Accessible North York Moors

A visit to one of Britain’s national parks is a great choice if you’re planning a holiday, and National Parks UK is committed to ensuring that the outdoors is for everyone, regardless of their accessibility requirements. The North York Moors is no exception, and has an stong commitment to inclusivity.

Our guide to accessible attractions in the North York Moors features everything from whale watching to cycling, with gardens, museums and historic buildings to explore, as well as lots of useful information to help you plan your visit.

Accessible trails

The national park’s excellent Miles without Stiles page has details of no fewer than 19 accessible walks in the North York Moors. Here are three of our favourites.

Esk Valley to Beck Hole

Start: Free parking area at the bottom of the hill in the Esk Valley hamlet

Distance: 3 miles (5 km) out and back

Difficulty: Easy

Surface: Firm, with very gentle gradients

This gentle trail follows the original Whitby to Pickering railway line and is classified as ‘Accessible for All’ by Miles Without Stiles. It’s on a hard surface and largely level, making it accessible for pushchairs and wheelchair users.

The well-signposted route, which runs alongside the Murk Esk stream, has plenty of seating along the way and takes in woodlands that are filled with bluebells in spring and the chance to spot otters and kingfishers, plus steam trains on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Simply leave the parking area through the gate and follow the old railway, signposted Goathland and Beck Hole. Once you’ve reached Beck Hole you might like to stop for lunch at the riverside pub in the village, then retrace your steps to return.

The Cleveland Way at Sutton Bank

Start: Sutton Bank National Park Centre

Distance: Approx 1 mile (1.5 km) out and back

Difficulty: Easy

Surface: Firm, well-maintained path

This trail from the National Park Centre at Sutton Bank is part of one of the most popular accessible walking routes in the North York Moors. It’s navigable for assisted wheelchair users and all-terrain buggies, there are wheelchairs available to use at the centre (free) and it’s also possible to hire a Tramper (an electric mobility scooter) – please book in advance.

The 700-metre trail runs along the escarpment to a viewpoint with spectacular vistas over the moor and the Vale of York. As a bonus, you can watch gliders from the Yorkshire Gliding Club riding the air currents above you, and there are information panels and benches along the way. 

The visitor centre itself has designated blue badge parking, RADAR-accessible bathrooms and a café with easy access. The tarmac paths in the grounds are easy to negotiate, and there are accessible picnic tables too.

The Euan’s Guide website has a detailed guide to all the facilities here, while the national park’s website has details of an optional longer route to the Kilburn White Horse that’s rated ‘Accessible for Many’ by Miles Without Stiles.

Dalby Forest

Start: Dalby Forest Visitor Centre

Distance: Various trails from 1 mile (1.5 km)

Difficulty: Various

Surface: Smooth, even paths with some slight inclines 

Dalby Forest covers an impressive 8,500 acres and is home to a number of accessible woodland trails with forest sculptures to spot, picnic areas where you can take a break, and plenty of wildlife viewing opportunities along the way. 

The wide range of facilities goes a long way towards making the forest accessible to all. In addition to paths suitable for wheelchair users, the centre also has (free) all-terrain mobility scooters available to hire. If you’d like the chance to explore on two (or three) wheels, the excellent Dalby Forest Cycling Hub has an extensive range of adapted electric bikes, recumbent trikes, tandems and hand-powered bikes available to rent. The knowledgeable staff at the Visitor Centre and the Cycle Hub are happy to advise on the best routes for individuals – you can call them to discuss your personal needs and then book in advance online.

The visitor centre has accessible parking spaces and toilets, as well as a wheelchair-accessible reception area, cafe and picnic tables.

Accessible attractions

Danby Lodge National Park Centre

If you’d like to learn more about the history and culture of the North York Moors, the park’s (free) visitor centre at Danby Lodge (open daily from early February to early January) is a great place to start. It’s wheelchair-friendly, with designated Blue Badge parking, accessible indoor and outdoor toilets, and lift access to all floors. A free manual wheelchair and an electric scooter are available for use in the centre and the grounds. 

Inside there’s an art gallery, as well as interactive exhibitions and displays on the park’s history, industries, geography and wildlife. Outside there’s a 400-metre easy-access circular path through Crow Wood.

There’s plenty to keep kids busy around the forest, including a nature trail, an adventure playground and a labyrinth, while additional events and activities for families take place during the summer and school holidays.

The AccessAble website has full details of the centre’s facilities.

Whitby Abbey

Set high on a cliff above the town, the dramatic 13th-century ruins of Whitby Abbey are great fun to explore, with ramps and accessible pathways around the site and the added bonus of fabulous views along the coast.

The Abbey’s visitor centre (inside a 17th-century mansion) houses a fascinating museum that explores the building’s Viking, Saxon and more recent history through pottery, jewellery, religious relics and items discovered at the site. Interactive displays and multimedia presentations trace the Abbey’s history from its 7th-century beginnings, alongside detailed models and exhibits on the life of the monks who lived here. Look out for the signed copy of Dracula – the abbey was a significant inspiration to author Bram Stoker, and part of the story is based here.

