the church.   However, the rumour that Dracula is actually buried there is false. 

It is definitely worth planning a detour to Whitby for some super-fresh fish and chips for your teatime treat.  We highly recommend the Fish and Chip shop next to the slipway.  A warning if you plan to sit on the nearby seats overlooking the harbour though, particularly if you aren’t super fond of birds getting too close to you.  The gulls have become used to being fed there, and they may land quite close to you and demand chips. 

If the tide is favourable, you can walk down the slipway for a short stroll on the beach (with or without your fish and chips). 

Whitby also boasts some delightful independent shops in the centre of the town and for those who love jewellery, don’t miss the Whitby Jet shops.   You can seek out raw jet on the beach too.  It’s not easy to find, but it’s not impossible either, so it’s well worth keeping an eye out for that, and for stones that include fossils too.  Whitby is a fossil hunter’s paradise so it’s well worth a stroll on the beach if geology is your thing.  You may wish to bring your hammer with you so you can split the likely looking rocks in search of ammonites and belemnites, both of which are regularly found in Whitby. 

Harrogate makes the perfect base for exploring both of these beautiful locations.  When you stay at The Camberley, The Lodge, or Camberley Cottages, you are assured of a warm welcome, a great breakfast and comfortable rooms, all en-suite, with one boasting a fabulous copper slipper bath.  Perfect for retaining that feeling of days gone by before heading out to one of the delightful restaurants and bars nearby.     Don’t  forget that you get the best deals when booking direct and can choose your perfect room too.  Just click here to book your stay with us.