Viewpoints
There are countless places within the North York Moors National Park to stop and ‘take in the view’. You will find below a selection of places where people with limited mobility can experience fantastic vistas.
The nearest accessible public toilet facilities are also given with an indication of how distant they are. Please refer to the ‘Accessible toilets’ the North York Moors’ section for further details.
There are of course many other viewpoints in the National Park from which to appreciate the breathtaking scenery of the North York Moors. A quick study of an Ordnance Survey map. for the area will reveal a plethora of hidden wonders for you to discover. Maps of the area are available from our Online Shop.
Bell Heads
An excellent vantage point overlooking woods and the upper Hackness valley.
OS Grid Reference: SE 968 911
How to get there: One kilometre north of Hackness on the road to Silpho at the top of a steep bank
Nearest accessible facilities: Scarborough (6km)
Blue Bank
Views across the Little Beck Valley to the Heritage Coast beyond and Whitby.
OS Grid Reference: NZ 867 057
How to get there: 1.25km south of Sleights on the A169
Nearest accessible facilities: Whitby (7km)
Carlton Bank
Fantastic views north and west to Teesside. You are quite likely to see people gliding and hang gliding nearby.
OS Grid Reference: NZ 522 032
How to get there: Two kilometres SE of Carlton-in-Cleveland on the road to Chop Gate
Nearest accessible facilities: Osmotherley (13km)
Cowhouse Bank
A small viewpoint and car park where you can enjoy stunning views across Bransdale – moors and forest.
OS Grid Reference: SE 613 887
How to get there: Leave the A170 Helmsley to Scarborough road on the edge of Helmsley following the minor road signed to Carlton. Follow the road for about 5km passing through Carlton. The viewpoint is on the left of the road
Nearest accessible facilities: Helmsley (5km)
Clay Bank
This viewpoint is halfway up the slopes of the Cleveland Hills with the fells rising out of the forest to the south and a panorama of Kildale, Roseberry Topping and Teesside stretching away to the North.
OS Grid Reference: NZ 572 036
How to get there: Follow the B1257 south from Stokesley. The car park is situated approximately 4km south of the village of Great Broughton - 5km north of Chop Gate on B1257
Nearest accessible facilities: Chop Gate (5km)
Gillamoor - Surprise View
The aptly named Surprise View reveals a glorious panorama across Douthwaite Dale to the moors above Farndale and Hutton le Hole.
OS Grid Reference: SE 685 901
How to get there: In the village of Gillamoor by the side of the church, 5km north of Kirkbymoorside
Nearest accessible facilities: Kirkbymoorside (5km)
Helmsley Bank
Great views north across Roppa Forest to East Moors and Helmsley Moor. You’ll also see the sculpture by Austin Wright, which was commissioned in 1975 by the Yorkshire Arts Association. In the words of the artist: “It is one of those special places where for the first time you get a comprehensive view of the moorlands where both the land and the sky open out wide. I think the of the sculpture as an acknowledgement of this: it concerns itself entirely with the view, like an eye, open to it.”
OS Grid Reference: SE 594 904
How to get there: 7km north of Helmsley on the road which goes past the sports field and Baxton’s Grange and Middle Baxton’s Farm
Nearest accessible facilities: Helmsley (7km)
Highwood Brow
There are two small parking areas with viewpoints having fine outlooks over Troutsdale and the Upper Derwent Valley. There is easy access to the main viewing area and seats are provided.
OS Grid Reference: SE 943 889
How to get there: Leave A170 at Wykeham for North Moor. After about 7km you will reach a T-junction, the car park is opposite
Nearest accessible facilities: Scarborough (16km)
Newgate Bank
A small picnic area amongst pines with outstanding views of Bilsdale and across to Hawnby.
OS Grid Reference: SE 563 890
How to get there: Follow the B1257 north from Helmsley for about 8km. Access to the viewpoint is at the top of the bank on the eastern (right) side of the road
Nearest accessible facilities: Helmsley (8km)
Peak Scar
Splendid views north to Arden and Hawnby Moors.
OS Grid Reference: SE 524 883
How to get there: 7km N of Sutton Bank, 3km SW of Hawnby. Park at the side of the road
Nearest accessible facilities: Sutton Bank National Park Centre (7km)
Ravenscar
Roadside lay-by overlooking the Heritage Coast with Robin Hood’s Bay in the distance.
OS Grid Reference: NZ 981 015
How to get there: 21km S of Whitby, off the A171
Nearest accessible facilities: Ravenscar
Rudland Rigg
Come here for extensive views over the moors.
OS Grid Reference: SE 659 926
How to get there: 8km NNW of Kirkbymoorside. On the road to Bransdale from Kirkbymoorside there are several places to enjoy views over the moorland. The very rough track over Rudland Rigg is not suitable for light vehicles
Nearest accessible facilities: Kirkbymoorside (8km)
Runswick Bay (Bank Top)
This cliff top viewpoint and car park has stunning views out to sea and along the Heritage Coast.
OS Grid Reference: NZ 808 161
How to get there: 2km E of Hinderwell, off the A174
Nearest accessible facilities: Staithes, Bank Bottom (5km); Scaling Dam (7km)
Sandsend
Excellent spot for catching a sea breeze – close to the picturesque village of Sandsend.
OS Grid Reference: NZ 860 128
How to get there: 4km N of Whitby on the A174 at the bottom of Lythe Bank
Nearest accessible facilities: Whitby (4km)
Saltergate Bank
This large viewpoint and car park overlooks the spectacular geological feature, known as the Hole of Horcum and the Levisham Estate. The area is owned and looked after by the National Park Authority and an accessible mobile information point is on site during the summer months.
OS Grid Reference: SE 854 936
How to get there: 12km NE of Pickering by the side of the A169
Nearest accessible facilities: Goathland (10km); Pickering (12km)
Scaling Dam
Great views over Scaling Reservoir. Accessible bird hide (NZ 739 126) & accessible fishing available. Telephone 01287 640214/640540 for details.
OS Grid Reference: NZ 756 128
How to get there: 11km W of Sandsend and 15km E of Guisborough, off the A171
Nearest accessible facilities: Eastern end of Scaling Dam
Sheepwash
Parking by the side of a moorland stream. This is often a very busy spot in the summer.
OS Grid Reference: SE 469 994
How to get there: 3km NE of Osmotherley on the road to Swainby
Nearest accessible facilities: Osmotherley (3km); Swainby (3km)
Square Corner - Thimbleby Moor
Fantastic views across the Vale of Mowbray.
OS Grid Reference: SE 479 957
How to get there: 4km E of Osmotherley on the road to Hawnby
Nearest accessible facilities: Osmotherley (4km)
Whitby
Cliff top car park and picnic field with wonderful views over the harbour.
OS Grid Reference: NZ 904 113
How to get there: Follow signs from Whitby to the Abbey. Abbey Plains car park
Nearest accessible facilities: Whitby
