Beck Hole, near Goathland, North York Moors, North Yorkshire

Beck Hole

Historic village

Place photograph

7.3

Wildland

1–2 hours

Time

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Cost

Peaceful

Feel

ValleyRemote countrysideVillageWalkersHistory loversPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

7.3

A secluded valley hamlet whose story stretches from a 13th-century settlement to an old railway corridor—and a local legend about a dragon-like worm said to haunt the surrounding forest.

Beck Hole earns its place through atmosphere and layers of story rather than size: a quiet valley setting, a historic inn, nearby woodland waterfall paths and the old railway route make it a rewarding stop on foot.

Peaceful · Secluded · Atmospheric · Ancient-feeling

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Beck Hole, near Goathland, North York Moors, North Yorkshire

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The experience

Use Beck Hole as the atmospheric centrepiece of a walk, not a checklist village. Pair the hamlet with the woodland valley and waterfall route, taking care on steep, slippery sections.

Things to do

Walk the Mallyan Spout and Beck Hole circuit

A circular route from Goathland linking the wooded valley, Mallyan Spout, Beck Hole and a section of the old railway. It includes climbs, steps and rocky ground that can be slippery.

About 2 hours 15 minutes according to the cited route length and pace estimate; allow longer for stops.

See the bridge across Eller Beck

The bridge is identified in the Beck Hole village history source as a local point of interest. Take time to notice the beck and the valley setting.

Explore the old railway corridor

A heritage trail along the old railway is described between the Goathland and Grosmont directions; the railway also features on the cited circular route.

Visit Birch Hall Inn

A historic inn in the village, described by the supplied guide as having two small bars and a three-flagstone sweet shop. Check opening and current facilities before making it part of your plans.

Around 75 minutes, editorial estimate from the supplied guide.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Allow around 1–2 hours; exact timing depends on the walk chosen.

Quick escape: Beck Hole and the beck

01
Reach Beck Hole by the steep lane or as part of a route from Goathland.
02
Explore the hamlet and look for the bridge across Eller Beck.
03
If continuing on foot, choose a suitable section of the valley path and take care on slippery ground.

Half day · Around 3–4 hours, allowing time for the walk and stops; this is an itinerary estimate.

Make a half day of it: waterfall and railway valley

01
Start in Goathland and follow the promoted Mallyan Spout and Beck Hole circular route.
02
Visit Beck Hole and pause at the bridge over Eller Beck.
03
Continue to Mallyan Spout if conditions and footing are suitable; the route includes steps and slippery rocky sections.
04
Return to Goathland and consider Birch Hall Inn, checking its current opening and food offer first.

Verified history

The supplied history source dates Beck Hole’s settlement to the 13th century, when the King’s Foresters cleared high moorland in the Forest of Pickering for smallholdings. It says the settlement gradually spread into the valley and that only one farm was recorded in 1572. The source also identifies Birch Hall Inn as dating to the 17th century. The old railway corridor is part of the area’s later transport heritage, though the supplied extracts do not give its construction dates.

Folklore & legend

Local legend tells of the Beck Hole Worm, a dragon-like creature said to have lived in the forest around Beck Hole and Goathland when Danes held northern England. In the tale, a Danish knight named Roland slew it after a battle lasting a day and a half. This is folklore, not verified history.

Hidden details

The village’s slow beginnings — The history source says that although Beck Hole’s settlement dates to the 13th century, only one farm was recorded there in 1572—a useful detail to keep in mind when looking at the small scale of the hamlet.

The Beck Hole Worm legend — Look beyond the landscape to the local tale of a worm as long as 27 men laid head to toe, said to smell of wild garlic. Treat it as legend rather than a historical account.

When to go

· A clear, dry day; avoid assuming the rocky waterfall section will be safe after rain.

The sources describe the route and its slippery steps and rocks but do not identify a verified seasonal highlight.

Paths, steps and rocks can be slippery after rain. Wear suitable footwear and check current route conditions.

The route

ascent: 433 ft
stiles: No stiles; a few gates.
surface: Includes steps and rocky sections; paths can be slippery and muddy.
distance: 2.7 miles
duration: Not stated as a route duration in the supplied AllTrails excerpt; 2.7 miles and 433 ft elevation gain are listed.
difficulty: Moderate
waymarking: Reviewers mention well-marked trails; verify current waymarking on the ground.
route shape: Loop
start point: Goathland
parking start: Goathland car park; toilets are reported alongside it. Check current parking details.

Mallyan Spout waterfall
Beck Hole
West Beck valley
Old railway section

Worth pairing with

Goathland

Use Goathland as the start and finish for the promoted circular route through Beck Hole and Mallyan Spout; the supplied guide also identifies St Mary’s Church there.

Mallyan Spout

A waterfall included on the circular walk linking Goathland and Beck Hole. The approach involves rocky, potentially slippery ground.

Birch Hall Inn

A historic village inn that can provide a characterful stop; verify opening and current food details before relying on it.

What to look for

Notice the village’s steep-lane setting, the bridge across Eller Beck and the old railway corridor on the walking routes. The Beck Hole Worm belongs to local legend, not verified history.

The story

13th-century settlement; historic inn; railway and industrial heritage; local legend

Best time to go

Spring to autumn for walking; check conditions before visiting, as paths and steps can be slippery after rain.

Choose a clear, dry day for the steep and rocky walking sections. Check conditions after rain, when paths and steps can be slippery.

How long to spend

1–2 hours

Perfect for

Walkers · History lovers · Photographers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Whitby YO22 5LF

Practical information

Opening & access

A small village reached by a steep lane. A promoted circular walk from Goathland passes through Beck Hole; check current route conditions before setting out.

Check before visiting

Parking

The cited circular walk starts and finishes at Goathland car park. Check local parking arrangements before visiting Beck Hole itself.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Toilets are reported alongside the Goathland car park at the start of the cited circular walk; check current availability.

Check before visiting

Food & drink

The Travel Fox describes Birch Hall Inn as serving a short cold-food offer and real ales; check opening and current details before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check current route guidance and local signage before visiting; the cited route shares some paths with sheep.