A Joyous Discovery

A number of years ago I drove north through the Castle Howard estate, Beethoven’s Pastorale playing in the car. The road rose and fell, passing through a smart guard of giant trees, until I came up the final rise to see the Vale of Pickering before me. It was a voyage of joyous discovery.

I was to find the delightful villages of Hovingham (birthplace of the Duchess of Kent), Nunnington (we had a scrumptious lunch at the Royal Oak) and Helmsley (Duncombe Park and Rievaulx Abbey). I loved the area so much I moved in a few months later.

I was lucky to find the market town of Kirkbymoorside, a community of amazing variety. It is called a ‘market town’ because every Wednesday traders from all over the area set up stalls and sell their produce.

Many people come to the town that day. Apart from general shopping, armed with an efficient diary they can see the doctor, dentist, bank manager and post office, have lunch with old friends, have their hair and the cat’s claws clipped then have fish ‘n’ chips for tea.

Kirkbymoorside has an air of tranquillity, with gorgeous streets of Yorkshire stone and historic buildings including one of the most famous buildings in the area, Buckingham House. There is an 18 hole golf course, squash courts, cricket and football and many other sporting facilities and clubs.

Around 'Kirby', as it is known locally, the visitor can take many varied trips; Walking is popular over the North Yorkshire Moors, exploring the beautiful dales that feed into it; standing at the top of Chimney Bank looking down into Rosedale must be one of the most beautiful sites in England. Take the steam railway from Pickering as it chugs up the dale to Goathland and Grosmont (currently famous for connection to the TV series Heartbeat).

On the coast is Scarborough, popular with holiday makers and Whitby with its connections to Bram Stoker (Dracula came ashore here) and Captain Cook, its superb fish restaurants and jet jewellery. Robin Hood’s Bay is an idyllic destination. Inland one can look out over Sutton Bank, which has been described as the best view in England (This is James Herriot country, Alf White's veterinary practice was in Thirsk).

To the south is the magnificent city of York.

All in all, to visit Kirkbymoorside will provide you with memories for life.

Bob Gardiner - Kirkbymoorside