Yorkshire


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<p>Productivity guru, &nbsp;columnist and Radio Four presenter Oliver Burkeman, author of <em>Four Thousand Weeks: Time Management for Mortals</em> and <em>Meditation for Mortals</em> has spent years reflecting on how to make the most of our limited time on earth. Now splitting his time between the rugged beauty of the North York Moors and the urban energy of Brooklyn, New York, here&#8217;s where the Burkeman, who was brought up in York, likes to hang out.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-pub-the-blacksmith-s-arms-lastingham"><strong>Favourite Pub: </strong><a href="https://blacksmithslastingham.com/">The Blacksmith’s Arms, Lastingham</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="750" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/369465177_791862796282518_8042936525064833905_n.jpg" alt="The exterior of The Blacksmith's Arms in Lastingham" class="wp-image-424" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/369465177_791862796282518_8042936525064833905_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/369465177_791862796282518_8042936525064833905_n-300x225.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/369465177_791862796282518_8042936525064833905_n-768x576.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>One of the first places I truly fell in love with in the North York Moors was The Blacksmith’s Arms in Lastingham. Lastingham is a small village, but it’s steeped in history. The church there dates back to the seventh century, and it’s home to a crypt that’s famous for its extraordinary silence. There’s a real sense of sacredness when you’re down there &#8211; almost like time stands still. The church is a pilgrimage site for many, but it’s also just a beautiful, quiet place to sit and think. And then, about ten metres across the narrow street, there’s The Blacksmith’s Arms—a fantastic pub.</p>



<p>The food is always reliably good, with local meats, seafood, and other regional produce. It’s become the go-to spot when friends visit from out of town. Living in such a semi-remote area, it’s important to have a place like this to take people, where the food is great and the atmosphere is warm and welcoming. It’s the sort of place where you can sit by the fire after a long walk in the moors, and if you’ve earned that pint with a good hike, it always tastes better.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-inspiring-walk-andy-goldsworthy-s-hanging-stones-north-york-moors"><strong>Inspiring Walk: </strong><a href="https://hangingstones.org/">Andy Goldsworthy’s Hanging Stones, North York Moors</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/hanging-stones.jpg-copy.jpg" alt="The Hanging Stones Walk by Anthony Goldsworthy" class="wp-image-427" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/hanging-stones.jpg-copy.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/hanging-stones.jpg-copy-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/hanging-stones.jpg-copy-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>One of my absolute favourite walks, and one I often take visitors on, is the Andy Goldsworthy Hanging Stones Walk. It’s very close to where we live, and it’s a bit of a hidden gem in the area. This walk connects around 10 different barns and stone structures, which Goldsworthy, the artist, has worked on—some he rebuilt, others he transformed into installations. Each one has its own artwork inside, and the whole experience is a mix of art, nature, and craftsmanship.</p>



<p>You start by picking up a key from a local in the village, and then you let yourself into these structures along the way, unlocking each one as you go. What’s so amazing about Goldsworthy’s work is the sheer physicality of it. I’m not an art connoisseur by any means, but I’m blown away by the craftsmanship that goes into these structures. Some of them seem like they shouldn’t even be possible, and yet they’re standing there in the middle of the moors, completely integrated into the landscape.</p>



<p>There’s also a spot on the walk that’s perfect for a packed lunch. One of the barns is set up with a little picnic area inside, so you can stop and enjoy the view before continuing on. They only book a limited number of people per day for the walk, so it never feels crowded, and it’s such a peaceful, immersive experience. It’s definitely one of the highlights of the area for me.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-bakery-bluebird-bakery-malton"><strong>Favourite Bakery: </strong><a href="https://bluebirdbakery.co.uk/">Bluebird Bakery, Malton</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="668" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/448496733_1260806094903865_3368488837251423231_n.jpg" alt="fresh bread out the oven from Bluebird Bakery in Malton" class="wp-image-428" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/448496733_1260806094903865_3368488837251423231_n.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/448496733_1260806094903865_3368488837251423231_n-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/448496733_1260806094903865_3368488837251423231_n-768x513.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Whenever I head into Malton, Yorkshire’s food capital, I always make a point to stop by Bluebird Bakery. It’s located in Talbot Yard, which is a fantastic little open-air courtyard with a handful of excellent food businesses. There’s something about freshly baked bread and pastries that just makes everything better, and Bluebird is the best. I think they have a few locations around the north of England, but the one in Malton is my favourite.</p>



