60th Anniversary

This year the North York Moors is celebrating 60 years as a National Park. It was created on 28 November 1952 and became Britain’s sixth National Park, designated for its extensive unspoilt scenery within such easy reach of populated areas. Today there are 15 National Parks in the UK – special places protected for everyone to experience and enjoy.

Within a relatively small space, the North York Moors packs in woodland, lush green dales, rolling heather moorland, a wonderful coastline and picturesque villages. Add in wildlife, a rich and intriguing wealth of heritage, plenty of opportunities for excitement and adventure and it’s easy to understand why the place is held dear to those who live here and the millions who visit each year.

We have a number of exciting events planned to celebrate our diamond anniversary

Events at the Inspired by... Gallery

The Moors National Park Centre, Danby

Inspired Landscape Exhibition

Sunday 13 May - Tuesday 17 July

To mark the diamond anniversary of the North York Moors National Park, the celebrations will start with an exhibition by five renowned artists at the very top of their respective fields. Artists Peter Hicks, Len Tabner and William Tillyer will be joined by photographer Joe Cornish and Gillies Jones Glass for ‘Inspired Landscape’, an exhibition of new work at the Inspired by… Gallery, Danby. Linking them all is the North York Moors, the place where they live and are inspired. The exhibition is supported by a grant from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Free entry

An audience with the artists

Friday 25 May

Join us for a once in a lifetime opportunity to find out what inspires and motivates these exceptional artists. Starts 6pm. £10 including canapés and drinks. After event meal available in the Woolly Sheep café, please ring for details.

This is a bookable event, please book early to avoid disappointment. T: 01439 772737

Connected with Landscape

Friday 8 June

Conversations between artists of the North York Moors, Joe Cornish, Kate Jones and Peter Hicks. Starts 6pm. £10 including canapés and drinks. After event meal available in the Woolly Sheep café, please ring for details.

This is a bookable event, please book early to avoid disappointment. T: 01439 772737

Your Place Saturday

21 July - Sunday 19 August

An exhibition of inspiring and expressive pieces of art from local artists, invoking the special qualities of the North York Moors. ‘Your Place’ will offer 60 spaces at the Inspired by… Gallery to up and coming artists of all genres whose work captures the landscape, wildlife and atmosphere of the area.
There’s also a chance to Meet the Artists on 21 July (10am-5pm), with musical interludes provided by accomplished harpist Sarah Dean.

Like to be part of ‘Your Place’? Are you inspired by the North York Moors? We’re giving arts and crafts people whose work draws on the landscape, wildlife or just the mood of the National Park, the chance to raise awareness and sell their artwork during a four week exhibition at our beautiful Inspired by… Gallery.

The gallery is part of The Moors National Park Centre, which attracts over 110,000 visitors each year. ‘Your Place’ runs from 21 July to 19 August and will feature exhibits from 60 creatives whose work captures the area’s special qualities. The exhibition is part of the 60th anniversary celebrations for the North York Moors National Park and is supported by a grant from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
See full Terms and Conditions and Application Form for more details. The deadline for submission of artwork for inclusion in Your Place is 31 March 2012.

Other events

Terrarium - Dance in a Bubble – various locations

July to August

Bring the whole family and a picnic to experience one of the highlights of the North York Moors National Park’s 60th Anniversary celebrations…

Terrarium is a new dance performance, created by choreographer Simon Birch, which takes place in a 4.5 metre diameter bubble. The performances will run from the end of July into August, in a range of stunning locations.

Birch and his creative team have distilled the beauty and wildness of the moors and coast in this highly original artwork. Terrarium highlights the importance of conserving our natural landscapes and recognising that all our lives are caught in the cycle of nature.

There will also be a series of guided walks, displays and open rehearsals from May to August 2012.

For more information and booking visit www.yorkshiredance.com, or call Yorkshire Dance on 0113 243 8765.

Moorland Festival, Sutton Bank National Park Centre

Sunday 29 July, 11am–4.30pm

As the heart of the Park begins to turn purple, spend the day discovering our amazing moorland heritage. A living history group will bring the sights and smells of the moorland to life. Launching National Parks Week too, there’ll be lots going on throughout the day, including storytelling, face painting, food tasting and craft making. You can even become a celt for the day!

Dry stone walling demonstration. Meet the rangers. Moorland management and conservation. All about bees. Moorland sheep and ways with wool.

Drop in event – no need to book
Wheelchair accessible

Other events include an exhibition of photographs illustrating the physical and cultural changes the area has seen in its first 60 years and a short story competition with local schools based on the unusual and weird place names in the moors. Stories will be displayed and winners announced in a special exhibition during the anniversary week in November 2012.

More information on the 60th anniversary events will also be available in the free Out and About Guide, which people can pick up from National Park and Tourist Information Centres from Easter.