Goathland is the Aidensfield village of 'Heartbeat' fame on the North Yorkshire Moors, only a half dozen miles from Whitby. As well as a destination for fans of the TV series and nostalgia, this is a great spot for walking the moors. Even casual walkers will enjoy the surroundings as there are a number of easy routes. A number of small shops cater for visitors with maps, walking gear, cream teas, meals and souvenirs. Sheep roam the greens. There are three hotels open to visitors and residents, plus a host of B&Bs.
We stayed at The Mallyan Spout Hotel which is the start point for an easy (though steep) circular tour of the village via the Mallyan Spout waterfall. The hotel is at the quiet end of the village opposite the church (whose clock which chimes every quarter hour), away from the Aidensfield souvenirs.
It's a really friendly, comfortable hotel with amazing food. Our front-facing double room (dormer leaded windows, very Wuthering Heights) was quite small but beautifully appointed with immaculate Laura Ashley furniture and fabrics. Wall hung flat screen TV, coffee making facilities and spotless bathroom.
We were made to feel very welcome and, although we had planned on a restaurant meal, ate in the bar each of our three evenings as the food was so good (and enormous - do not have a starter) and there were daily specials (eg duck, lamb shank, barbecued pork). Unusually, drinks - including bottles of wine - are the same price regardless of where you indulge. The barman was quite happy to offer a taste of the wines before we chose.
None of the other village hotels (including the one made famous in Heartbeat) had anything like the atmosphere.
This is the only hotel I have ever been in which manages to serve crisp toast at breakfast. The breakfast menu looks like any other but the food was the hottest I have ever had, everything clearly cooked to order and there was no problem just having a few items from the 'full English'. One unusual breakfast dish was grilled goats cheese which was delicious and quite enough by day 3!
You will never manage fish and chips in Whitby if you have a Mallyan Spout breakfast. Also close by are Eden Camp (really well done and inexpensive), Flamingoland and Castle Howard, but check opening times as the last two are seasonal. Ditto the North Yorks Moors railway which stops in the village.
In March when we stayed at the hotel there was a special offer which gave a third night free when paying for two so the package of £225 (3 nights B&B) was exceptional value. No lift and a lot of stairs to the bedrooms - this hotel after all dates from the 1890s - make it unsuitable for people with disabilities.
Pictures of Goathland, North Yorkshire
A steep walk
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