Sutton Bank National Park Centre

Family on path at Sutton Bank by Chris J Parker

We are delighted to welcome you to Sutton Bank National Park Centre.

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 Centre 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 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 as we get used to 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 ground 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 for our indoor facilities 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?

The National Park Centre is operating on reduced hours throughout September (daily 10am–4pm)

We have restricted access to some activities and facilities to ensure that social distancing is suitably maintained. For example, some games and interactive displays remain closed.

We've now 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 2km 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 car park ticket machines take cash only but are cleaned on a regular basis. If you prefer to pay by contactless card, please pay for your parking at Reception in the Centre.

Our toilets are open daily from 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.

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

Wheelchair loan and tramper hire

Wheelchair loan and tramper hire is available but must be pre-booked (please call 01845 597426 or email).

To hire the tramper, you must be an existing member of the North York Moors Mobility scheme. Members can currently hire it on Tuesdays and Wednesdays on a pre-booked basis. Non-members can sign up and receive training on Tuesdays and Wednesdays too (pre-booking also required).

Park Life Café

Park Life Café is currently operating a takeaway service with a small number of tables indoors. Please follow their one-way system and any procedures they have in place.

They are also able to take card payments for our car parks if you are unable to buy a ticket from the cash ticket machines or if the queue is too long in the Centre.

Opening hours for the café are different to the shop; these are shown on a chalk board in the courtyard area.

Sutton Bank Bikes

Sutton Bank Bikes has reopened providing cycle hire (pre-booking recommended). 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.

If you have any questions or concerns, please just ask. We want you to have a great time here at Sutton Bank!

These measures will remain under constant review.

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

While the majority of our ticketed events and activities have been cancelled or postponed, we are now able to go ahead with some events and workshops, following Government guidelines. Please check our events calendar for details. Our guided walks programme has been cancelled for 2020 and will return in spring 2021.

We have family treasure hunts and plenty of fun educational activities for children to do throughout the school holidays. 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. For those who have booked on our events until 30 September via Eventbrite, you will receive an automatic refund. If you have booked via any other means i.e. made a booking at the Centre, please contact: tourism@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 wish to get more information regarding a booking or an event please contact tourism@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.