Pickering is an old market town and borders the North York Moors National Park.
Pickering Beck is a natural watercourse that runs through the town. It has a long history of flooding happening around every five years though there are areas that flood yearly. Widespread damage was done in the floods of 1999 and also 2007.
Pickering is situated on what were the shores of a glacial lake in the Ice Age. The settlement built here was well positioned as it had water from the beck, wood from the forest, stone, wildfowl, game, fish and fertile soil.
In the 16th century many of the older small houses were built in the town some had thatched roofs others were built of stone.
The castle was allowed to fall into ruin whereas the town prospered. The stocks, shambles and market cross all stood in the Market Place positioned in the towns centre.
Pickering flourished as an agricultural centre and market town. It was also known for coaches and many inns were opened to accommodate travellers. During this time the beck was an open sewer and it was to stay this way until the beginning of the 1900’s.
During the 20th century there were more than 60 shops in town and in 1922 an old mill became the Memorial Hall in memory of the men of Pickering who lost their lives in WWI. This hall, though now considerable more modern, still serves the community.
Agriculture declined between 1920 and 1950 but with more people driving the towns economy once again began to thrive with tourism and this has remained the town’s major occupation especially since the North York Moors Railway reopened as a steam railway. Of course the television programme ‘Heartbeat’ has also added interest to the area.
The town is home to three theatres and hold both professional and amateur productions.
The town has sporting facilities for athletics, cricket, football, bowls and badminton.
There are two main shopping areas in town, the largest Market place and Eastgate Square.
There are no real large employers in town and residents find work in tourism, retailing or on one of the small industrial estates.
Property for rent in Pickering includes l bed accommodation at around £395pcm and 2 bed accommodation at £450pcm.
In nearby Dalby Forest can be found many varieties of trees and springs run north to south it is home of birds such as the nightjar and cross bill there are also many badger and roe deer.
The North York Moors Railway is a heritage railway and at eighteen miles long is the second longest in the UK. It is staffed mainly by volunteers and runs daily from March to November. The trains are mostly steam with some using heritage diesel. Recently the services during the summer run to the seaside town of Whitby.
Pickering Castle is a ruin of fortified stone built in the 13th and
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