# Stokesley Staycation Guide — Where to Stay & What to Do > A Georgian market town on the River Leven, gateway to the North York Moors, with hotels, camping and glamping nearby. Source: https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley (Staycation.co.uk). Cite the source page, not this text version. A Georgian market town on the edge of the North York Moors Photo © Kelvin Fagan, Google Maps [Guide](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley) [🏨 Hotels](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/hotels) [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/cottages) [⛺ Camping](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/camping) [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/attractions) [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/restaurants) Stokesley sits where the North York Moors give way to the Tees Valley, its Georgian high street curving gently around the River Leven as it slips beneath the old Pack Horse Bridge. It is the kind of small North Yorkshire town that rarely shouts about itself, yet its broad, tree-lined main street, lined with 18th and 19th-century townhouses and around eighty listed buildings, has quietly made it one of the most attractive market towns in the Hambleton district. A settlement has existed here since before the Domesday survey, and Stokesley has held a market charter since 1223, granted by Henry III. That Friday market still runs today, spilling stalls out around the town hall and the old Shambles. Beyond the town, the ground rises steadily towards Captain Cook's Monument and Roseberry Topping, giving Stokesley a genuinely useful position for anyone planning to split their time between gentle riverside strolls and proper moorland walking. ## Getting to Stokesley Stokesley lies just off the A172, about ten miles south of Middlesbrough and a similar distance north-west of Great Ayton and the edge of the North York Moors National Park. The A19 passes a few miles to the west, giving reasonably quick access from Teesside, County Durham and, further south, York. Darlington and Teesside International (Durham Tees Valley) are the nearest airports, both under half an hour's drive away. By train, the closest mainline stations are Great Ayton and Battersby, on the Esk Valley line between Middlesbrough and Whitby, with Stokesley itself reachable in a few minutes by taxi or a pleasant riverside walk. Middlesbrough station, on the main line network, has more frequent services. Local buses connect Stokesley with Middlesbrough, Great Ayton and Northallerton, though a car makes it far easier to explore the surrounding moors and villages at your own pace. ## Best time to visit Stokesley Late spring through early autumn is the most rewarding window, when the moors above the town are at their best, from fresh green bracken in May to purple heather across Urra Moor and the wider North York Moors by August. Summer weekends bring the Friday market to life alongside outdoor seating along the high street, and the Stokesley Agricultural Show in September is one of the town's biggest dates, drawing visitors from across the region. Winter has its own quieter charm, with log fires in the town's pubs and frost on the riverbank by the Pack Horse Bridge, though some walking routes onto the higher moors are best avoided in poor weather. Spring is a good time for wildlife along the Leven, while autumn brings colour to the wooded stretches around Great Ayton and the Cleveland Hills. ## Where to stay in Stokesley(1) [All hotels in Stokesley →](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/hotels) About staying in Stokesley Stokesley is not a town of big hotel chains, and that is part of its appeal. What you will find instead is a small cluster of traditional coaching inns and pubs with rooms along or just off the Georgian high street, many occupying buildings centuries old, with the River Leven and Pack Horse Bridge a short stroll away. These make an easy, walkable base for exploring the town's market, church and riverside paths without needing a car for the evening. For a wider range of hotels, from budget chains to country house options, the surrounding area offers plenty of choice. Great Ayton, Northallerton and the Teesside towns of Middlesbrough and Yarm are all within a twenty-minute drive and have a broader spread of accommodation, while the fringes of the North York Moors National Park to the south are well served by country inns and boutique stays that suit visitors planning to spend most of their time walking or exploring the moors. Whichever base you choose, Stokesley's position just off the A172 makes day trips into the town, or further afield to Whitby, Helmsley and the coast, straightforward. Booking ahead is worth doing around the Stokesley Agricultural Show in September and during the main summer season, when rooms in the town itself are limited and can fill quickly. Outside of these