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Sutton Bank National Park Centre

Family on path at Sutton Bank by Chris J ParkerFamily on path at Sutton Bank by Chris J Parker

Welcome back - covid-19 update (12 April 2021)

We have reopened our gift shop and look forward to welcoming you back.

Vet and author James Herriot declared the tremendous view from the dramatic Sutton Bank escarpment over the Vale of Mowbray and the Vale of York, the "finest in England". So why not stop at the top of the bank, visit the shop and blow away the cobwebs with a walk or cycle ride? It's an official Dark Sky Discovery Site too, one of three in the North York Moors.

Entry to the Centre is FREE.

Keep up with the latest news at the Centre by liking the Sutton Bank Facebook page.

Know before you go

Certain restrictions are still in place – and things might change again at any time – so please read the following before you visit and follow any instructions you see on site.

We're Good To Go accreditationWe have received VisitEngland's 'We're Good To Go' kitemark, an accreditation that shows our National Park Centre adheres to all Government and industry Covid-19 safety guidelines, has a Risk Assessment and systems in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.

Please do bear with us and our new ways of working, and we hope you enjoy your time with us!

Please don’t visit if you have symptoms of COVID-19.

What to expect from your visit

  • Our staff have been trained in hygiene and social distancing and provided with Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including face coverings, disposable gloves and eye protection.
  • We have increased cleaning regimes across the Centre and grounds, and have installed hygiene screens at our Reception Desk. Hand sanitisers are also available to use around the Centre.
  • Please be mindful of others’ heath at all times – the hygiene and cleaning routines help us keep you safe.
  • Where required, we have markers on the floor to help you maintain social distancing.
  • Please follow one-way routes where indicated and do not enter through exit doors.
  • There are new capacity limits indoors with signage indicating maximum numbers in the shop. These restrictions ensure there is plenty of room for social distancing.
  • Barriers will be in place, particularly in queuing areas such as the entrance to our shop. Staff may monitor the queues at busy times to ensure that social distancing is being maintained.
  • Don't forget, face coverings must be worn in our shop. We won’t be able to provide you with a face covering; please bring your own so you don’t miss out.
  • Please make payments using a ‘contactless’ bank card, rather than cash, whenever possible.

What's open?

Our gift shop is open daily (10am–4.30pm). Bike trails and all walking trails/rights of way are open.

We've opened two new purpose-built all-weather cycling tracks: a pump track offering the thrills of riding a loop of banked turns and rollers; and a family-friendly cycle trail that doubles as a cyclocross track for some competitive events during autumn and winter. The family cycle trail, a 2.5km figure-of-eight, provides a longer and wider start to the existing Cliff Trail enabling families to ride side-by-side through woodland, as well as providing better access for disabled cyclists who are using hand crank cycles.

The outdoor adventure play area is open. Please wash everyone’s hands thoroughly before and after use and avoid touching your face. Supervise your children carefully – help them have fun while keeping their social distance.

We're also planning to open a new nature hub and dark skies observatory later in the year.

We have recently moved to card payment only ticket machines in our car parks at Sutton Bank. PayByPhone is also available and we recommend downloading the app before your visit. If there's no mobile coverage, you can either move to an area with better network coverage and complete your parking transaction or pay via the Pay & Display machine. The North York Moors National Park page on the PayByPhone website has further information and links to download the app. You can also pay for your parking at Reception in the Centre (10am-4.30pm daily).

All the money raised in this car park is spent on looking after the National Park. Thank you for helping others to enjoy their time here.

Our toilets are open daily (10am-5pm) but may be operating at a reduced capacity to make social distancing easier for you. You may also find them closed for additional cleaning during the day, please be patient as our staff clean the toilets for you.

Wheelchair loan and tramper hire

Wheelchair loan and tramper hire is not currently available. We are looking to restart hire from 17 May.

Park Life Café (open daily)

Park Life Café is operating a takeaway service from their Grab & Go Express hatch (open 10am-5pm daily). Please follow their one-way system, and stick to social distancing rules and any procedures they have in place.

Opening hours for the café are different to the shop; these are shown on a chalk board in the courtyard area. It's also worth checking their Facebook page for the latest updates on opening hours.

Sutton Bank Bikes

The independently operated Sutton Bank Bikes is open daily throughout the Easter school holidays (10am-5pm until 18 April, then open Thursday-Monday 10am-5pm). Bike hire is also available (10am-4.30pm) but please call 01845 597759 to make a booking. Please follow any procedures they have in place. For more information please see their website.

We’re all in this together!

We know these measures and restrictions will have an impact on your visit, but please be kind and considerate to our amazing staff who are looking after the site to keep it safe for you.

You can read our full COVID-19 risk assessment which will be updated as things change.

These measures will remain under constant review. If you have any questions or concerns, please just ask. We want you to have a great time here at Sutton Bank!

While you can now meet friends and family outdoors, remember many restrictions remain in place. When outside meeting friends and family you do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with), this can be in a group of up to six (from any number of households) or in a group of any size from up to two households. We are urging everyone to maintain social distancing from anyone you do not live with or is not part of your support bubble, which means staying two metres apart as well as taking extra steps to stay safe.

Remember large gatherings make social distancing difficult. If you cannot stay two metres away from anyone who is not from your own household or social bubble, you are potentially putting your own lives and the lives of others at risk.

If you see lots of parked cars or people at Sutton Bank, please go elsewhere. If the car parks are full, remember do not block the narrow roads and make access for local residents or emergency services difficult, find an alternative or come back another time.

If you’re thinking of visiting the North York Moors, please follow our guidelines for accessing the National Park responsibly #RespectProtectEnjoy

Frequently asked questions regarding events

We are now able to go ahead with some small-scale events later in the year, following Government guidelines. Please check our Eventbrite page for details. Our guided walks programme will return in June 2021.

We plan to have family treasure hunts and plenty of fun educational activities for children to do throughout the school holidays (from May half-term). Drop in any time to find out more and pick up a trail.

Will I get a refund if I have booked an activity at Sutton Bank National Park Centre?

Yes. If you booked on our events via Eventbrite that we subsequently have to cancel due to covid-19 restrictions, you will receive an automatic refund. If you have booked via any other means i.e. made a booking at the Centre, please email inspiredbygallery@northyorkmoors.org.uk

I have further questions, can I contact someone to find out more?

Yes. Please send a direct message to us on Facebook and we will do our best to help. If you require more information regarding a booking or an event please contact inspiredbygallery@northyorkmoors.org.uk.

Accessibility

Full accessibility description available here.

Facilities

  • Pay and display car park
  • Plenty of cycle parking facilities available
  • Adventure play area
  • Bike shop and bike hire
  • Bike wash
  • Children's trails and activities
  • Craft activities inside
  • Cycle skills area for children plus pump track
  • Cycle trails
  • Free WiFi
  • Gift shop with books, souvenirs, local crafts
  • Park Life Café
  • Picnic area
  • Toilets
  • Tourist Information Centre
  • Walking trails
  • Wheelchair loan and tramper hire (for onsite use)
  • Wildlife viewing area
  • Free Refill for water bottles

Further information

Winter opening - Opening times and planning your visit

Sutton Bank
Thirsk
YO7 2EH
Email
Tel: 01845 597426

Insider tips

Based close by at the top of Sutton Bank, try a taster flight from Yorkshire Gliding Club. Seeing the iconic Kilburn White Horse from above is a real highlight.

Join the conversation

Share your pictures and comments with us – we’d love to hear from you.