Wheldrake Woods

Visitor information

Come and stroll amongst a mosaic of trees at Wheldrake Wood, York's hidden outdoor gem

Wheldrake Wood is a fantastic place to escape the everyday bustle of York and stretch your legs with a woodland walk. With an abundance of wildlife, mixture of trees and network of informal paths, Wheldrake Wood is the place to go for your next outdoor adventure. 

Starting from Broad Highway Car Park, you can choose to stay on the main path or for the more adventurous, explore further by branching off on smaller trails.

At a glance

  • Walking trails
  • Dogs welcome

Things to do

Walking is the perfect way to get some fresh air and explore some of the area's most beautiful landscapes.

Wheldrake Woods has a range of open access paths and trails for you and your four legged friends to explore.

Nearby forests

Hybrid Bluebell close up

Home to foxes, deer, badgers and many woodland birds, Hagg Wood provides the perfect woodland visit for any wildlife enthusiast! At different times of the year you can hear the call of woodpeckers, wood pigeons and cuckoos. 

It's also a great place to spot bluebells in spring, as well as primroses, yellow pimpernel, wood anemone and dog violets, which you'll find growing along the woodland rides and clearings.

A sparse woodland with blue skies behind. On the forest floor is brown bracken.

The area is very flat making it great if you want an easy stroll through the peaceful woodland. It is also very popular with wildlife experts, especially entomologists looking for insects! Adders can also be found in the woodland. They are shy and not easily seen, so if you spot one, you should count yourself very lucky! Watch out for them sunbathing on grassy banks, rocks or tracks from mid-morning until early afternoon from spring through to Autumn.

A view across an open valley with small villages and towns in the distance. With tops of trees in the foreground

Experience stunning views and visit the iconic Kilburn White Horse at Kilburn Woods.

Kilburn White Horse is the most northerly turf-cut figure in Britain and one of the most famous landmarks in North Yorkshire. It's easily visible from the south, below Sutton Bank, and while it's difficult to get a sense of its scale from the path on the escarpment edge above, there are steps down the side which give a closer view.

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

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.

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