Travel by rail to Lealholm, which is an exceedingly pretty village on the North York Moors.
There is plenty to explore here with an excellent pub, The Board Inn, two tearooms to choose from – one of which sells hand made crafts. There is also a bakery selling delicious cakes. Sit beside the idyllic River Esk and enjoy the scenery whilst having a drink and a meal. Most important for us walkers there is a toilet on the Green right in the centre of the village. We also visited a craft shop selling decorated pottery and glass during the season.
There is also an excellent nursery – Poet’s Corner – where you can browse to your heart’s connect before buying a large range of herbs and perennials before catching a train home. We bought some herbs for our garden. A fantastic day for all the family.
The 10.38 Monday to Saturday services from Middlesbrough can be very busy during the height of the Summer season. We travelled on a Sunday for a family day out 11.05 on a Sunday gets you to Lealholm for 11.59. We used the returning service leaving Lealholm at 1557, arriving back at Middlesbrough for 16.51.
It is £9.60 for an adult day return and a third off with an Esk Valley Railcard, so its worth applying for one. Kids are half price over five years and dogs go free.