Dalby Forest

Visitor information

How to find us

Sat Nav Postcode:

YO18 7LT

Dalby Forest Visitors Centre, Low Dalby, Thornton-Le-Dale, Pickering

By Car

Follow the A169 Pickering to Whitby road. Look out for the brown tourist signs.

Or go car-free

By Public Transport

We welcome car-free visitors and offer free admission to those arriving by public transport or bike – plan your journey at Good Journey.

The Moors Bus operates a weekend service to the forest between July to September. Other service buses are available in Thornton Le Dale to major towns and cities.

For more information visit Moorsbus.

OS Grid Ref

SE 855878

Get directions

54.278555980996, -0.68830847740173

Parking and prices

If you arrive car-free there is no charge, find out more.

Parking and forest drive - up to 20 minutes with no charge.

ANPR system in operation. We are currently operating a cash free site (card only payments). Credit cards accepted. No overnight parking or camping.

Parking Charges

Peak charges (March to October)
Until 4pm	£10.00
After 4pm	£5.00

Off peak charges (November to February)
All day	£5.00

Coaches/Minibuses charges

Minibuses - £25.00

Coaches - £50.00 (£40.00 if booked in advance - call 0300 067 4300)

Additional information

Regular visitors can save money by becoming a Member -

Please note that the accessible parking spaces are available at the following car parks:

Main car park – 9 (4 top and 5 bottom)

Staindale roadside parking – 2

High Staindale car park – 2

Nissen Hut car park – 3

Crosscliff accessible parking area – 1

Number of accessible parking spaces: 17

Card payments accepted

Coaches/Minibuses welcomed

Disabled parking available

Pay on foot system

Facilities and access

Hire an all-terrain mobility scooter

We have a range of all-terrain mobility scooters available to hire for free. It's best to pre-book which you can do over the phone on 01751 460295.

For more information on planning your visit, take a look at our accessibility information:

View Accessibility Guide

Accessible toilet
All-terrain mobility scooter hire
Assistant dogs welcome
Baby changing facilities
Bike wash
Cafe
Cycle hire
Dogs allowed
Easy access trail
Information point
Picnic area
Play Area
Ranger's Office
Shop
Toilets
Visitor Centre

A line of conifer trees in front of a vast forest covered in mist.

Dalby Forest, in the heart of the North York Moors National Park offers the perfect place to escape, relax and adventure

Home to over 8,500 acres of breath-taking views, endless walking, running and cycle trails and Gruffalo adventures, a great day out awaits at Dalby Forest.

A visit to Dalby will uncover many magical things such as The Gruffalo orienteering course, Gruffalo Party Trail, some of the very best mountain biking trails and endless stunning views. Keep your eyes peeled along the way for our unique sculptures which are dotted throughout the forest, get the adrenaline pumping at Dalby Activity Centre or test your nerve and swing amongst the trees on our Go Ape courses.

Dalby Forest is home to an abundance of internationally important wildlife species and is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, where you can experience the magic of seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye. Join our stargazing partners, AstroDog to find out more and book on an event.

In 2024, we are welcoming some very familiar faces to Dalby Forest for Forest Live! Playing this year are Nile Rogers & CHIC, Bryan Adams and Richard Ashcroft.

If one day leaves you wanting more, join us as a member! With heaps of benefits such as free parking, discounts in the cafe, Go Ape and Dalby Forest Cycle Hub, there's tons of reasons to join. Click here for more information.

Read Dalby Forest's accessibility guide.

At a glance

13 walking trails (including easy access)
6 cycling trails
4 running trails
Forest Live music events
Visitor Centre and shop
Stargazing with AstroDog
Visitor Centre Cafe
Courtyard Cafe
Arts in Dalby Forest
Play areas
Go Ape
Bike shop and hire, including accessible bikes
Activity Centre
Venue Hire
My5's Secret Life of the Forest
Barbeques not permitted
For filming enquiries, please contact communicationsYFD@forestryengland.uk

Things to do

See more things to do | Back to top

All-terrain mobility scooters at Dalby Forest

If you have short or long term limited mobility, enjoy one of our free all-terrain mobility vehicles.

You do not need to be registered disabled.

How to book

We recommend booking before you visit by calling 01751 460295.

Hire is free of charge and can be for half a day or a full day.

Where can you use them?

Dalby Forest has two tramper trails which start from the visitor centre. The Ellerburn trail is also a level-graded route perfect for use on mobility scooters and trampers.

Find out more

Arts at Dalby Forest

Dalby Forest has hosted artists for many years, providing a place to create unique pieces, inspired by the stories of the forest and its naturally distinctive qualities and landscape. The arts are dotted throughout the forest, to tell each story in a purposefully selected location, bringing the forest and the art to life.

For more information contact artsindalby@forestryengland.uk

Our contemporary arts offer includes workshops, exhibitions and installations all year round. To find out the latest about arts in Forestry England, sign up to our arts newsletter.

Arts Award

Arts Award develops a young person’s creativity, communication and leadership skills and is a nationally recognised qualification. It has five levels: Discover, Explore, Bronze, Silver and Gold. As part of the Dalby Forest Arts Programme you can use the following log books to achieve your Discover and Explore Arts Awards.

Downloads

Discover Arts Award Log Book Explore Arts Award Log Book

Enjoy the arts safely

Some of the artworks are situated near walking and cycling tracks. Take care when approaching.This is a working forest, so please adhere to any safety information displayed.Please don’t climb on any of the artworks.

Accessibility

The placement of most of our artworks makes them accessible, although some can be best viewed from a slight distance. Speak to the staff at the Visitor Centre before heading into the forest.

You can also get in touch at dalbyvisitorcentre@forestryengland.uk

Why what3words?

What3words was created to provide a more accurate location service. They have divided the world into 3 metre squares with each square represented by 3 words. For example 'Dragonfly' by Peter Maris and Ann Sotheran uses the 3 words: shocked.remotes.trackers.

These words can be used online or in the what3words app to give you the exact location of the artwork in the forest. Traditionally relying on landmarks and signs can often lead to confusion or misdirection, so this method of navigation works great in rural areas such as Dalby Forest.

Find out more

Cycling and mountain biking trails at Dalby Forest

Whether you've just bought your first bike, or you're happy shredding through rock gardens, Dalby Forest offers a fantastic opportunity for natural cycling. Exploring this stunning forest on two wheels will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

With graded trails for various abilities, there is something for everyone to enjoy no matter the weather!

Find out more

Dalby Activity Centre at Dalby Forest

Based just a short walk from Adderstone Field and Dixon's Hollow car park, Dalby Activity Centre can host an exciting day or half day of outdoor activities including paintball, airsoft, archery and even tree climbing!

Dalby Activity Centre pride themselves on enabling people with a disability to access their activities, believing that outdoor adventure should be available to everyone - so give them a ring or call in at the Centre on site to discuss any needs that you or your group may have.

Find out more