Exploring the AONB

The Howardian Hills are one of North Yorkshire's best-kept secrets. There are many ways to spend an enjoyable day out, from walking through the open fields and woodlands to visiting one of the area's historic houses. This section aims to help you plan how to spend free time in the Howardian Hills, whether you are visiting from elsewhere or live locally.

Maps

The Howardian Hills AONB features on three Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps:
OS Explorer 300 - The Howardian Hills and Malton
OS Explorer 299 - Ripon and Boroughbridge
OS Explorer 26 - North York Moors Western Area
The entirety of the AONB is also included on Ordnance Survey Landranger Malton and Pickering.

The Explorer Maps are ideally suited to helping you to explore the area on foot and either scale of map is adequate to discover the AONB by bike or on horseback.

Take care to follow the map carefully and take note of any official diversions on the ground. Please keep dogs under control (and on a lead when requested to do so) and remember that footpaths are for walkers only whilst bridleways can be used by walkers, cyclists and horse-riders.

Public Transport

The nearest train stations are Malton and York.

For details of public transport in the Howardian Hills and surrounding area go to www.northyorkstravel.info

The Moorsbus - Rather than visiting the Howardian Hills in your car, have you thought about using the Moorsbus?

What to See

The Howardian Hills is an area which lends itself to be explored. Please use the buttons to the left, or look at the interactive map, to see what is on offer. The Yorkshire Tourist Board website also gives information on the Howardian Hills and other attractions in North Yorkshire.

Canoeing in the AONB

The River Derwent, which flows through the eastern edge of the AONB, is a popular focus for recreation. As well as being widely used by anglers, the river upstream from Kirkham, with the consent of riparian owners, is used by canoeists. However, the river is of such ecological value that proposals for future water recreation will be resisted. If you do wish to canoe along this stretch of the river it is essential you gain the consent of the landowners before accessing the river.