Royal oak sounds good but don't think it skips queues. We are NT members but still queue (rarely very long) to show our tickets.

Morgana: Maybe RO was referring to the ticket queues. I think the advantage is ... will save me a little, given all the properties I plan to visit. Some are privately owned, so won't benefit me there.

Thanks for the link, sofarsogood. BTW, I'm going to follow your route -- and possibly take a slight detour north to see Muker. Looks beautiful.

if you struggle with Keighley P maybe you would like a crack at Guiseley,>

I'll take a crack

"Goose-eh-lee" ???

Nah.
Guys Lee

The Creamery in Hawes is ok for lunch, as long as you don't arrive at the same time as a coach. The advantage is obviously the cheese tasting room, so if you eat in the restaurant, leave room! There are also 2 very good pubs for food in the village, The White Hart (my favourite) and the Crown.

If you get to Muker (pronounced Mewker) take a walk through the hay meadows down to the river.

http://www.mukervillage.co.uk/index.php?id=7

On a summer's day, blooming with wildflowers, there are few finer sights.

anicecupoftea: Thanks for the pub recommendation. I'll make a note. I think I'll just do the cheese tasting, then go to the pub.

sofarsogood: I found this site last night -- almost convinced me to knock a night off Lake District and stay there a night. Still may.

Definately stay in York, there must be more to do there than just walking a desolate "field" proudly called the Moors.

I know that I would do this, but the decision is yours.

I hope you make the correct one :).

I'm loving the North Yorks Moors National Park (all 550 square miles of it) being called a 'desolate field'.
Around 25,000 people live in this field, a place of great scenic beauty and historical interest (Rievaulx, Byland, Mount Grace) as well as the wonderful North Yorks Moors Steam Railway
I'm lucky enough to live half a hour's drive away and have visited more times than I can count. I particularly love it there in the autumn when the heather is in bloom.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ac...ork-Moors.html
I still think I have only scratched the surface of all there is to see.

the name 'moors' to Americans conjers up a desolate waste land with little vegetation save moss, etc. - Kind of like the Bronte moors by Haworth but not IME the North Yorkshire Moors at all.

The North Yorks Moors Railway was a real highlight showing the beauty of this area.

forgottenlife: I've already made the change, and it felt right to do so. I had to switch to a different B&B in York, as the original one requires a 2 night minimum stay. I'll be arriving in York at noon (dropping off luggage) and then spending the entire afternoon and evening exploring the town. I also will have an entire morning to explore before setting off for Derbyshire. I think it's plenty of time for what I hope to see there.

The moors experience will be different. Lovely B&B with views of rolling hills. I need time to enjoy the tranquility. I also may do an afternoon trip to Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay from the Moors. I think I made the correct choice, having been in York before.

Morgana: Thanks for the link. I was hoping to see the heather in July, but maybe not?

PQ: I'll consider the railway excursion.

No purple heather in July I'm afraid! But beautiful all the same.
PQ - Agree the Bronte Moors (West Yorkshire) are a completely different kettle of fish, being the Pennines of course. I've been frozen through up there, and nearly blown off my feet, even in the middle of summer.

Morgana: I'm sure it will be lovely even without the blooming heather. The Bronte Moors certainly have a haunting quality. Perfect for fans of Wuthering Heights.

I've taken the Moors railway a couple of times and it is fun. But with your limited time in the area I'd maybe just see the station at Goathland and/or watch the train pass someplace along its route. The full round trip Pickering to Pickering takes almost 3 hours - though you can do shorter R-T's using other stations.

I took the bus from York to the train starting town, then the train to the other end, and then walked (buses available) to Whitby then a bus back along the scenic coast to Scarborough - rather rough looking once fancy seaside resort then train (or was it bus) back to York for a really great day out in the Moors!

janisj. i plan to wing it once I arrive at my B&B. Ian, the host, said he would come up with plenty for me to do that day. Depending on what he recommends, I "may" drive over to Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay, and stop by one of the steam train stations on the way back.

Anyone here done the walk to Top Withins (Wuthering Heights -- near Haworth) ? I'm thinking of booking a private guide, but wondering if I can find it just as well on my own. When I did it in '88 I was with a literary group. Seems like it was several hours walk across the moors.

PQ: That's a lot of public trans travel for one long day drip -- but good for you!

I did the walk but it was AGES ago (decades) so don't remember all the details. As I recall it wasn't at all hard to stay on the route. I'm pretty sure I walked from Stanbury (just up the road from Haworth). It was generally an easy walk w/ some steepish bits w/ either stairs or steps . . .

It definitely didn't take all day - I'm guessing it took me maybe 90 minutes round trip from Stanbury. It would be longer from Haworth - maybe 2 or 3 hours??

Thanks, Janis. I'm thinking I'll just try to do it on my own. After all, I will have that expensive rental car. I found a map online which shows a car park near the trailhead. If it's raining that day I may just find some things to do in town instead.