Pickering

Pickering ward covers the market town of Pickering and its surrounding rural parishes within the Ryedale district. The area is defined by the North York Moors National Park to the north and agricultural land to the south. The town itself functions as a key service centre for the local farming communities and visitors to the moorland. Its historic core includes the medieval parish church and the ruins of Pickering Castle, a royal fortress dating to the Norman era.

The landscape is characterised by the meandering course of Pickering Beck, which runs through the town. A very specific feature is the northern terminus of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway, a preserved heritage line operating steam locomotives. The ward's economy balances tourism with traditional agriculture and local commerce. The surrounding villages and hamlets, such as Newton-on-Rawcliffe, are connected to the town's market and amenities.