Westerdale

Before you go: the practical facts

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Parking

there is no National Park or North Yorkshire Council car park in Westerdale. Park considerately and never block field gates or the narrow lanes. The nearest National Park car park is at Danby Lodge (YO21 2NB).

Toilets

none that we could confirm in the village. The nearest confirmed toilets are at Danby Lodge.

Shop and cash

bring what you need. The nearest Post Office is a mobile service in Castleton on Tuesday lunchtimes.

Trains

Westerdale has no station. The nearest is Castleton Moor on the Esk Valley line, about 2 miles away.

Buses

only North Yorkshire Council's pre-booked DR10 (to Whitby) and DR18 (to Guisborough), each on alternate Thursdays. Book on 01609 767020.

Dogs

dogs are not allowed on most moorland open access land. On rights of way, use a short lead from 1 March to 31 July for ground-nesting birds and always near livestock.

A short history

Westerdale was granted to the Knights Templar, a gift King John confirmed in 1203. After the Templars were suppressed it passed to the Knights Hospitallers, then to private owners after the Reformation. In the 19th century the manor belonged to the Duncombe family, and Westerdale Hall, near the bridge, was their shooting box. Christ Church stands on a medieval site; it was rebuilt in 1838, with a chancel added in 1875, and the porch keeps three medieval grave covers and cross fragments.

Hunter's Sty Bridge

just beyond the northern end of the village, Hunter's Sty is a single-arch stone bridge over the Esk, thought to date from the late 13th century. Four ribs support the arch. It was restored in 1874, as an inscribed panel on the downstream parapet records, and it is a scheduled monument.

Walks and the source of the Esk

the National Park's Danby Dale, Blakey and Westerdale circular (15.2 miles from Castleton) crosses the high moor past Esklets, a medieval monastic sheep farm, and Fat Betty, the small white-painted cross near Rosedale Head, before dropping down Westerdale. Visit North Yorkshire notes that the Esk rises at the head of Westerdale as a series of trickling becks. This is serious moorland walking with no facilities apart from the Lion Inn at Blakey. Take a map (OS OL26) and proper kit.

Where to eat and drink

Westerdale has no pub or café that we could confirm. The closest are in Castleton: the Eskdale Inn and the Downe Arms.

Nearby

• Castleton
• Danby
• Blakey Ridge and the Lion Inn
• Glaisdale
• Parking guide

Westerdale FAQs

Where is Westerdale?

At the head of the Esk Valley, about two miles south west of Castleton.

Is there parking in Westerdale?

There is no official car park. Park considerately, or use the National Park car park at Danby Lodge.

What is Hunter's Sty Bridge?

A medieval single-arch bridge over the Esk, thought to be late 13th century, restored in 1874.

Where does the River Esk start?

On the moors at the head of Westerdale, as several small becks.

Can you get to Westerdale by train?

Not directly. The nearest station is Castleton Moor.

Sources checked 29 October 2026: Historic England list entry 1021021; Historic England list entry 1148566; British History Online, Parishes: Westerdale; National Park Esk Valley Walk; National Park car park list; National Park walking with dogs; Visit North Yorkshire, Danby Dale, Blakey and Westerdale walk; North Yorkshire Council DR10 timetable; North Yorkshire Council DR18 timetable.