Tucked on the edge of the North York Moors, Great Ayton is one of those villages that quietly has it all – dramatic hills, riverside greens, a genuine slice of maritime history, and independent shops to potter around.
Whether you’re planning a big day out or just fancy stretching your legs, here are six of our favourite ways to spend a day in and around the village.
Pack a sense of adventure (and maybe some sturdy boots) – and don’t forget to leave room for cake at the end.
1. Conquer Roseberry Topping, the “Yorkshire Matterhorn”
If Great Ayton has a signature view, this is it. Roseberry Topping’s distinctive half-cone shape – the result of a geological fault and a mining collapse back in 1912 – has made it one of the most recognisable landmarks in the North. It’s a modest 1,049 feet, but the reward at the top is a full 360-degree panorama across the Cleveland plain and out to the coast.
The most direct route starts from the Newton-under-Roseberry car park, around a mile and a half each way – steep near the summit, but very manageable for most walkers, and a firm favourite with families who’ve got a bit of energy to burn. It’s dog-friendly too, though the drops at the top mean lead-on is wise.
Plan your walk: National Trust – Roseberry Topping
2. Follow in Captain Cook’s footsteps to his hilltop monument
A short drive or a good stretch of the legs from the village brings you to Captain Cook’s Monument on Easby Moor – a 51-foot stone obelisk raised in 1827 to the explorer who spent his boyhood right here in Great Ayton.
Set off from the free Gribdale Gate car park for a gentle-to-moderate climb, with sweeping views across the Cleveland Hills and back towards Roseberry Topping.
Feeling energetic? The monument and Roseberry Topping can be linked into one satisfying circular loop of around seven miles – a proper day’s walking for keen families.
Plan your walk: National Trust – Roseberry Topping & Captain Cook’s Monument circular
3. Step back in time at the Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum
Right on the High Street stands the very building where a young James Cook was schooled from 1736, before he ever set eyes on the sea. Today it’s a wonderfully characterful little museum, with a reconstructed 18th-century schoolroom, interactive displays tracing his epic voyages, and a gallery on the history of the village itself. It’s compact, brilliantly run by volunteers, and there’s a lift for easy access – a lovely, low-key hour for curious minds of all ages.
The museum is open seasonally (roughly April to October), so it’s worth checking current days and times before you set off.
Find out more: Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum
4. Amble the village greens, Waterfall Park and Suggitt’s ice cream
Not every day out needs a summit. Some of the best hours in Great Ayton are spent simply wandering – along the leafy greens beside the River Leven, where the shallow, clear water is perfect for little ones to paddle, and over to the hidden gem of Waterfall Park with its picnic-friendly views.
And no visit is complete without a stop at Suggitt’s Ices, a village institution since 1921 and the sort of place people happily travel miles for. Add in a browse around the independent High Street shops and you’ve got a gloriously relaxed day, no boots required.
Discover more: Visit Great Ayton
5. Meet the herd at the Little Alpaca Company
Just up the valley near Kildale – a ten-minute drive from the village, close to Captain Cook’s Monument – you’ll find something a little different. The Little Alpaca Company is a small, welcoming farm where owner Julie runs private, pre-booked experiences with her much-loved alpacas (and a few pygmy goats for good measure).
Alpaca walks are best suited to older children and adults (walkers need to be 13+, with 8–12s coming along as non-walkers), but the gentler farm visits are wonderful for younger families – all the meeting, feeding and fussing, rounded off with tea and cake in the cosy shepherd’s hut.
Booking ahead is essential, as every session is private to your group.
Book ahead: Little Alpaca Company
6. Ride the Esk Valley Railway to Whitby and the Moors
Here’s a treat that turns the journey into the day out. Great Ayton has its own station on the scenic Esk Valley line, which winds through the heart of the Moors between Middlesbrough and the famous seaside town of Whitby. Leave the car behind, settle in, and let the landscape do the work.
For the full adventure, change at Grosmont to hop aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and its heritage steam trains – a proper storybook day out that children (and quite a few grown-ups) never forget.
Plan your journey: Esk Valley Railway
Round it all off at The Velveteen Rabbit
Every great day out deserves a great finish – and that’s where we come in. Whether you’ve conquered Roseberry Topping, wandered the greens, or hopped off the train with tired legs and happy memories, The Velveteen Rabbit Luncheon Club is the perfect spot to put your feet up. Pop in for a proper pot of tea, a slice of something homemade, or a warm, hearty lunch to celebrate your adventures.
So go on – pick your day out, make some memories, and let us take care of the best bit. We’ll pop the kettle on.
