6 July 2023
Keldy Forest in the North York Moors has become the fifth location in the National Park with its own all-terrain mobility vehicle, known as a Tramper, available for visitors to hire. Forest Holidays at Keldy joins Sutton Bank National Park Centre, Ravenscar Visitor Centre, Dalby Forest Visitor Centre and Forest Holidays at Cropton as landscapes that can now be enjoyed by all.
This year, work to open-up the National Park to more people with accessibility requirements has been recognised with a national award. The North York Moors Accessibility project, led by VisitEngland, saw local businesses and attractions enhance their awareness and facilities and encourage more people with additional needs to take short breaks in the region. The collaboration, which included ‘mystery shopping’ by local people with disabilities, partnerships with disabled influencers and an ‘inspirational’ YouTube video, scooped Digital PR Campaign of the Year at the TravMedia Awards.
In parallel to this achievement, the National Park Authority has continued its work with Outdoor Mobility to introduce Trampers in more locations around the North York Moors, and now Forest Holidays at Keldy has become the latest location to introduce its own bookable vehicle. A second Tramper has also been made available for hire at Sutton Bank National Park Centre.
Users of the Tramper network in the North York Moors include 17-year old Evie Cass from Kirkbymoorside, who takes the opportunity to join her family on routes she wouldn’t otherwise be able to manage. Evie said:
“We’ve always been an outdoorsy family and walking with the dogs in the countryside was something I did daily. The fact that I can still get out on a Tramper and spend time in the woods or see the view from Sutton Bank is so lovely. They’re easy to use and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone.”
For those visiting from further afield, the North York Moors Accessibility project saw 12 tourism businesses, including accommodation and activity providers, develop their offer for those with additional requirements.
Catriona McLees, Head of Marketing and Communications at the North York Moors National Park Authority, said:
“The work with VisitEngland on the Accessibility Project has been extremely valuable for both ourselves and each of the businesses involved. It has truly galvanised commitments to be ambitious and progressive when it comes to access for all, and we are delighted to see the work recognised with a national award.”
Those wanting to use a Tramper can visit outdoormobility.org to become a member and to book a vehicle. Membership starts from £2.50 for a two-week taster, with annual membership costing only £10. This gives access to a growing network of Trampers across England and there is no additional fee at any of the North York Moors sites.
For more information about other accessible days out in the North York Moors, please visit www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/easyaccess
ENDS
Media contact
Nina Beadle
Communications Officer, North York Moors National Park Authority
press@northyorkmoors.org.uk
01439 772577
The North York Moors National Park
The North York Moors is a beautiful landscape of stunning moorland, ancient woodland and historic sites. Created on 28 November 1952, it become Britain’s sixth national park. Covering an area of 554 square miles (1,436 square kilometres) the National Park has 26 miles of coastline, two national nature reserves, 840 Scheduled Monuments and over 3,000 listed buildings, attracting an estimated 7.7 million visitors a year.
The National Park has two visitor centres, Danby Lodge National Park Centre and Sutton Bank National Park Centre, providing opportunities for cycling, walking, eating, picnicking, shopping, crafts and wildlife-watching. The centre in Danby also houses the Inspired by… gallery, which features regularly changing exhibitions by artists who draw their inspiration from the North York Moors.
The North York Moors National Park Authority works with a wide variety of people to care for this beautiful corner of Yorkshire, providing apprenticeships and volunteering opportunities with nearly 14% of staff being apprentices from local families. To view other press releases and for further information about the North York Moors National Park, visit www.northyorkmoors.org.uk
About Forest Holidays
From the shores of Loch Long to the Cornish Coast, Forest Holidays offers holidays and short breaks in some of the UK’s most spectacular natural settings, helping people experience and reconnect with forests, each other and rural communities.
Forest Holidays long-standing partnership with Natural Resources Wales, Forestry England and Forestry & Land Scotland supports the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of Great Britain’s forests, as well as providing a sustainable income stream which helps them to manage forests to the highest standards on behalf of us all.
Proving that tourism and nature can be a force for good, Forest Holidays has recently gained recognition for its long-term commitment to conservation and is the only business of its kind to be awarded a Land and Wildlife Conservation Impact Business Model.
Cabins offer the best of the outdoors with all the comforts of indoors and are architecturally designed to fit sensitively within the woodland environment.