There is accessible parking and toilets on site, and wheelchairs are available to borrow from the car park and the visitor centre. Full details of all the accessible facilities are available on the English Heritage website.

Helmsley Walled Garden

In the shadow of ruined Helmsley Castle, the charming, 18th-century Helmsley Walled Garden (March to December, Wednesday to Sunday from 10am) features five acres of lawns, flowering borders, orchards, an orchid house and a series of outdoor ‘rooms’. Rescued from dereliction by nurse Alison Ticehurst in 1994, today it’s a champion of ‘therapeutic horticulture’ – the practice of improving health and wellbeing through gardening – and (depending on the season) you’ll be able to wander among its irises, peonies, maples and clematis in a relaxed and peaceful atmosphere. 

The garden itself is almost completely step-free and on one level, and there’s a ramp that bypasses the steps to the glasshouse. Wheelchairs are available to borrow for free (please book in advance). There are Blue Badge parking spaces in the nearby Cleveland Way car park, and visitors can also be dropped off at the garden gates (please contact the garden in advance).  

The AccessAble website has full details of all the garden’s accessible facilities.

Ryedale Folk Museum

The fascinating open-air Ryedale Folk Museum (open Saturday to Thursday from 10am) showcases the rural heritage of the North York Moors through more than 20 relocated buildings filled with original artefacts, including a medieval manor, a blacksmith’s forge and a 1950s village store. Interactive exhibits explore traditional crafts, trades and agricultural practices, and there are lots of places to picnic in the orchard and gardens.

There is wheelchair access to the majority of the site, although wheelchair users may occasionally require assistance due to the terrain. Manual wheelchairs and electric mobility scooters are available to borrow (free). Assistance dogs are welcome, carers are admitted free of charge, and there are two accessible toilets on site.

Inclusive activities and experiences

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

If you’ve always wanted to travel on a steam train, it’s time to book a trip on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway. Trips between Pickering and Whitby on this beautiful heritage attraction run every day from late March until the beginning of November. The 24-mile journey has great views across the moor and includes stops at three heritage stations en route, including Grosmont – home to the company’s engine sheds – and Goathland, which doubled as Hogsmeade Station in the film Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Specially adapted carriages with wider doors and access ramps can accommodate wheelchairs and electric scooters. Accessible parking is free, and carers qualify for free entry. There are accessible toilets available across the network, and the railway’s website has details of access to all the stations. Assistance dogs are welcome, but should be kept on a lead at all times.   

The company also runs themed events throughout the year and Santa Specials at Christmas. Full details of the timetable, accessibility and all the special services are available on their website. Booking in advance is recommended, and you can discuss any personal needs before you travel with the railway’s helpful staff.

Accessible boat trips

If you’d like to try sailing or power boating, there are two excellent initiatives within the park that will enable you to get out on the water: 

Part of the charity Wetwheels Foundation, Wetwheels Yorkshire runs power boating trips from Whitby and Scarborough that are accessible to those with limited mobility and those with multiple, profound and complex impairments. The boats have full access for up to three wheelchairs at a time, and all safety equipment is provided.

Trips last around two hours and you can take your pick from activities including sightseeing – with the chance to visit Robin Hood’s Bay and the Ravenscar seal colony – fishing and whale watching, and you’ll even get the chance to take the helm.

The Scaling Dam Sailing and Watersports Club runs a Sailability programme (April to September, usually Wednesday afternoons and Sunday mornings) designed to enable those with disabilities or learning difficulties to experience the joy of sailing. The club provides safety equipment, and it has accessible parking, changing and bathroom facilities, plus a hoist to enable boarding.

Please contact the club to enquire about all the available sessions.

Practical tips for visiting

Numerous places throughout the national park offer accessible routes, wheelchairs and electric scooters to rent, Blue Badge parking, accessible bathrooms and other adapted facilities. To make the most of your visit, we’d recommend a little research before you travel. To help you get started, here are some useful links:

• North York Moors National Park - accessibility page – a list of accessible attractions, experiences and activities in the park
• AccessAble (North York Moors) – accessibility details for many local attractions and facilities (searchable)
• National Parks website - Accessible North York Moors – details of tramper hire and accessible trails
• North York Moors Accessibility Project on Visit Britain
• Pippa Stacey’s accessible guide to the North York Moors on Visit England
• Jennie Berry’s accessible stay in the North York Moors on Visit England
• The Guardian’s article on accessibility in the North York Moors

 

If you've got access needs you may think that camping is off limits, but that's not true at all. Pitchup’s range of campsites in the North York Moors National Park includes several sites that have facilities for people with disabilities. Use the accessibility filters to search for suitable sites and choose the facilities that are important for you.

Whether you want to speed across the water in a power boat, take a ride on a steam train or discover the beauty of the park’s moorland, rivers and forests, the North York Moors has plenty of accessible experiences for you to enjoy.