peaks, availability is generally good, and staying centrally means you are within a few minutes of the Friday market, the town's pubs and cafés, and the start of several riverside and moorland walking routes. [OYO The Leven 27 High Street, Stokesley](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/hotels/oyo-the-leven) [Wainstones Hotel High Street, Middlesbrough](https://staycation.co.uk/middlesbrough/hotels/wainstones-hotel) [Mill Farm B&B Mill Farm, Great Ayton](https://staycation.co.uk/great-ayton/hotels/mill-farm-b-b) [The Treebridge Hotel Old Nunthorpe Village, Middlesbrough](https://staycation.co.uk/middlesbrough/hotels/the-treebridge-hotel) [Royal Oak Hotel 123 High Street, Great Ayton](https://staycation.co.uk/great-ayton/hotels/royal-oak-hotel) [Brass Castle Country House Accommodation Brass Castle Lane, Middlesbrough](https://staycation.co.uk/middlesbrough/hotels/brass-castle-country-house-accommodation) [The Kings Head Inn Newton Under Roseberry, Middlesbrough](https://staycation.co.uk/middlesbrough/hotels/the-kings-head-inn) [Tomahawk Steakhouse Potto 2 Cooper Lane, Potto](https://staycation.co.uk/potto/hotels/tomahawk-steakhouse-potto) ## Things to Do in Stokesley [All attractions in Stokesley →](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/attractions) Top things to do in Stokesley Stokesley rewards a slow wander more than a checklist of sights, but there is plenty to anchor a visit, from riverside architecture to the moors just beyond the rooftops. - **Stokesley Pack Horse Bridge** — A narrow 17th-century stone bridge over the River Leven, once used by packhorse trains carrying goods through the town, and still one of the most photographed corners of Stokesley. - **Church of St Peter and St Paul** — A largely 19th-century rebuild on much older foundations, notable for woodwork carved by Robert Thompson, the celebrated "Mouseman of Kilburn", whose furniture carries his trademark carved mouse. - **Stokesley Town Hall** — An Italianate 19th-century civic building on the high street that still anchors the weekly Friday market, a tradition dating back to a charter of 1223. - **The River Leven walk** — A level, riverside path running behind the high street, popular for an easy stroll, feeding the ducks, or picnicking on the grass banks. - **Roseberry Topping** — The distinctive, part-collapsed hill a few miles north, often nicknamed Yorkshire's Matterhorn, with sweeping views over the Tees Valley from its summit. - **Captain Cook's Monument** — An obelisk on Easby Moor commemorating the explorer, who grew up in nearby Great Ayton, reached via a moderate moorland walk. - **Great Ayton** — A neighbouring village on the River Leven with its own Cook connections, including the schoolroom he attended, a short drive or cycle from Stokesley. - **Stokesley Agricultural Show** — Held every September, this long-running country show draws crowds of over ten thousand for livestock, produce and traditional show-ground entertainment. [Stokesley Golf Range ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/attractions/stokesley-golf-range) [Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/attractions/captain-cook-schoolroom-museum) [The Pottery Shed ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/attractions/the-pottery-shed) [Fuzzy Eds at Coulby Farm ⭐ 2.7](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/attractions/fuzzy-eds-at-coulby-farm) [Rainbow Leisure Centre, Middlesbrough ⭐ 3.9](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/attractions/rainbow-leisure-centre-middlesbrough) [Newham Grange Country Farm ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/attractions/newham-grange-country-farm) [Stewart Park ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/attractions/stewart-park) [Middlesbrough Sports Village ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/attractions/middlesbrough-sports-village) ## Where to Eat in Stokesley(16) [All restaurants in Stokesley →](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/restaurants) About eating out in Stokesley Stokesley is a Georgian market town on the River Leven, positioned close to the North York Moors. We list 16 restaurants and places to eat in the town, with 15 of them rated on Google, averaging 4.6 out of 5. Of these, 13 hold a 5 food hygiene rating. The most recommended dining options in Stokesley include The Mill, rated 4.4 out of 5 from 1062 reviews, and Uno Momento, rated 4.5 out of 5 from 800 reviews. Il Mulino scores 4.5 out of 5 from 493 reviews, while Y'Thai achieves 4.7 out of 5 from 327 reviews. Chapters Deli, Bistro And Wine Bar holds 4.3 out of 5 from 554 reviews, and The Station Coffee + Kitchen rates 4.9 out of 5 from 215 reviews. Several neighbouring towns offer additional dining options worth exploring. York, Harrogate, Middlesbrough, Scarborough, Whitby, Skipton, Redcar and Ripon each have their own separate listings of restaurants and places to eat. The