North York Moors National Park
 

Learning Zone

Rivers

 

The River Esk provides a valuable home for wildlife Otters live in clean rivers such as the River Esk. They eat fish and eels.

Bubbling streams and peaceful rivers are a beautiful part of the North York Moors landscape.

As well as being lovely to look at, they provide a valuable habitat for wildlife, drinking water for people and farm animals and they are great places for people to enjoy walking, picnics and fishing.  

The two largest rivers in the National Park are the River Esk and the River Derwent. The River Esk starts high up on the moors in Westerdale at a place called Esklets. It flows east and eventually reaches the sea at Whitby.

Find out more

Why are rivers important?

The River Esk

The River Derwent

River Wildlife

How does the National Park Authority help to look after rivers?

How can I help look after rivers?