England’s Finest View Day Walk – North York Moors

Stunning views at Sutton Bank - ‘England’s Finest View’

The author and vet James Herriot proclaimed the panorama from Sutton Bank on the edge of the North York Moors to be ‘England’s Finest View’. 

It seemed a bit ludicrous then to miss out on such a glory which is why we’ve lined up this active 10-mile day walk that also includes a hidden ‘paradise’ and stunning views across to the Yorkshire Dales. 

We will meet at the North York Moors Visitor Centre at Sutton Bank where there is plenty of pay and display parking (NB: please bring change for the pay machine), toilets and a cafe if you wish to arrive early to grab a coffee.  

From the visitor centre the route soon brings us to the limestone escarpment where you realise what James Herriot was on about when you see the splendour before you – from the sheer face of the escarpment to the tree-clad slopes and the rolling fields beyond. 

Once we’ve done a bit of view-admiring we head down through lovely broad leaf woodlands to Gormire Lake, a fine stretch of open water and totally unique and out of character for this area.  

No dips today though as we press on, wandering through the valley’s rolling pastures and fields and admiring a smattering of pretty hamlets until we reach Boltby. 

From here there’s no escaping the fact that what goes down must come back up and so with that in mind, we begin a gradual ascent of the escarpment. 

Once we’re rested and refuelled we then stroll along the gentle 4-mile path on the cliff top following the Cleveland Way National Trail back to Sutton Bank visitor centre where there’s then a second chance to grab refreshments and savour a well-deserved piece of cake!