Great woods to explore
The forests and woods are one of the North York Moors best kept secrets. With more woodland than the New Forest, trees cover over 20% of the National Park while the Howardian Hills are also peppered with ancient woodlands, along with wide, tree-lined avenues of the great parkland estates.
Our woods and forests are an unexpected treasure, from strolls among ancient trees to a wander through the bluebells. They’re also great places for dog walks while over in Dalby Forest, 70 miles of cycling trails provide family fun and world-class thrills alike at England’s largest trail centre. Here’s some of our favourite playgrounds and woodland experiences.
1. May Beck and Falling Foss
Start your woodland adventures at May Beck with its dappled light, shallow waters to paddle in and even a bridge to play pooh-sticks, for the big kid in you. An idyllic tea garden set in an old gamekeeper’s cottage deep in the woods next to Falling Foss waterfall completes the perfect day out. Think homemade cakes and pots of tea served at outdoor tables in a rustic glade – the words ‘dingly-dell’ were never so apt.
2. Woodland wildlife
There’s something magical about encountering wildlife in the woods, all the sweeter for being few and fleeting. Join expert guides Yorkshire Coast Nature on one of their National Park Nature Safaris roaming forest and moorland to seek out rare birds of prey, fascinating flora and fritillary butterflies. For nocturnal lovers, badger watching tours are on offer in Cropton Forest (call 01723 367864 for more information).
3. Dalby, the Great Yorkshire Forest
Scan the truly dark skies and marvel at the bright stars at one of the bi-monthly Scarborough and Ryedale Astronomical Society public observing events in Dalby Forest, an official Dark Sky Discovery Site. World-class mountain-bike routes, Go Ape! Tree Top Adventures (for big and little monkeys), Segway forest trails, paintballing, family strolls or getting messy with a paper-making workshop at Pulpitations will also keep you busy. Big name bands and music acts perform at open-air concerts each summer. And yet you can still find your own space and tranquillity in the forest’s 8,600 acres.
With so much to do, stay in the heart of the forest in the luxurious surroundings of High Dalby House and Cottages, go for a cabin experience at Dalby Forest Lodges or a spot of glamping in camping pods at Pexton Moor Farm.
4. Get back to nature in Keldy and Cropton
Get back to nature by staying in a Forest Holidays treehouse in Keldy Forest or a log cabin at Cropton, where Forest Rangers regularly take out mini-Chris Packham’s in the making day and night. These fun, informative sessions introduce the woodland’s wildlife, from bats, deer, owls, foxes and more. You can hire a bike and follow the marked cycle routes through the woods. Quieter than its more well-known big brother, Dalby, you’re very likely to have them to yourself. Experience the thrill of whizzing down a zip wire – newly opened at Keldy cabins – whether you’re an adrenaline junkie, looking to try something new or prove to the kids that whatever they can do, you can do faster. There’s an experienced Forest Ranger on hand to keep you safely speeding down to the forest floor. Or maybe you’d just prefer to lie back in the outdoor hot tub with the sounds of the night forest around you. You may even be lucky enough to hear a nightjar churring.
5. The Yorkshire Arboretum
More dog and family friendly fun is found at The Yorkshire Arboretum’s collection of over 6,000 trees and shrubs in 150 acres of parkland and woodland, in the heart of the Howardian Hills. Treasure hunts, leaf bingo and activity packs will keep the little ones amused. Don’t miss their weekly tours every Thursday at 1.30pm between April and the end of October when a friendly expert will introduce you to the collection and some of the best seasonal treasures. No need to book, just turn up.
6. Ancient wildwoods at Garbutt
Garbutt Wood offers a reminder of the wildwoods that once covered the North York Moors thousands of years ago. On the steep trail down from Sutton Bank National Park Centre you’ll spot a wealth of trees and wildlife – step quietly and you may be lucky enough to see a secretive roe deer hiding. Mature oak and birch dominate, while regenerating rowan, holly, hazel and young oak is replacing ageing birch. If you keep on the path, you’ll eventually reach Gormire, the only natural lake in the North York Moors.
7. National Nature Reserves
There’s two National Nature Reserves in the North York Moors, both protected as outstanding examples of woodland.
Treading the ancient footways of our ancestors wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Duncombe Park, on the outskirts of Helmsley, where there’s been a park since medieval times, and where some of the trees are more than half a millennium old. Some limes could be over 1,000 years old and the tallest lime tree in Britain is found here. Keep your eyes open for kingfisher, grey wagtail and dipper along the river and you can also find woodpeckers, nuthatch and hawfinch in the woodland. The parkland is usually open for exploring between February and December (admission fees apply) as well as the nearby International Centre for Birds of Prey.
The spectacular steep-sided ravine of Forge Valley Woods National Nature Reserve is one of the best remaining examples of ancient woodland in the National Park, teeming with wildlife. It’s also Jurassic Park! Walk the Geological Trail to find out how this peaceful ancient woodland valley was carved out by the action of melting ice sheets at the end of the last ice age. Take the time to poke around the ground at Whetstone Quarry and you’ll find fossil seashells. There’s plenty of picnic tables along the way too or take in the views overlooking the valley from The Everley Country House Café nearby.
8. Live Local, Ride Local at Newbridge Park
The volunteer-run community woodland at Newbridge Park on the edge of Pickering has an all-ability cross-country cycle trail, jump park and pump track, plus picnic area. There’s woodland walking on trails that take you along the delightful Pickering Beck where you’ll hear the whistle before catching a glimpse of a steam train through the trees. Walking in the woods is free but to ride you need to be a member (weekly pass £2, individuals £10/yr, annual family ticket £20 – available from Trailblazer Outdoors in Pickering Market Place). The money helps support the woodland management and upkeep of the park, and there are loads of member discounts on offer with local businesses.
9. Mulgrave Woods
Castles, alum quarries, cement stone mines and abundant wildlife around steep ravines are all to be found in Mulgrave Woods near Sandsend. These ancient native woodlands are privately owned but have public access every Wednesday and weekends (closed in May).
10. Guisborough Forest and Walkway
900 acres of mixed woodland with waymarked walks and bike trails, Guisborough Forest has lots hidden amongst the trees to keep you busy. Visitor centre and café, orienteering course, trimtrail, sculpture trail, play areas, bird hide and dipping ponds, don’t forget your net! Head up to Highcliff Nab for spectacular views over the North York Moors and coast too.
11. Newton Wood
Close to Guisborough too, you’ll likely pass through Newton Wood on any climb of Roseberry Topping. A broadleaved woodland on the lower slopes of Yorkshire’s mini-Matterhorn, you’ll find oaks, rowan, ash, alder and sycamore. It’s also rich in wildlife, look out for great spotted woodpeckers, blue tits, woodcock, wood warblers and flycatchers. Visit in May, and you’ll experience probably the best and much-photographed carpet of bluebells in the area. There’s also a pub situated right at the bottom of the hill, a perfect end to a woodland wander.
(Content courtesy of http://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk)
