10 Nature & Parks in North Yorkshire That You Shouldn't Miss

March 1, 2022 Sheron Bogner

Discover the best top things to do in North Yorkshire, United Kingdom including Ingleborough, Wainwright's Coast-to-Coast Walk, National Centre for Birds of Prey, Cleveland Way National Trail, Pennine Way National Trail, Brimham Rocks, Ripley Castle and Gardens, RHS Garden Harlow Carr, Newby Hall and Gardens, Ingleton Waterfalls Trail.
Restaurants in North Yorkshire

1. Ingleborough

Yorkshire Dales National Park, Settle England +44 15242 41256 http://www.oldhillinn.co.uk
Excellent
78%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 234 reviews

Ingleborough

Reviewed By sheffieldeats - Sheffield, United Kingdom

Seen from the top of Pen y Ghent and knowing that in about 6-8 hours you will be looking up at its vast bulk, takes some beating mixed emotions! Variety of terrain on the approach in, followed by a relatively short scramble up. Take your time and watch where you put your feet! Your respect for the mountain will be rewarded.

2. Wainwright's Coast-to-Coast Walk

England http://www.coastto.co.uk/
Excellent
95%
Good
2%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 178 reviews

Wainwright's Coast-to-Coast Walk

Reviewed By lawyerrambling - Glendale, United States

Signed on with C2C in Kirkby Steven to do the first two-thirds of the walk (solo) in early June. Cannot praise the walk enough. Even this portion (of roughly 120 miles) offered a cross-section with coastal bluffs the first day, lakes and peaks through the Lake District, moors across Westmoreland, hills through the Pennines, dales in Yorkshire, villages in the Lake District and market towns (Kirkby Steven and Richmond). I took a slow pace and an extra night in Grasmere and the pace is such that, time permitting, an extra day every three days or so is welcome. (I wish I'd allowed an extra night in Kirkby Steven). The accommodations proved excellent (guest houses and B&Bs mostly) and the food was a pleasant surprise.

3. National Centre for Birds of Prey

Duncombe Park, Helmsley YO62 5EB England +44 1439 772080 [email protected] http://www.ncbp.co.uk
Excellent
89%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 1,440 reviews

National Centre for Birds of Prey

FROM 12 April 2021 WE ARE OPEN AS NORMAL The National Centre for Birds of Prey at Duncombe Park is the largest collection of these amazing birds in the north of England. You will find over 100 owls, eagles, vultures, falcons, hawks kites and more in a spacious 10 acre setting. We are a leader in the captive breeding, welfare and conservation of these awesome birds. Please don't compare us to other bird of prey centres, we are in a different league! We have a team of trained bird who fly twice times a day at 11.30 and 14.00. Different birds are flown at each demo. We even have an indoor area if the weather isn't being kind. In recognition of the quality of the National Centre for Birds of Prey - we won our category in the White Rose Awards, the UK's largest regional tourism awards and then we won best attraction in the Visit York awards

Reviewed By SouthYorks - Barnsley, United Kingdom

Spent over 4 hours at the Bird of Prey Centre along with a short walk in Duncombe Park. 2 really interesting and informative flying displays with 4 birds flown in each display, and presented by 3 knowledgeable falconers (including Charlie and Sarah). Birds flown included Eagles, Owls and Falcons. Aviaries are provided for all birds, as well as an outdoor Hawk Walk where birds can be seen close up. Each aviary includes lots of information specific to each bird species. Overall an enjoyable day and would return.

4. Cleveland Way National Trail

North York Moors National Park England http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/cleveland-way
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 133 reviews

Cleveland Way National Trail

Reviewed By LauraT404 - Middlesbrough, United Kingdom

We started walking the Cleveland Way in July from the start/end point in Helmsley near the carpark. The walk begins at a triangular stone sculpture carved with the name of the walk and the national trail acorn logo. We walked a stretch most weekends and finished early September. The Cleveland Way ends in Filey at a similar, larger, triangular stone sculpture. Day 1: Helmsley to Sutton Bank (18.81kms) Day 2: Sutton Bank to Osmotherley (19.46kms) Day 3: Osmotherley to Clay Bank (19.57kms) Day 4: Clay Bank to Captain Cook’s Monument (19.79kms) Day 5: Captain Cook’s Monument to Saltburn (21.08kms) Day 6: Saltburn to Sandsend (29.3kms) Day 7: Sandsend to Ravenscar (24.79kms) Day 8: Ravenscar to Filey (34.1kms) I enjoyed following the white acorn signposts all along the Cleveland Way, it felt almost like a treasure trail :-) Paths varied so much from flat stone paths, bumpy pebble paths, grass, mud, the occasional stretch along a tarmac road and everything in between! Walking through fields, woods, across moorlands, many bridges and then along the coast with the many ups and downs and occasional boardwalks. We were blessed with lovely weather on 6 of our 8 days and took many AMAZING photos. The first half of the Cleveland Way is more varied with regards to scenery, the second half is entirely coastal with only the occasional short detour slightly inland to go through a woodland valley. The coastal views are spectacular! But so are the open moorland stretches! Every day was a delight and I am so glad we had the opportunity to experience the English countryside in all its glory, and right on our doorstep too! I've reviewed the different locations we passed through on our mammoth hike separately, see other reviews for more information. I couldn't pick a favourite part of our hike, as each day was so different! But I would recommend anyone with reasonable fitness to take the time to experience our beautiful countryside.

5. Pennine Way National Trail

Yorkshire Dales National Park DL8 3EL England http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/pennine-way
Excellent
67%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 18 reviews

Pennine Way National Trail

This 270-mile walk goes from the Peak District National Park to the Scottish borders.

