Pictures of Goathland

About Goathland

Sheep graze on the course grasses that surround the greystone houses of this straggling moorland village, and all around there are lovely walks leading past streams that ripple up and down over rocky lips and boulders before plunging as a rushing, glistening waterfall. Three such falls in the immediate vicinity are; Nelly Ayre Force, Mallyan Spout, and Thomason Force. The stout hearted rambler, willing to venture further still, will find rich rewards for there are dozens of truly magnificent falls in this great walking area.

The village of Goathland has a series of large greens, more like heathland than the usual village green. These greens break the village up, giving a pocket like appearance - houses, shops, and rows of cottages, all present an eye catching assortment of differing building styles.

Goathland is one of the few English villages that celebrate Plough Monday. This takes place on the first monday after January 6th. For centuries the following week was looked upon as farmworkers' holiday and on plough monday, local farm lads, went from door to door, dancing and fooling, dragging the plough behind them. These days, traditional sword dancers go from door to door seeking help to finance their dancing at the colourful local festivals held throughout the Summer.

The local parish Church of St. Mary was built in the last decade of the 19th-century is well worth a visit. It is a dignified building, very peaceful and unassuming. From here a well preserved stretch of Roman road can be seen to the South and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway is close-by.

Goathland is in an area of outstanding natural beauty and with so much stunning scenery to be admired and enjoyed it is hard to imagine that anyone could ask for anything more. Here in the wilds of North Yorkshire, magnificent peaks and fells are seemingly endless. But should you wish to venture a little further, the spectacular coastline of the North Sea is but a few short miles away.

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