In Guisborough, priory history, market traditions and woodland trails offer different interests for visitors. Two questions are particularly helpful when planning your stay: How much time would you like to spend at the historic sites, and which route fits into your day, given its approximate duration? The museum and markets also add set days of the week to your plans.
Priory ruins and medieval architecture
The ruins of Gisborough Priory are dominated by the striking skeleton of the church’s east end. This section dates from the 14th century and is considered an outstanding example of early Gothic architecture. Gisborough Priory was one of the first Augustinian priories to be built in England. Standing remains and parts of the priory precinct have been preserved on the site. These include a dovecote from the early 16th century; the site also contains the remains of a late Saxon settlement and an early Norman cemetery. In addition to the medieval ruins, visitors can explore the Woodland Garden.
Volunteers lead tours of Gisborough Priory. They are free, do not require advance booking and start at 2 pm. Tour arrangements may change, so check the details before your visit.
Church, museum and local history
The Grade II* listed Church of St Nicholas dates from around 1500 and stands on foundations dating from before 1086. An original east window with medieval glass was moved to the west wall of the south aisle. The church also houses the Brus Cenotaph, an early 16th-century memorial to King Robert Bruce of Scotland. The church is next to Gisborough Priory.
Guisborough Museum tells the story of the old market town. Its Railway Exhibition includes a scale model of the former railway stations and rare photographs that can only be seen at the museum. In 2026, the museum is open from 10 am to 4 pm on Thursdays and Saturdays, from 2 April to 31 October; admission is free. Check the dates before you travel.
Bakehouse Square also combines local history with a public space in the town centre: this peaceful green space is a place to relax and gives visitors the chance to learn more about Guisborough. The Bakehouse Square Mural celebrates the town’s history and cultural heritage.
Markets and choosing the right day to visit
Traditional markets have been held in Guisborough on Thursdays and Saturdays for more than 600 years. The monthly Farmers Market takes place on the second Saturday of the month. Stalls offer items including homemade preserves, pies, cheese, organic vegetables and handicrafts. Market and museum days partly overlap: a Saturday may therefore work for both a museum visit during its 2026 opening hours and a market day. Farmers Market dates and offerings may change; check them in advance.
Choose woodland trails based on time and interest
Cycle routes, walking trails, bridleways, a trim trail and orienteering courses start at Guisborough Forest and Walkway and continue into the forest. The Sculpture Trail leads into the forest past chainsaw carvings. The Hutton Lowcross Trail adds a historic landscape feature: the route passes Blue Lake, which was once used to store water to power hydraulic machinery at Home Farm.
Two routes from the Guisborough Forest and Walkway Visitor Centre differ in their approximate time commitment. The Bousdale Beck Trail is a moderate walk of about one and a half hours. The Hutton Lowcross Trail is a circular route and takes about two and a half hours. The Hutton Lowcross Trail therefore takes about an hour longer than the Bousdale Beck Trail.
Another option is the Guisborough Woods and Highcliff Nab route. It starts at the Fountain Street East car park in Guisborough, meets the Cleveland Way in the forest and leads to the top of Highcliff Nab. Near Hanging Stone, Guisborough Forest encompasses habitats ranging from woodland to heather moorland. This gives you a choice of different routes and landscape features without treating the trails or their estimated durations as equivalent.
Discover more destinations: Skelton-In-Cleveland, Great Ayton, Loftus, Brotton, Saltburn-By-The-Sea, Moorsholm.
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