Attractions and Places To See around Gillamoor - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Gillamoor include a variety of historical landmarks and natural features. Situated on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, the village provides access to diverse landscapes and regional highlights. Visitors can explore ancient ruins, industrial heritage sites, and picturesque villages. The area offers a blend of cultural significance and scenic beauty.
Best attractions and places to see around Gillamoor
- The most popular attractions is Rievaulx Abbey, a historical site that features extensive ruins of what was once one of the grandest Cistercian abbeys in England. In the 1200s, more than 600 monks lived here.
- Another must-see spot is Bank Top Iron Kilns, a historical site. These crumbling kilns, chimneys, and other ruins are a testament to the 19th-century iron industry in the Rosedale area.
- Visitors also love Hutton-le-Hole Village Green and Stream, a settlement often considered one of the prettiest villages in the North York Moors National Park. It features a unique village green with a stream running through it and offers access to the moorlands.
- Gillamoor is known for its historical sites, natural viewpoints, and charming villages. The area offers a mix of historical landmarks, natural viewpoints, and picturesque villages to see and explore.
- The attractions around Gillamoor are appreciated by the komoot community, with more than 160 upvotes and over 140 photos shared.
Last updated: May 6, 2026
Rievaulx Abbey
Highlight • Historical Site
You have to pay to enter but there's a cafe that can be visited for free and, naturally, the view of the ruins doesn't cost anything from the road. If you park at Helmsley, there's a beautiful walk here along the Cleveland Way.
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Bank Top Iron Kilns
Highlight • Historical Site
Bank Top was where all the ironstone came for processing and transport. There would have been a railway, processing works, houses, plus more at this spot in the mid-19th century. Today, the crumbling kilns, chimneys and other ruins here are testament to a bygone industry. You get some breathtaking views at Bank Top, too.
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Hutton-le-Hole Village Green and Stream
Highlight • Settlement
The tree in the rather unusual green in the middle of the village (with a stream running through it!) has a bench under it, and it's a lovely place to sit if you're taking a break here.
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Ana Cross
Highlight • Monument
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Helmsley — Market Town
Highlight • Monument
Helmsley offers plenty to do and see. You could visit the imposing Helmsley Castle, a magnificent medieval fortress that offers a glimpse into the town's past, wander through the vibrant Helmsley Walled Garden, or take a leisurely stroll through the bustling streets.
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Tips from the Community
The A170 is a busy road so if cycling try to minimise the distance you have to ride along it
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"Each of these crosses can tell its own story and what motivated people to erect "their" cross at this spot. (...) These wayside crosses were erected as visible signs and attract the attention of many people. The cross is a symbol of life. It stands as a sign of our Christian hope and aims to direct our gaze to Jesus Christ, who has overcome death (...). The cross is a part of our lives, just as it was a part of the life of Jesus. So I hope that many people... will seek out the wayside crosses, whether as places of silence and respite before God, or as places of community gathering, prayer, and praise." (Source: Dean Rainald M. Ollig in: "Wayside Crosses... Small Sacred Monuments as Signs of Popular Piety")
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Apparently regarded by the Victorians as "ill-planned and untidy", but now quite possibly one the most picturesque Moors villages, Hutton-le-Hole is a very popular starting point for hikes. Fairly sizeable car park just on the eastern side of the village off the road to Lastingham. Lots more info available at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hutton-le-Hole, https://www.yorkshire.com/hutton-le-hole/?srsltid=AfmBOoqlQxZoMrKrxFTMhz3S7ZTijB3NKHNKMKO3WYru-vDGGmjNYk2Q, https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/places-to-go/hutton-le-hole-lastingham-appleton-le-moors
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Photographer @Jessica Mather had the misfortune of not being able to enjoy the view offered by the ANA CROSS site during her run here due to the weather conditions. However, more than two dozen photos of the small sacred monument and the panorama offered by the prominent location can be seen on the hiking highlight of the same name =>> https://www.komoot.com/de-de/highlight/2252418
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Highest cross on the moors, great views across Spaunton Moor when the weather allows.
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Interesting for their sheer size alone, the old remains of the abbey also have an air of transience about them. Only the sometimes horrendous entrance fees prevent people from taking a closer look at the remains of the walls. It would certainly have been interesting.
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A beautiful abbey ruin, easily accessible on a walk from Helmsley.
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Picturesque, but then many of the tracks and lanes all around this area are too. The area is well served by public rights of way - check out the North Yorks Council map and explore!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical sites can I explore near Gillamoor?
