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Free Things to do in Pickering
For free things to do in Pickering and budget ideas, read on for some local inspiration I’m going to share with you. This article is focused on actual ideas for being in Pickering itself. Should you be visiting the Town or staying over in one of the Hotels, Holiday Cottages, Youth Hostels, or other Pickering Accommodation.
Also, take a look at things to do in Pickering Page for more options. The Page Photo above is a nice seating area located next to Pickering Beck, at the back of the Co-op Supermarket which is just off the Ropery Car Park. It is a great place to eat some lunch and watch the ducks and birds go about their business during the nice weather.
The best place to start is with the main tourist attractions, directly in the town; The English Heritage Pickering Castle, The Pickering Church, and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway.
Pickering Tourist Attractions
North Yorkshire Moors Railway
If you would like to see the Pickering Steam trains, the good news is you do not have to purchase a ticket to do this.
When the steam trains come into the Pickering Train Station you can see (and hear) them clearly from the road (Park Road) at the bottom of the Market place in Town.
You can also access the Train station via a long ramp (Wheelchair friendly) near the crossroads or alternatively by the main entrance steps near Botham’s tea shop further up the street.
This way you can take a look around the trains and Station literally by walking in off the street. If you are after a different view, try standing on top of the Foot Bridge at the Station, when the train arrives.
Pickering Castle
To view the Pickering Castle, you can access the exterior easily and follow the path around the perimeter to get some great views of the Pickering Castle, and neighbouring woods.
It is just about buggy friendly, however, wouldn’t recommend a wheelchair (see photo of the path to the left). It’s around 15 min walk depending on your pace (Tip: For a circular route, you could walk up Burgate from the Town center, then follow the path around the Pickering Castle, and walk back down Castlegate to integrate it easily into your town visit).
You can also of course, Park at the Visitors Carpark if you go when the Castle is open (otherwise the Carpark entrance gate is shut).
Pickering Community Park
You also have the option of walking from the back of the Castle into the woods, parallel with the road that runs out of town past Pickering Train Station. There are a number of walks around Pickering Castle where the paths lead out of town through the woods (which have Jurassic origins) and back in again).
If you take the path that forks right at the back of the Castle (from the car park end at the top of the Castle), a narrow path with lots of foliage that then heads straight up hill and round a corner – this will take you to Pickering Community Park in around 5 or so mins.
The Pickering Community Park has an oval path around 1 mile long, a free outdoor Gym recently installed and also a nice enclosed play area (Wooden Castle, Zip Wire) for the Kids (free).
Pickering Church Wall Paintings
See the stunning Pickering Church wall paintings! Dating back to probably 1450. There is so much history behind the Pickering Church paintings and the Church itself to make a lovely visit.
It is believed that it is one of the most complete set of medieval wall paintings to exist.
Amazingly it was during some repair work that the paintings were discovered in around 1852! They have been restored over time and still look magnificent.
Take your loose change for the donation tin, every bit helps for the upkeep of the Church.
Pickering Walks
The Walk at the Pickering Community Park is popular with Locals, due to its flat oval gravel path, playing fields, benches and picnic tables.
It also has various woodland walks connected to it where you can access the Castle or the Town, as previously mentioned above.
If you have a map you could also walk to Pickering Scaling Dam from here, through the woods and fields, and also get close to the Pickering train track for a photo or two.
In fact, you can then walk over the track at the crossing near the dam, over to the road on the opposite side of the track, and head back into Town in a circular.
Beck Isle Museum
There is also Beck Isle Museum, which is definitely worth a look if you would like a blast back into the past. This is located just over the small humpback bridge at the bottom of Town past the Train station. I believe you can look at the shop for free. You can also picnic here in the summer in the museum garden area next to the river. Sit on the grass and enjoy watching the ducks and take in some sun.
Summary
There’s a few ideas in this article, and also some others if you take a look through the site. It’s worth knowing, that if you are staying and wanted somewhere in the center of the Town (which is near all the attractions) then check out the Best Western Pickering Hotel as the first option. Hope you enjoyed the post, let me know if you have any questions or feedback, and get in contact.