BOASTING an historic railway in its centre, Pickering is the town that offers a unique experience from the get-go.
Travelling into the town is like stepping back in time.
Historic buildings surround you, with traditional and modern business blending as one – showing how the town has always been and where it is heading.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway provides the perfect segway into the heart of the town.
Despite it being out of season when we visited, the history that the railway brings still resonates, with many passers-by stopping for a look inside.
This history resonates across the road at Elizabeth Bootham’s Tea Rooms.
Set in the forties, staff at the tea rooms dock dresses and pinny, with customers filling the premises when we passed.
Continuing along Park Street, you come to a cross roads where the Old Hall sits - and a bridge alongside offers a picture perfect view of the River Beck.
Inside the Old Hall is Beckside Gifts, where manager, Judy Davison, provides a warm welcome.
Judy said the gift shop is a hit with tourists in the summer, and locals too who visit all year round.
She described the shop’s offering as “a bit quirky” and spoke fondly of Pickering, describing it as a “friendly town”.
“Everyone knows each other and looks out for each other,” she said.
Also in the Old Hall is zero waste shop The Old Weigh, which allows customers to shop in an environmentally way - cutting down on single use packaging, and only buying the amount of ingredients required.
Toni Pape-Hodgson, from the shop, said The Old Weigh, has a “good selection of customers”.
“People see us as being a community hub,” said Toni.
Customers return to do their weekly shopping and enjoy the shop’s local offering.
The shop also offers recipe packs providing customers with everything they need to get cooking – when we visited a vegan treacle cake was on the menu.
Of the town, Toni said: “I have lived in Pickering all my life. It’s an amazing place to be.
“(There are) lots of lovely shops and (there is) a lovely community.”
Someone who shares this view is, Carrie Brackstone, operations manager, at Pickering Town Community Interest Company, and also the person behind Visit Pickering.
“Everyone that comes to the town always comments on how friendly the people are,” said Carrie.
“I have lived here on and off for 44 years. I don’t go on holiday – living in Pickering is like being on holiday.”
Crossing over to Market Place, businesses line each side of the street.
Country Crust, sandwich shop and café, proved a hit when we visited - with customers filling the shop.
A modern wine bar, Number Four, sits further up the road, alongside the White Swan - both offering the perfect pit stop for those visiting.
At the top of the hill you will find, Pickering Antiques, offering a huge range of antiques, collectables, and rare finds.
Owner, Mark Witherington, opened the store just over two years ago during the pandemic which he described as “risky”.
Speaking about the business now, Mark said: “We do okay. It’s been a long, hard winter - and we’re feeling the effects of the economy.
“We’re non-essential so it’s difficult.”
He added that the business feels a “big effect” when the railway is not running and has felt the blow of events such as the Pickering 40s and 60s weekends being cancelled in recent year.
“(There is) a general consensus that Pickering is falling behind,” he said.
“Before it gets any worse, we need to inject some more enthusiasm to get Pickering back on the map - or else people will be affected.”
On the other hand, he said Pickering is “a fantastic town” and that he has “friendly fellow retailers”.
Mark explained that he tries to work together with all the business in the town - not over stocking on items if another store already offers it.
He described this as “everyone getting a slice of the cake”.
Giving an example, Mark said the town already has a jeweller, A. Walsh, so he takes care to compliment their offering.
The jeweller, owned by Anthony Walsh, has been in Pickering for nine years, but Anthony has long been in the industry.
“People come from all over,” he said.
In addition to selling jewellery, the shop offers repairs and free expert advice.
“I try to offer a service to our people,” Anthony said.
“Customers can ask me anything.”
He described Pickering as a “nice friendly little market town”.
“It’s compact,” he said.
“Everything you need is here.”
Along from the jeweller is The Pet Store, which has been a pet store for around 50 years.
Matthew Dunn, who co-owns the shop with Kay Halliwell, said that he enjoys being in the town.
“People are friendly, and the other shops have everything I need,” he said.
More town staples sit across the road.
D.J Horsley Butchers has been in Pickering for 40 years.
Manager Graham Jackson has worked at the butchers for 15 years, and said the products are as local to the town as they can be.
He said: “Pickering is a fantastic town and I think people are lucky to live here or work here.”
Alongside the butchers is Taylor’s of Pickering greengrocer, which has been in the town for over 60 years.
Owner, Peter Taylor, said he was “born and bred” in Pickering and has “always liked the rural area”.
As well as offering a huge range of fruit and vegetables local to the area, the business has a wholesaler at the back of the shop and sells fish, which are smoked on the premises.
In the corner opposite D.J Horsley and Taylor’s is NOSH café – which uses the produce found at the butchers and greengrocer.
The café is relatively new to the town and was opened by the family of kitchen manager Nathan Boden in February 2021.
As this was during the pandemic, NOSH first opened as a takeaway until restrictions would allow for full table service.
“It was nice for us to be able to be here and support the people living on their own,” said Nathan.
“We got to know the locals.
“It’s a fantastic little town.”
Another business new to the town is Pickering Book Tree.
The bookshop opened in August 2022 and is a family venture by Andrew and Stephanie Bundy, and their daughter Cathy Charlton.
Since opening, Cathy said there has been a steady stream of customers – with the shop now hosting author talks and actively engaging with schools in the area to encourage reading from an early age.
Of the town, Cathy said: “It’s just a lovely place to live - it’s a really friendly place.”
Crossing to Birdgate is antiques shop, J.S.C Collectables, which has been in the town 19 years, and Birdgate Chocolatiers.
Upon entering Bird Chocolatiers an enticing, delicious smell of fresh chocolate stops you in your tracks.
The shop has been in the town for around 20 years and its counters are packed with a wide selection of chocolate treats - all hand made on the premises.
In the summer the shop’s ice cream is hugely popular, with 20 different flavours on offer.
Amanda Clifton, from the shop, said it is “incredibly” busy in the summer as tourists fill the town.
Speaking about the town, she said: “You can’t get anything better than Pickering.”
Birdgate is also home to the Black Swan Hotel.
Owners Jill and Phillip Hall have had the business since 2015, but it has been in the town since the early 1600s.
Inside is a pub, restaurant and B&B with nine rooms.
Speaking about the town, Phillip said: “It’s a great community, it could just do with a bit more investment and local shops.”
Jill said that the pub does currently have a stream of regulars, but there have been noticeable differences since the pandemic.
“People haven’t come back since before (the pandemic),” she said.
“People’s habits have changed.
“In the winter it’s very difficult.”
During the winter the pub is closed on a Thursday, and open from 4pm through the week.
The business champions local and has recently taken on a new chef who shares this vision.
Inside the bar is stocked with Breworks beer, which is brewed by Jill and Phillip’s son, Tristan, in Kirkbymoorside.
“The people that come in like (the pub),” said Jill.
The hotel was recently rated four stars by the AA and also received a dinner award.
As you leave Pickering more quality businesses meet you – many with a rich heritage in the town.
Of these, includes Enterprise Motors 2004, in Enterprise Way.
The garage has been in Pickering since 2004, but has a combined experience in the motor trade of over 90yrs.
At the Gazette & Herald, we have partnered with Ryedale District Council to encourage our readers to shop locally wherever they can.
Over the past five weeks we have shined a spotlight on Ryedale’s market towns showcasing the wide range of independent businesses and their offerings across the district.
- Helmsley: A look at the bustling market town
- Kirkbymoorside: Small market town with lots to offer
- Malton: Exploring the town hailed 'Yorkshire's Food Capital'
- Norton: The small town with lots of character
If you would like to advertise your business with us in the future mail alex.calman@localiq.co.uk for more details.
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