Opinions? I know it's an seaside resort. however, just for a short overnight visit I am curious as to what others thought.

Thank you

Any particular reason why you've chosen Filey? It's OK but there's far nicer places on the Yorkshire coast- Whitby, Robin Hood's Bay, Staithes?

I'd not rush to Filey either - and Bellini is spot on with the list of places above.
I'd prefer Scarborough to Filey too.

Thanks for the replies. Been to the places mentioned. Most each winter I do a rail trip and like staying a night or two at various villages and small towns. Did Bridlington last trip an found it lacking. Any other thoughts?

Another vote against Filey.

Whitby has to be one of the best little seaside villages in the UK. Fish and Chip/ Chocolate shops to beat all others, a lovely harbour and The Abbey.

Does it have to be seaside? : North Yorkshire has some lovely little villages like Helmsley.

I was about 12 years old, the last time I used British Rail and so its network is a bit of a mystery to me.

Our OP is fairly unique-- he likes more off beat/off the radar villages and towns he can reach by train. I sorta knew who posted this even before see the OPs name. Filey was the tipoff -- just the sort of place rogerdodger asks about.

rogerdodger: Having read so many of your posts in the past I think I know what you're looking for. Maybe give us a bit more to work w/ like where you will be traveling from/to w/ this stopover. And where else you've visited in the general area. I know from past threads -- you've likely visited most of the 'usual suspects'. So help us w/ a bit more info.

Okay, this is the plan so far. I dropped Filey based on what I read.
arrive Heathrow 10:30 on British Airways then train to Woodbridge. Day three, Woodbridge to Pickering. Day 5 to Skipton. Day 7 to Pateley Bridge. Day 9 to London. So I added Pickering from which I could take the local bus to see what Filey is like. Trip will be next moxt month.

No trains anywhere near Pateley these days, although you can walk along the old railway line track which is just a grassy footpath. Where are you catching the bus to Pateley from? And where will you go from Pateley?

Morgana, Bus from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge. Then on a Tuesday bus to Harrogate, train to York and then to London. Spend the night and on Wednesday flight back to San Francisco.

humptydumpty, But she does know what I like and I am grateful.

Roger, the bus ride from Harrogate to Pateley is really nice, through lots of little Nidderdale villages. I think you'll enjoy it. We are house-hunting in Pateley and the surrounding area at the moment.
There's a really interesting museum at the top of the high street that's worth an hour or so - and has quite a lot of info about the old railways that used to be in the area (up to Lofthouse and Scarhouse when they were building the dam).
www.nidderdalemuseum.com
Not sure when you are travelling, but a ride out to Scarhouse would be well worth it - magnificent place.
www.dalesbus.org/25.html
There are great walks radiating from Pateley but one of the most fascinating is up to the old lead mine workings.
http://www.walkingwiththetaxidriver....de-beck-round/
www.visitnidderdaleaonb.com/nidderdale-57

Roger, Woodbridge Station has reputedly one of the best all day breakfasts in the country, in the Whistlestop Cafe.
http://www.woodbridgestationguesthou...stop-cafe.aspx

Morgana, There is also a bus from Skipton to Pateley Bridge via Grassington. Do you know this route? Oh, this would be on a Sunday morning.

I don't know the exact route so can you let me have the link to the website you are looking at, and I'll have a look. I know the area well, but it would be helpful if I could see what villages it is going through. It's all lovely contryside though.
Grassington is more touristy than Pateley but it will be quiet in Feb.

Morgana, the bus departs 10:30 Passing through Throley, Hebben,Theaplade,Grassington (change bus) Greenhow,. I use "traveline public transport information. Thanks

Hi
I thought I knew the area well but I don't know of Throley, Hebben or Theaplade.
I know Greenhow - it's Greenhow Hill, very high village, old lead mining area again.
I am sure the bus journey will be an adventure - and I know for sure it won't be fast!

Morgana, he is probably taking the 66A Skipton - Keighley bus which has stops at "Sandy Beck Farm, Thorlby" and "Hetton Lane End, Cracoe" and at "Swindon Quarry, Threapland". Maybe with the different spelling they are recognizable?

Sorry for the confusion. ron is correct. The map showed the names I provided, however, the detail listing showed what ron mentioned.

I'm easily confused when it comes to maps!
Looks like the 66A is the Sunday/Bank Holiday service which I assume runs all year (some of the Dales buses just run through the summer months).
I know the route now - it's a little wilder and more rugged countryside than the Harrogate/Pateley route but still very attractive.
Cracoe is proper 'Calendar Girls' country (they came from nearby Rylstone) although the film showed some poetic licence in setting the filming locations elsewhere in the Dales.
From the window (right hand side of the bus) you'll see Rylstone Edge for a fair amount of the time where you'll spot (if it isn't raining) an obelisk and a cross on the top dedicated to the men who lost their lives in the two world wars. This link has a pic.
http://www.yorkshire-guide.co.uk/tho...rden-moor.aspx