Discover Kirkbymoorside

Kirkbymoorside lies between the Howardian Hills and the North York Moors. In the town, a protected town centre, a weekly market, All Saints’ Church and the remains of a late medieval hunting lodge sit alongside access to Manor Vale Woodland. This gives your stay several distinct focal points: local and market history, church events, or peaceful relaxation in the woods. The day of the week and the activities you have in mind can help you weigh up these options for your visit.

Market and events

A market is held every Wednesday in the cobbled Market Place. Its tradition dates back to the granting of the Market Charter in 1254. A stay that includes a market visit is therefore tied to a specific day of the week: plan to be there on a Wednesday. The square combines a historical connection with a regular occasion to plan your visit around the weekly calendar.

All Saints’ Church is open for prayer during the day every day and also hosts secular events throughout the year. The programme of individual events may vary, so check the latest details if you are planning for a specific date. This means there are two different reasons to visit: daily access for prayer during the day and events, each with its own date. The Kirkbymoorside Gateway to the Moors Music Festival is another specific event: it was held for the second time in 2026 over the Yorkshire Day weekend. If you would like to plan a future stay around the festival, check the dates for the relevant year.

Townscape and medieval history

Kirkbymoorside town centre is protected as a Conservation Area. Neville Castle, on the north side of Kirkbymoorside, offers a different perspective on the town’s history. The Scheduled Monument includes visible and buried remains of a late medieval hunting lodge. The two designations have different scopes: the Conservation Area covers the town centre as a whole, while Neville Castle is a specific archaeological site whose remains are interpreted as a hunting lodge. If you are interested in the town’s history, you can distinguish the broader protection of the town centre from this named monument.

Manor Vale Woodland and nature

Manor Vale Woodland offers free public access for quiet recreation. You can reach it via the bridleway from Castlegate and Manor Vale Lane, and via the public footpath from Gillamoor Road. Path conditions can change seasonally, so check them before your visit. Manor Vale Wood is managed as a wildlife habitat. This brings together two aspects of this area: public recreation and the care of a wildlife habitat. The woodland complements the historic sites and events with another way to spend time in Kirkbymoorside.

Getting there and choosing a hotel

Kirkbymoorside can be reached via a junction at a roundabout on the A170. This information about the road can help with your travel planning; the specific route depends on your starting point. When choosing a hotel, you can take the focus of your stay into account. Then compare the details of the specific options when deciding where to stay.

Discover more destinations: Ingleton, Bolton Abbey, Oulston, Thirsk, Cloughton, Scotch Corner, Bentham, Crathorne

Return to the main travel overview: North Yorkshire.