<p>Malton itself is a brilliant place to visit if you’re a food lover. Apart from Bluebird Bakery, there’s also a gin distillery and this great gelato place called The Groovy Moo. The name alone makes it worth a visit! I often stop there for an ice cream after picking up some bread from Bluebird, and it’s a nice little treat, especially in the warmer months.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-urban-escape-greenwood-cemetery-brooklyn"><strong>Urban Escape: </strong><a href="https://nycbirdalliance.org/events-birding/birding-resources/birding-in-nyc/birding-in-brooklyn/green-wood-cemetery?gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAjwgfm3BhBeEiwAFfxrG4V0uT_bnxJipnBVSG44ltmsMKnnNNe0DKQx34_du-aDNAoIaSkP3BoCRCQQAvD_BwE">Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="759" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/Green-Wood_Cemetery_gate_53784p_cropped.jpg" alt="The entrance to Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn" class="wp-image-431" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/Green-Wood_Cemetery_gate_53784p_cropped.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/Green-Wood_Cemetery_gate_53784p_cropped-300x228.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/Green-Wood_Cemetery_gate_53784p_cropped-768x583.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>When I’m in Brooklyn, one of my favourite places to escape the busyness of the city is Greenwood Cemetery. That might sound like a bit of an odd choice, but it’s not just a cemetery—it’s also a vast park-like space with incredible Victorian mausoleums and open, green areas. It’s one of those places that feels like a completely different world from the streets just outside.</p>



<p>Greenwood has a long history, and it’s a fascinating place to wander around. You can easily spend an afternoon there walking through the winding paths, taking in the architecture, and enjoying the quiet. In a city like Brooklyn, having a place where you can just breathe and get away from the constant buzz is invaluable. It’s one of my favourite spots to clear my head, and it’s amazing how much peace you can find in the middle of a city as vibrant and busy as New York.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-favourite-holiday-seoul-south-korea"><strong>Favourite holiday: Seoul, South Korea</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="880" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/seoul-unsplash.jpg" alt="gyeongbokgung palace, sajik ro, jongno gu, seoul, south korea" class="wp-image-438" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/seoul-unsplash.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/seoul-unsplash-300x176.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/seoul-unsplash-1024x601.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/seoul-unsplash-768x451.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>One of the most memorable places I’ve ever visited is Seoul, South Korea. I had the chance to wander through these enormous palaces and royal courtyard spaces, which were just breath-taking. The scale of the architecture and the history behind it made it an unforgettable experience. I also took a day trip to the border with North Korea, which was surreal. You’re taken into the Joint Security Area, and at one point, you can stand in a little blue hut with one foot in North Korea. That’s probably as far into North Korea as I’ll ever go, but it was a fascinating experience nonetheless.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-best-place-for-reflection-christ-s-pieces-cambridge"><strong>Best place for reflection: </strong><a href="https://www.christs.cam.ac.uk/facilities/christs-pieces">Christ’s Pieces, Cambridge</a></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="616" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/pieces2banner.jpg" alt="Christ's Pieces park in Cambridge" class="wp-image-436" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/pieces2banner.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/pieces2banner-300x185.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/yorkshire/wp-content/uploads/sites/27/2024/10/pieces2banner-768x473.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>During my university years at Cambridge, one of the places I went to clear my head was Christ’s Pieces, a public park just behind the college I attended. I spent a lot of time walking around the park, trying to de-stress during exam season. It’s a beautiful green space, and it gave me the perspective I needed during some pretty intense periods. Even now, I think back to those walks as moments of calm in the middle of what felt like chaos.</p>



<p><em>Meditations for Mortals: Four Weeks to Embrace Your Limitations and Make Time For What Counts (Penguin, £18.99) by Oliver Burkeman is out now</em>.</p>



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My Favourite Places: author Oliver Burkeman

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