6. Brimham Rocks

Summerbridge, Harrogate HG3 4DW England +44 1423 780688 [email protected] http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brimhamrocks
Excellent
70%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,406 reviews

Brimham Rocks

An amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations: a great day out for families, climbers and those who love the outdoors.

Reviewed By FrequentFlier809627

Superb for all the family. Plenty of marked (disabled accessible) paths & lots of rocks to climb. There's really nowhere else like it. Be sure to see the Dancing Bear rock (above the visitor centre) &, just a little further on, the Balancing Rock. Make sure you visit the snack bar (check opening days) and try the hot sausage rolls - the best sausage rolls you've ever had! There's a large area of picnic tables by the snack bar so feel free to bring your own picnic. Parking, at the entrance, is extensive (free for NT members) with disabled spaces; Parking gets busy on fine weekends, school holidays & Bank holidays so try to arrive before 11.00 on sunny days!

7. Ripley Castle and Gardens

Ripley, Harrogate HG3 3AY England +44 1423 770152 [email protected] http://www.ripleycastle.co.uk/
Excellent
56%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1,026 reviews

Ripley Castle and Gardens

Reviewed By frankart_10 - Lymington, United Kingdom

We visited the castle on a rather wet day, and strangely, as part of a holiday mostly looking at steam railways. But no matter. I'm so very pleased that this visit was fitted into the schedule. The castle is still in private ownership, it's a very fine building, dating back several hundred years, where it's been in the ownership of the same family. The rooms are well stocked with fine family portraits and the furniture and possessions, and are well worth taking a long look at. There's a good collection of curios, guns and armour, and the grounds are extensive, supporting a large heard of deer, which can often been seen as you wander around the deer park The walled garden could do with a bit of attention, but there are also two excellent shops and a very good tea room. But for me the highlight was the guided tour. The lady who took us round was full of information, interspersed with some extremely witty anecdotes about the family. Just so highly entraining as well as informative. I though this a most excellent visit.

8. RHS Garden Harlow Carr

Harlow Carr Gardens Crag Lane, Harrogate HG3 1QB England +44 845 265 8070 [email protected] http://www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/harlow-carr
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,746 reviews

RHS Garden Harlow Carr

Reviewed By 869victoriac - Doncaster, United Kingdom

Lovely afternoon spent walking around these gardens The Gardena are beautiful. Felt safe we all COVID-19 precautions I place at Harlow Care, plant centre and shop also very good with great selection of plants, books and local gifts. Bettys tearoom also very good great food and service.

9. Newby Hall and Gardens

Off the A1 in between Ripon and Boroughbridge, Ripon HG4 5AE England +44 1423 322583 [email protected] http://www.newbyhall.com
Excellent
63%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 830 reviews

Newby Hall and Gardens

A fantastic family day out. Amazing Adventure Playground, Spectacular Gardens and Elegant Georgian House. Dollshouse Exhibition, Teddy Bear House, Sculpture park, Restaurant & Shop..the perfect place to meet up with friends and family

Reviewed By joannabE1718GW - Cumbria, United Kingdom

I have been coming to a Newby since a tiny child and am now in my forties so this place is full of nostalgia for me. If you are looking for modern, bling, fast food etc then this may not be for you! This is a oasis for nature lovers, gardeners, lovers of historic houses and children with imagination who are happy with traditional style pleasures and good old fashioned playing. The adventure playground is in the old walled garden. It has swing boats, climbing frames, swings, a zip wire, paddle boats, a sand pit etc . Pretty much the only thing that has changed is the addition of water jets rather than the blue painted paddling pool that was formerly there. The miniature railway is a favourite for all ages and of considerable length - a great way to glimpses of the gardens which are absolutely stunning to explore. The Hall itself is beautiful and the restaurant, plant shop and gift shop are well worth a visit. There is also an amazing dolls house exhibition, sculpture garden, teddy bear museum and replica Crown Jewels exhibition. My only constructive criticism is that the coffee served in the restaurant is very bitter - almost undrinkable! and the cup size seems to have got smaller! For me - the beauty of Newby is that it doesn’t change - it retains its uncommercialised magic and just gets better!

10. Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

Ingleton, Yorkshire Dales National Park LA6 3ET England +44 15242 41930 [email protected] http://www.ingletonwaterfallstrail.co.uk/
Excellent
66%
Good
24%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,704 reviews

Ingleton Waterfalls Trail

A 4½ mile trail, via a series of spectacular waterfalls, through ancient woodland and beautiful Yorkshire Dales scenery.

Reviewed By bauchtan - Liverpool, United Kingdom

We did the trail as a family the other weekend, and it was a beautiful day to do the walk. It was quite busy but with the clear covid signs along the walk and maintaining social distance i believed most people followed this. We also stayed at the Falls Park which you pass half way onto your walk, a stunning location of scenery and peacefulness with only a few static homes to rent - nothing quite like having dinner on the patio and seeing a deer nibbling on some grass! There is a beautiful ran cafe at the entrance of Falls Park where you walk past half way around the walk, and you can stop for a drink or a bite to eat including some delicious ice creams (better choices than the ice cream van just before, and less of a queue!) and you have the option of sitting at tables listening to the sound of the next waterfall your about to pass - what more can you want! Here there is also a toilet block which was lovely and clean. I absolutely love doing this walk and it's also dog friendly and it's wonderful to see people splashing around under Thornton Force Falls, on a safe and nice day that is! There's also a little cabin shack just before this waterfall - a blessing on a hot day! Would hugely recommend the Waterfalls Walk and if your looking to stay Falls Park is the perfect location!

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