town's location makes it a convenient base for visits to the North York Moors, with plenty of opportunities to combine dining with exploring the surrounding countryside and attractions in the wider area. [The Station Coffee + Kitchen ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/restaurants/the-station-coffee-kitchen) [The Bank in Stokesley ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/restaurants/the-bank-in-stokesley) [Y'Thai ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/restaurants/y-thai) [Panda Restaurant ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/restaurants/panda-restaurant) [Bexters Tea Room ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/restaurants/bexters-tea-room) [Il Mulino ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/restaurants/il-mulino) [The Truffled Hog ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/restaurants/the-truffled-hog) [Uno Momento ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/restaurants/uno-momento) ## Attractions Near Stokesley [All attractions in Stokesley →](https://staycation.co.uk/attractions) Worth the trip — within 50 miles of Stokesley. [1 mi Stokesley Golf Range Middlesbrough · ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/middlesbrough/attractions/stokesley-golf-range) [2 mi Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum Great Ayton · ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/great-ayton/attractions/captain-cook-schoolroom-museum) [2 mi The Pottery Shed Middlesbrough · ⭐ 4.9](https://staycation.co.uk/middlesbrough/attractions/the-pottery-shed) [3 mi Fuzzy Eds at Coulby Farm Middlesbrough · ⭐ 2.7](https://staycation.co.uk/middlesbrough/attractions/fuzzy-eds-at-coulby-farm) [4 mi Rainbow Leisure Centre, Middlesbrough Middlesbrough · ⭐ 3.9](https://staycation.co.uk/middlesbrough/attractions/rainbow-leisure-centre-middlesbrough) [4 mi Newham Grange Country Farm Middlesbrough · ⭐ 4.5](https://staycation.co.uk/middlesbrough/attractions/newham-grange-country-farm) [5 mi Stewart Park Middlesbrough · ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/middlesbrough/attractions/stewart-park) [5 mi Middlesbrough Sports Village Middlesbrough · ⭐ 4.4](https://staycation.co.uk/middlesbrough/attractions/middlesbrough-sports-village) ## Camping in Stokesley(2) [All campsites in Stokesley →](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/camping) About camping in Stokesley Camping around Stokesley means trading the Georgian high street for the wooded valleys and open moorland just beyond it, with the North York Moors National Park starting only a few miles to the south. As anywhere in England, wild camping without the landowner's permission is against the law, so a stay here means booking into one of the area's established sites, from small farm-based campsites to fuller-facility caravan and touring parks. Several sites within easy reach of the town combine grass touring pitches with glamping options such as pods and shepherd's huts, some with hot tubs, for those who want the setting without the tent. Further into the National Park, sites set among mature woodland or at the foot of the moors, such as those near Kildale and Osmotherley, offer a more immersive base for walkers heading up towards Captain Cook's Monument, Roseberry Topping or the wider Cleveland Way. These tend to have simpler facilities than the touring parks closer to Stokesley itself, trading amenities for quiet, dark-sky pitches under the moor's edge. Late spring to early autumn is the most comfortable season for camping here, when the moorland tracks are firmer underfoot and the heather is at its best from midsummer into early autumn. Many sites open only from Easter through to October, reflecting the exposed nature of the higher ground, though a handful of all-year sites in more sheltered valley locations do operate through winter for those prepared for colder, wetter conditions. Midweek and shoulder-season stays are usually easy to arrange, but the Stokesley Agricultural Show weekend in September and the main school holiday periods are worth booking well ahead for. For those who would rather not pitch a tent, glamping has taken hold firmly in this part of North Yorkshire, with pods, shepherd's huts and safari tents available both close to Stokesley and scattered across the moors and nearby villages such as Great Ayton and Faceby. These typically offer proper beds, heating and sometimes a private hot tub, while keeping the same rural setting and moorland views that draw campers to the area in the first place, making them a good middle ground for a first visit to the North York Moors. [Elhams Market Garden (Certified Location) ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/camping/elhams-market-garden-certified-location) [Angrove Country Park ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/camping/angrove-country-park) [Cooks View Motorhome Stop ⭐ 4.9 · from £17/night](https://staycation.co.uk/middlesbrough/camping/cooks-view-motorhome-stop) [The Jet Miners Inn Caravan And Campsite ⭐ 4.7](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/camping/the-jet-miners-inn-caravan-and-campsite) [⛺Campsite Green Bank Farm Campsite ⭐ 1.0 · from £25/night](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/camping/green-bank-farm-campsite) [Southview Farm ⭐ 4.8 · from £25/night](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/camping/southview-farm-stokesley-3) [Fletchers Farm ⭐ 4.6](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/camping/fletchers-farm) [Toft Hill Country Park ⭐ 4.8](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/camping/toft-hill-country-park) ## Self-Catering Cottages in Stokesley [All cottages in Stokesley →](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/cottages) [🏡Cottage The Ducklings Nest 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £307](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/cottages/the-ducklings-nest-syk1162723) [🏡Cottage Kestrel Cottage 2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £360](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/cottages/kestrel-cottage-syk1150138) [🏡Cottage Parva 1 bed · sleeps 2 · from £256](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/cottages/parva-syk1037087) [Roseberry View Lodge Retreat 10 cottages · from £937](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/cottages/roseberry-view-lodge-retreat-brian-clough-lodge-ukc4065) [🏡Cottage Riverside Chapel 3 bed · sleeps 6 · from £494](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/cottages/riverside-chapel-syk1118016) [Moor View Lodges 2 cottages · from £972](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/cottages/moor-view-lodges-roseberry-topping-uk42937) [Cleveland View Cottages 2 cottages · from £503](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/cottages/cleveland-view-cottages-betty-s-byre-cc233103) [Postman’s Lodge 2 bed · sleeps 4 · from £560](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire/cottages/postman-s-lodge-syk1179970) ## Common questions about Stokesley How many campsites are there in Stokesley? We list 2 campsites in and around Stokesley, of which 2 take tents and 1 offer glamping. Are there dog-friendly campsites in Stokesley? Yes — 1 of the 2 campsites we list in Stokesley accept dogs, including Southview Farm. Which campsites in Stokesley have electric hook-up? 1 of the 2 campsites we list in Stokesley offer an electric hook-up. Where can I stay in Stokesley? We list 1 hotels, B&Bs and guest houses in and around Stokesley. Where can I eat in Stokesley? We list 16 restaurants, pubs and cafes in and around Stokesley. ### 🏨 Find Hotels in Stokesley Search hotels, B&Bs and self-catering on Booking.com. [Search Accommodation →](https://www.anrdoezrs.net/click-101762279-15734754?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.booking.com%2Fsearchresults.en-gb.html%3Fss%3DStokesley%252C%2BUnited%2BKingdom) Affiliate link ### Explore Stokesley - [🏨 Hotels & B&Bs](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/hotels) - [🏡 Cottages](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/cottages) - [⛺ Campsites & glamping](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/camping) - [🎟️ Attractions](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/attractions) - [🍽️ Restaurants](https://staycation.co.uk/stokesley/restaurants) - [🗺️ More in North Yorkshire](https://staycation.co.uk/north-yorkshire) - [🧭 All of the Yorkshire and the Humber](https://staycation.co.uk/regions/yorkshire-and-the-humber) ## Staycation ideas for Stokesley [All staycation ideas →](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas) [The Best Last-Minute UK Staycations Six well-connected UK towns and cities worth booking at short notice, chosen for easy travel and a decent spread of accommodation once the school-holiday crowds have thinned.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/best-last-minute-staycations) [Rainy Day Staycations: Best UK Breaks for Bad Weather When the forecast turns grim, these UK cities and spa towns keep their appeal indoors, with museums, galleries and grand architecture to fill a wet weekend.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/rainy-day-staycations-uk) [The Best Dog-Friendly Staycations in Britain From Cornish coast paths to Lake District fells, these six British destinations offer the open beaches, moors and forests that make a staycation genuinely enjoyable for dogs and their owners alike.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/dog-friendly-staycations) [The Best UK Staycations for Families with Young Kids From New Forest ponies to Cornish rock pools, these six UK destinations combine easy logistics, safe beaches and family-friendly attractions for a stress-free break with young children.](https://staycation.co.uk/staycation-ideas/best-staycations-for-families)