Sutton Bank National Park Centre

Family on path at Sutton Bank by Chris J Parker

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. For directions and opening times for the National Park Centre and Sutton Bank Bikes, go to Planning your visit.

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

Bike, run, walk, climb, glide - find out about the amazing world of adventure awaiting for you at Sutton Bank in our film.

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

Know before you go - covid-19 updates (16 August 2021)

We are continuing to manage our site with measures in place to keep everyone safe, including enhanced cleaning regimes. You'll also find hand sanitisers available to use around the Centre.

Face coverings are no longer required by law, but Government recommends that people should continue to wear them in crowded areas, to protect yourselves, and your friends and family. Our staff are continuing to wear face coverings in busy areas and indoor spaces, and you are very welcome to wear a mask inside the National Park Centre. Remember everyone’s choice is personal – please be kind and respectful.

Please don’t visit if you have Covid symptoms, however mild, or have had a positive COVID-19 result.

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 and has a Risk Assessment in place.

We hope you enjoy your time with us!

We’re all in this together!

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!

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

Sutton Bank Bikes and cycle trails

Bring your own bike or hire one on site and enjoy the fantastic cycling facilities at Sutton Bank, developed by PACE cycles and the National Park Authority. It's a great place to get your family cycling, providing access to many miles of bridleways, roads and tracks across the North York Moors.

Our cycle trails use a mixture of natural and man made trails similar to those found in a purpose built trail centre. Using the same style of trail marking, the mountain biking trails available are:

Cliff - family friendly 3 mile 'green' circular off-road cycle trail, mostly level, part of which follows the famous cliff edge.
Fort - 7.5 mile 'blue' trail with 361m ascent/descent (70% stone, 30% natural surface) runs out past the site of the Iron Age fort at Boltby Scar. A shorter loop of 5.5 miles avoids the ascent/descent and is suitable for families. The Fort route also includes part of the Cliff Trail along the cliff edge.
Drovers - add a little more distance and variety without increasing the difficulty on the 'blue' 10 mile figure of eight trail which passes High Paradise Farm for refreshments.
Paradise - a 17-mile 'red' trail for experienced mountain bikers, through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the National Park. Expect a few technical features and a steep climb or two.

We also have 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.

Please note the pump track and cyclocross loop will be closed to the public from 9am-12.30pm on 30 October for an event. A signed diversion will be in place showing how to access the wider network of trails (Fort/Paradise/Drovers).

Unlike a trail centre, large parts of our routes make use of existing bridleways that are shared with walkers and horse riders. Please consider other users, and expect to come across some gates too.

There is also a purpose-built bike skills area and bike wash.

Sutton Bank Bikes

The independently operated Sutton Bank Bikes is open Thursday - Monday (10am-5pm) for training and skills courses, repair and servicing, and a fully stocked cycle shop. Please note, opening times do differ to the National Park Centre. 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.

Sutton Bank adventure play area

There's a fabulous play area outside, using natural landscape features to provide a place for adventure and fun for younger children.

Come and enjoy two quirky treehouses, a stone castle, three magical stone roundhouses, the large sandpit with a 'play tree' in the centre, a mud kitchen, go log clambering over the 'swamp' and enjoy den

Experience England's finest view

A stroll along the wheelchair-accessible path from the Centre to the sensational viewpoint is a must or go south along the dramatic escarpment to the famous Kilburn White Horse.

Walking around Sutton Bank

The booklet Walks around Sutton Bank has five glorious walks from the Centre. The guide will help you unearth the deeper story of the rich landscapes beneath your feet. Available to purchase in the Centre.

Wheelchair loan and Tramper hire

For those with limited mobility, we offer wheelchair loan (no need to pre-book) or you can hire out a Tramper (pre-booking essential), an electric all-terrain mobility scooter from the Centre.

To hire the Tramper, you must be an existing member of the North York Moors Mobility scheme. Members can currently hire it on Monday - Friday on a pre-booked basis (one slot is available daily from 11am-3pm). Non-members can sign up and receive training on Mondays to Fridays too (pre-booking also required). To make a booking, please calling 01845 597426 or email.

Star and Nature hub

Our brand new hub opened in September 2021 and is perfect for enjoying nature and the spectacular night skies above.

For nature lovers, find out which birds and animals you could spot at Sutton Bank, while outside, a bird sound station will help you identify different songs.

For stargazers, explore the changing skies throughout the year on our rotating dark skies drum or book on to a stargazing event and spend an evening with an expert. Along with an outside seating area perfect for stargazers to look upwards, if the weather is not playing ball, you can head inside the hub and experience a virtual tour of the universe.

The hub will be one of the venues for the Dark Skies Fringe Festival (22-31 October). You can also book onto one of astronomer Richard Darn's stargazing events at Sutton Bank this autumn and winter.

Nature lab

This summer and autumn, help us decide the future of our indoor interactive exhibition space by taking part in fun and family-friendly science projects. Discover life under the microscope, move virtual mountains to investigate water flow with our augmented reality sandbox, become a River Ranger and display your art in a pop-up wildlife gallery. Once you've tested our exhibits, tell us what you most enjoyed!

It's all part of the Ryevitalise Landscape Partnership, who are restoring and enhancing the River Rye and its tributaries, as well as encouraging people to reconnect with the history, cultural heritage and wildlife of the area. The project is supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund, North York Moors National Park Authority and other partners.

Need a gift or a souvenir to take home?

The National Park shop prides itself on being a great place to purchase something unique from or about the area. You’ll find a quality selection of locally-produced goods, including Joe Cornish cards and calendars, a variety of food and drink, ceramics, ironwork, stained glass, textiles, natural skincare products and even potato prints.

We also stock a wide selection of maps and books about the North York Moors, including ideas for walking and cycling. Our knowledgeable National Park Centre team are always happy to offer advice and suggestions for things to do in the area too.

With your appetite whetted you'll find plenty to occupy you in this stunning corner of the National Park.

Essential information

Car parking

We have recently moved to card payment only ticket machines in our car parks at Sutton Bank.

Alternatively PayByPhone is 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.

Park Life Café (open 10am-5pm daily)

Pop in to the independently run Park Life Café and enjoy their delicious menu and great coffee. There's indoor and courtyard seating, and a takeaway service. It's dog friendly too. Please follow their one-way system, and any procedures they have in place.

Hire a bike from Sutton Bank Bikes and receive a 10% discount in Park Life Café. You'll need to show your bike hire receipt as proof.

Opening hours for the café may be different to the rest of the Centre. It's worth checking their Facebook page for the latest on opening hours.

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.

Sutton Bank National Park Centre: the Gateway to the North York Moors project

The new Star and nature hub is part of the Sutton Bank National Park Centre: the Gateway to the North York Moors project, funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe investing in rural areas.

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

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