Beck Hole

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Beck Hole

Beck Hole is a small village a mile and a quarter from Goathland, North Yorkshire, England, served only by a winding road that has 1-in-4 inclines at either end. This gives some protection from the general tourist routes, as coaches are unable to reach the village. The result is a sleepy village hardly touched by modern influences.

Beck Hole was served by the original Whitby to Pickering railway line until a hauling line snapped and a carriage plunged down the original incline, killing two of the occupants. A new route followed, taking the line above Beck Hole itself, although there is no station for the village.

The old route is now used as the 'Rail Trail', which is a walk from Goathland to Grosmont through the Esk Valley. It is suggested that walkers start at Goathland as the trail is then mainly downhill, only the brave should start at Grosmont.

A popular stop-off on the trail is the Birch Hall Inn, the local pub. A tiny bar and an even smaller shop are at the front of the building, which has remained unchanged for many years. Serving Real Ale, Beck Hole Butties and locally produced pies, featuring interesting old puzzles pinned to the walls, it bypasses the description 'quaint' on its way to being eccentric. The pub is also the base for the local information website at http://www.beckhole.info

Quoits are played on the village green during the summer, details can be found on the village website.