BY ALLISON LEE
Goathland is a picturesque moorland village in the North Yorkshire Moors National Park. It attracts visitors from all over because it is renowned for being a filming location for ITV’s Heartbeat and the Harry Potter films.
Goathland is about nine miles from the coastal town of Whitby and roughly an hour’s drive from York. It can be reached by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, which connects the village of Goathland to both Pickering and Whitby. The line was originally opened in 1836, with the deviation line via Goathland following in 1865. The deviation line was built to bypass the steep section that normal trains struggled with.
Goathland is home to several quaint pubs and shops, including the Birch Hall Inn in Beck Hole, a short walk from Goathland and well worth a visit. Beck Hole consists of about half a dozen pretty cottages, a farm, and the Birch Hall Inn. To say the pub is small is an understatement. In fact, it is known as North Yorkshire’s smallest and quaintest, with a record of 32 people and 2 dogs crammed inside once the door was closed. The menu is small, but the atmosphere and old-fashioned vibe more than make up for it. When entering the fully stocked sweet shop next door, you feel like you are travelling back in time.
Aside from this tiny pub in Beck Hole, Goathland itself has one or two nice establishments, including The Goathland Hotel, famous as the Aidensfield Arms in the Heartbeat series, and my personal favourite, The Mallyan Spout Hotel, which offers a lovely menu and delightful rooms. Situated opposite Goathland Parish Church, the hotel takes its name from the 70ft waterfall located a short walk behind the hotel. The surrounding countryside is breathtaking, with an ever-changing landscape and wide-open green where sheep graze happily, oblivious to tourists.
Mallyan Spout Waterfall is a hidden gem loved by walkers, photographers, and nature lovers. It is the tallest waterfall in the North Yorkshire Moors, plunging around 70 feet (21 metres) down a rocky gorge. The waterfall is fed by the West Beck, a small stream that meanders through the countryside, snaking through ancient woodland. It is a joy to see whatever the season. This beautiful waterfall helped Goathland rise in popularity as a mini spa town in the 19th century, as people flocked to see the spectacle.
Goathland really does have more to offer than simply open moorland and sheep that wander aimlessly through the village as they graze on the common and answer to no one. It is well worth parking up and exploring this beautiful village and all it has to offer.
Allison Lee is a smallholder from North Yorkshire who has written for the Yorkshire Times and other publications. Her website can be accessed here.