Discover Goathland: Railway, Village History and Moorland

Goathland brings together the history of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, film connections, village architecture, traditional dance and trails through the moorland. Its themes range from specific building and local histories to nature and walking routes.

Railway and Film History

Goathland Station was used as Hogsmeade Station in the first Harry Potter film. In the ITV programme “Heartbeat,” the station was shown as Aidensfield. The two connections come from different formats: a feature film and a television programme.

The station’s history of construction is also part of its story: the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s Goods Shed at Goathland Station is a Grade II listed building. The Tea Room at the station is housed in a converted Goods Shed dating from 1922. The station therefore brings together film history and the history of railway buildings.

Village History and Architecture

A place of worship has stood at the site of today’s St Mary’s Church since Elizabethan times. The present church building was completed in 1896 and designed by Walter H. Brierly of York. The site’s long religious history and the much later date of the present building represent two distinct periods.

A “Mouse Trail” sheet is available in the church, which visitors can follow as they look for mice. This connects St Mary’s local history with a specific route through the church.

Another architectural highlight is the group comprising Brereton House, Brereton Cottage and Brereton Corner. Together, the three buildings form an important surviving example of a traditional moorland longhouse in the North York Moors. Brereton Cottages are Grade II* listed and are of national significance. They stand at Goathland’s main crossroads, overlooking the historic village green and the Second World War memorial. The longhouse’s significance lies in the way the buildings work together; the Grade II* designation applies to Brereton Cottages.

The Plough Stots Tradition

The Goathland Plough Stots are a traditional long-sword dance team. Their own dance has been performed since the early 19th century. The team itself was revived in 1922 and first performed in January 1923. These dates describe different stages of the history: the earlier dance tradition and the later revival of the team.

An exhibition of Goathland Plough Stots dance memorabilia is housed in the village Reading Room. Alongside the performance tradition, keepsakes are also a focus of the local dance history.

Moorland, Nature and Trails

The Fen Bog nature reserve near White Way Heads in Goathland combines views of the North York Moors with a diverse array of plants, insects and upland birds. The landscape experience encompasses both the views and the reserve’s flora and fauna.

The Rail Trail follows sections of the former railway line through the Esk Valley. The Mallyan Spout and Beck Hole Walk has a different route description: it is 3 miles long and starts and ends at Goathland car park.

The rocky path along West Beck to Mallyan Spout can be challenging, especially after heavy rain, when great care is advised. At Mallyan Spout, the sides of the gorge are 70 feet high and almost vertical. The terrain and weather conditions go hand in hand here: the rocky path calls for particular care, especially after heavy rain.

Getting to Goathland

Goathland can be reached from Pickering or Whitby by the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. The village offers several themes to explore when planning a trip: film and railway history at the station, the architectural history of the church and longhouse, the Plough Stots dance tradition, or the landscape and trail highlights around the Esk Valley, Fen Bog and Mallyan Spout.

Discover more destinations: Brafferton, Masham, Northallerton, Kettlewell, Burythorpe, Bedale, Burrill, Ripon.

For the broader travel overview: North Yorkshire.