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Local Area

Fridaythorpe

The hamlet of Fridaythorpe is located eight miles from the market town of Pocklington on the A166 York to Bridlington road. It’s nestled in the heart of the Yorkshire Wolds, a range of rolling hills and valleys known for its distinctive chalk landscape, which has been shaped by erosion over thousands of years.

At 550-feet above sea level, Fridaythorpe is the highest village in the Yorkshire Wolds and also the mid-way point on the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail, a 79-mile (127-kilometre) National Trail that starts at Hessle in East Yorkshire and ends at Filey on the North Yorkshire coast. An extensive choice of cycle routes enables visitors to explore the Yorkshire Wolds by bike too, with several passing through or close to Fridaythorpe, including the Thixendale Hills Taster Ride and the Hockney Trail, which takes in some of the spectacular scenery made famous by the celebrated artist David Hockney.

Fridaythorpe is widely considered to be the best place to explore the network of dry valleys, known locally as ‘dales’ or ‘slacks’, that run through the Yorkshire Wolds plateau. Meanwhile, St. Mary’s Church in Fridaythorpe is a key stop on the Sykes Churches Trail.

Within the village, there’s a filling station and convenience store where visitors can top up with fuel and buy basic supplies.

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Exploring the Yorkshire Wolds

With its unique landscapes and rich history, the Yorkshire Wolds is often described as a hidden gem. As well as rolling hills and tranquil valleys, it includes many charming villages and quaint market towns. There’s also a host of nearby attractions to enjoy. Here are a few of our favourites:

  • Visit the gallery of the leading wildlife artist Robert Fuller in the nearby village of Thixendale.
  • Explore Sledmere House, a historic country house with extensive grounds, a rare breed conservation farm park, a museum and more.
  • Enjoy a train ride on the Yorkshire Wolds Railway, which is located just outside the village of Wetwang off the A166 and is East Yorkshire’s only heritage railway.
  • Visit Burnby Hall and Gardens, just outside Pocklington, which is home to the National Collection of more than 80 different types of Water Lilies and stages a series of events throughout the year, including a spectacular Tulip Festival in the spring.
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Venturing further afield

If you choose to venture just beyond the Yorkshire Wolds, the popular seaside towns of Bridlington, Filey, Scarborough and Whitby are all within easy reach, as are the dramatic landscapes of the North York Moors, which are often referred to as ‘Heartbeat country’ after the long-running television series that was filmed there. The wealth of attractions to be found in the historic city of York are all less than an hour away.

Popular places to visit include the Castle Howard estate north of York; RSPB Bempton Cliffs near Bridlington, which is home to half a million seabirds; the racecourses at York and Beverley; York’s city centre for its awe-inspiring Minster and fantastic choice of museums; and Eden Camp near Malton and Flamingo Land near Pickering, which are both hugely popular among families visiting the area.

Local Area