The area around Gillamoor is rich in history. You can visit the extensive ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, once one of England's grandest Cistercian abbeys. Another significant historical site is the Bank Top Iron Kilns, which offer a glimpse into the 19th-century iron industry. Additionally, the nearby market town of Helmsley features a historic castle with a rich past.
Are there natural viewpoints or scenic spots around Gillamoor?
Yes, Gillamoor is renowned for its 'Surprise View,' offering an enchanting panorama of the eastern entrance to Farndale and dramatic views of the moors and vales. You can also find breathtaking views from the Bank Top Iron Kilns. The village of Hutton-le-Hole, with its unique village green and stream, is considered one of the prettiest in the North York Moors National Park and provides access to scenic moorlands.
What outdoor activities are available for cyclists near Gillamoor?
Gillamoor is an excellent base for cycling. For gravel biking, you can explore routes like the 'Hutton-le-Hole village – Blakey Bank Summit loop' or the 'Rievaulx Abbey – Helmsley Castle loop.' Road cyclists can enjoy routes such as the 'North York Moors Cycleway: 4a Hutton le Hole to Helmsley' or the 'Spaunton Manor Circuit.' You can find more details and routes in the Gravel biking around Gillamoor and Road Cycling Routes around Gillamoor guides.
Can I find family-friendly attractions in the Gillamoor area?
Absolutely. The village of Hutton-le-Hole is very family-friendly, with its stream running through the village green and easy access to moorlands. The Ryedale Folk Museum, located in Hutton-le-Hole, offers a fascinating insight into rural life with historic buildings and objects, making it an engaging experience for all ages. Many of the easy hiking trails are also suitable for families.
Where can I experience local village life and culture?
Gillamoor itself offers a glimpse into tranquil village life with St. Aidan's Church, a historic sundial, and the Royal Oak Inn, a stone-built pub dating back to the mid-seventeenth century. The nearby village of Hutton-le-Hole is often considered one of the prettiest in the North York Moors, featuring a unique village green and the Ryedale Folk Museum.
Are there easy walking trails suitable for all abilities near Gillamoor?
Yes, there are several easy hiking trails around Gillamoor. Options include loops around Hutton-le-Hole village, such as the 'Hutton-le-Hole village – Lastingham Knoll loop' or the 'Hutton-le-Hole village – Victoria Cross Viewpoint loop.' These trails typically range from 4 to 7 kilometers and are rated as easy. You can find more details in the Easy hikes around Gillamoor guide.
What is the best time of year to visit Gillamoor for outdoor activities?
The North York Moors, including the Gillamoor area, are beautiful year-round. Spring is particularly popular for visiting Farndale, known as the 'Daffodil Valley,' when its riverside paths are adorned with daffodils. Summer offers vibrant heather blooms on the moors, making it ideal for walking and enjoying the views. Autumn brings stunning foliage, while winter can offer crisp, quiet walks, though some paths may be more challenging.
Are there any unique historical landmarks within Gillamoor village itself?
Within Gillamoor, you can find St. Aidan's Church, an attractive village church with elements from an earlier structure dating back to 1682. In the village center, there's also an unusual and complex four-faced sundial, a Grade II listed structure erected in 1800. The site of Gillamoor Mill, mentioned in a King John charter from 1206, also holds historical significance.
What are some less crowded attractions or hidden gems near Gillamoor?
While popular sites like Rievaulx Abbey can attract crowds, exploring the smaller villages like Gillamoor itself or nearby Nunnington, home to Nunnington Hall (a National Trust property), can offer a quieter experience. The Ana Cross, marking a prehistoric burial mound and a medieval wayside cross, offers lovely views over the moors and is often less frequented than major attractions.
Where can I find places to eat or stay in and around Gillamoor?
Gillamoor is home to the Royal Oak Inn, a historic pub dating back to the mid-seventeenth century, offering a traditional atmosphere with open log fires. The nearby village of Hutton-le-Hole also has a good pub. For a wider selection of cafes, pubs, and accommodation, the market town of Helmsley is a short distance away and offers many options.
What kind of wildlife can I spot in the Gillamoor area?
Being on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, the Gillamoor area is rich in wildlife. You can often spot various bird species, including raptors over the moors. Deer, foxes, and smaller mammals are also present. In spring, Farndale is famous for its wild daffodils, creating a spectacular natural display.
Most popular attractions around Gillamoor
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