Mountain Goat Tours

So, today’s the day. It’s 1^st May and I’m going to be a Mountain Goat!

No -  it’s not that I haven’t shaved my legs since Christmas. I’m going on a Mountain Goat day trip and taking my Mum along for the ride. Mountain Goat offer a selection of days trips over different days of the week. We are going to Whitby, Robin Hood’s Bay and the North York Moors which currently operates on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

We leave York Priory after a hearty, home cooked breakfast and make our way to the pick up point by York Minster.

Our Mini bus is easy to recognise and we are warmly greeted by our driver and tour guide for the day, Steve.

When all the guests have arrived, we’re on the road a few minutes earlier than our scheduled departure of 9.15am. With the comfortable seating and large windows of the bus we sit back, relax and take in the great views.

Steve is great. He talks informatively when there are things of interest to point out, but also allows time for us to drink in the views in peace. Comfort breaks are arranged to suit all the passengers, so we never have to worry about being on the road for too long at a time.

After a brief comfort stop in Pickering we make our way over the picturesque North York Moors, the largest area of heather moor in the country.

The first stop is Robin Hood’s Bay where we have an hour to ourselves.

The bus cannot drive down to the beach, we disembark and make our way down the steep path. Walking down does not seem a struggle as there are lovely shops all along the way and we make a stop for a restorative coffee.

Coming back up is somewhat harder especially carrying the purchases we have made!

Back on the bus we continue our adventure and head for Whitby. We have two hours free time to explore and have lunch.

We opt to be dropped by the harbour, but some passengers chose to be taken up to the abbey and bravely tackle the 198 steps back down to the town centre.

For us, it is a must to have Fish and Chips when by the coast, so we head straight to The Quayside where we know they cater for coeliacs and the food is delicious.

After lunch and some shopping in Whitby (we bought kippers to take home), we re-join Steve and the bus and set off across the moors for a short journey to Hutton le Hole passing some amazing scenery along the way.

This is a lovely "chocolate box" village with a selection of independent cafes and coffee shops, a chocolate factory and home to the Rydale Folk Museum. Our stay is only 45 minutes, so we didn't have time to visit the museum, but that gives us good reason for a return trip sometime!

We board the bus for the last time to return to York. Arriving at approximately 5.30pm.

What a wonderful day out. We seem to have done and seen so much in the time, yet never felt rushed. We would really recommend this tour.

Mountain Goat Tours operate 6 different trips out of York on different days. 

Make York your base, stay at the York Priory for a few days to allow time to check out all the sights the City has to offer, then venture further afield with a Mountain Goat Tour or two!