The North York Moors are one of the largest expanses of heather moorland in the United Kingdom. It covers an area of 1,436 km² (554 square miles), and it has a population of about 25,000. The North York Moors became a National Park in 1952, through the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act of 1949.

Four roads cross the moors from north to south. In the east the A171 joins Whitby and Scarborough. Further inland, the A169 runs between Pickering and Whitby. More centrally, a minor road departs from the A170 at Keldholme and passes through Castleton before joining the A171 which connects Whitby and Guisborough. The most westerly route is the B1257 connecting Helmsley to Stokesley. The A170 from Thirsk to Scarborough marks the southern boundary of the moors area.

There is an east-west main line rail link from Whitby to Middlesbrough in the north and the popular North Yorkshire Moors steam railway runs from Pickering to Grosmont with a link to Whitby. The Moorsbus Network offers an alternative way around the North York Moors, instead of using private cars.

Many visitors to the moors are engaged in outdoor pursuits, particularly walking; the parks has a network of rights-of-way almost 2300 km (1400 miles) in length, and most of the areas of open moorland will be open access under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. Popular named walks include the Cleveland Way, which circles the moors, and has a section along the coast; and the Lyke Wake Walk, which leads directly across the heart of the moors. The area also offers opportunities for cycling, mountain biking, and horse-riding. The steep escarpments that define the edges of the park on three sides are used by several gliding clubs.

The moors have not changed much in the past 50 years, and are often used as a backdrop to British television programmes and films.The series Heartbeat and the scenes of The Hogsmeade Station in the Harry Potter movies were filmed in Goathland. Dalby Forest is also host to many forms of entertainment throughout the year including outdoor concerts.
Hovingham is a large and very beautiful village and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, northern England. It is on the edge of the Howardian Hills and about 7 miles south of Kirkbymoorside, near to the city of York and the market towns of Helmsley, Pickering and Malton.

Hovingham has been home to the Worsley family since 1563. The sixth Thomas Worsley (1710-1778) designed and built the current Hovingham Hall. A unique feature of the Grade I listed building is that it is entered through a covered Riding School, once used for training horses.

The tower of the parish church of All Saints is of Saxon origin. The majority of the present church building dates back to 1860, when it was rebuilt at the expense of Marcus Worsley. An interesting feature is the large 10th-century altar cross.

York is a major tourist centre and only a short drive from Hovingham and the hotels in Yorkshire. If you are visiting for a cultural getaway or a romantic break then visit York and be inspired. Renowned for its exquisite architecture, tangle of quaint cobbled streets and the iconic York Minster, York is fast developing a flourishing, cutting-edge scene. Delve into the city’s vibrant café culture, take time out to enjoy some of the country’s most talented street entertainers or simply watch the world go by while sipping a drink by the river.

A city of contrasts and exciting discoveries, York is a place where the old encompasses the new and the commonplace meets with the unexpected. Broaden your mind with a visit to world class museums or a variety of festivals held throughout the year catering for all ages and interests.