Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Stay apart. Act responsibly. Save lives.

The National Park has been here waiting for you and now that restrictions on the tourism industry are relaxing, we're looking forward to welcoming you back when you are ready to return.

From 4 July, following changes in Government guidance, you'll be able to meet in groups of up to two households (your support bubble counts as one household) in any location (inside or out). When outside, you can continue to meet in groups of up to six people from different households. In all cases, you should social distance from anyone you do not live with or is not part of your support bubble.

Even after 4 July, the Government recommends that you keep two metres away from people where possible or one metre when you can mitigate the risk by taking other precautions.

Before you head out of the door, make sure you Know Before You Go and plan your trip carefully. We've ideas on where to go and we’ve pulled together a map giving you the latest information on which attractions and activity providers are open in the North York Moors area.

For now we must proceed with caution and act responsibly to protect local communities and other visitors. Please help do your bit and thank you for social distancing.

We will be constantly reviewing all government advice and will provide updates here accordingly.

Our latest statements

Guidelines for accessing the National Park responsibly #RespectProtectEnjoy

If you’re visiting the North York Moors, please do follow our guidelines:

Know Before You Go and plan ahead: Before travelling here, please check online to see if facilities are open first. It’s also worth checking North Yorkshire County Council’s interactive roadworks map as they are undertaking surface dressing on a number of roads this month with local diversions in place.

Stay safe: Public Rights of Way everywhere remain open as permitted by law, but we ask you to follow Government advice to observe social distancing guidelines. Clean your hands regularly. Bring hand sanitiser for use after touching shared surfaces (gates, stiles etc).

Avoid popular spots: Large gatherings at beauty spots will only make social distancing incredibly difficult. If you arrive at a site that is already busy, go elsewhere or come another time. If car parks are full, remember do not block access for local residents, farm vehicles or emergency services, find an alternative. We have created a list of car parks within the National Park to help when planning your day, and some guidance on finding quieter spots to give you the opportunity to explore somewhere new.

Follow The Countryside Code #RespectProtectEnjoy
➜ Respect other people: consider the local community and other people; park carefully so access to gateways is clear, leave gates and property as you find them; and follow paths
➜ Protect the natural environment: leave no trace of your visit and take your litter home; do not have BBQs or fires; keep dogs under control; dog poo - bag it and bin it
➜ Enjoy the outdoors: plan ahead and be prepared; follow advice and local signs and stick with the social distancing

Respect wildlife and livestock: It’s breeding season for birds that nest on the ground so it's very important to keep your dog on a short lead (less than 2 metres) on moorland until 31 July. Other wildlife, such as baby deer, may have moved into the spaces we have left behind so stick to defined routes and keep dogs under close control wherever you are. If you are driving, please slow down and drive with care on moorland roads as there is very likely to be a sheep or bird wandering around the next bend.

Remember wild camping remains illegal: While staying overnight at another home for a holiday is allowed from July 4, wild camping is illegal. Almost all the land in the National Park is privately owned, and you must get the landowner's permission before camping. Some farmers and landowners may allow camping if you ask them, but if in doubt find an official campsite; there are plenty to choose from.

Follow the latest Government advice closely: Find out what you can and can not do after 4 July. Government also regularly updates its guidance on using green spaces while protecting yourself and others. It has issued a guide on how to stay safe outside your home.

If you’re unable to venture out to the North York Moors, check out our website for inspiration, including Nature for all, a roundup of all the best ways to appreciate what’s around us and reconnect with nature from the comfort of your home.

National Park Authority services during COVID-19 restrictions

Whilst the National Park Authority has closed some facilities, it is able to operate the majority of its administrative functions remotely, including Planning, with most of our staff now working from home.

You can still reach us by email in the usual way on general@northyorkmoors.org.uk. This is being monitored from home by our Reception staff during normal office hours. Messages are being passed to colleagues. If you leave a message on our answer machine, these are being picked up on Tuesdays and Thursday each week. This means that response times may be slightly longer than usual. The National Park HQ at The Old Vicarage in Helmsley is currently closed to the public, and all meetings will be taking place via video/teleconference.

National Park facilities

In line with Government guidance, all of our car parks and toilets are open. Please check the latest information on our car parks and toilets page.

Sutton Bank National Park Centre has opened its doors while The Moors National Park Centre and Inspired by… gallery at Danby will reopen on Wednesday 8 July. There are still certain restrictions in place at both Centres. Toilets are open but at a reduced capacity and on reduced hours (10am-3pm); you may also find them closed for additional cleaning during the day, please be patient.

Park Life Café is operating a limited takeaway service at Sutton Bank and will be reopening at The Moors National Park Centre shortly. Please follow their one-way system, and stick to social distancing rules and any procedures they have in place.

The independently operated Sutton Bank Bikes shop will reopen on Monday 6 July.

Please also note that construction is underway on a new cycle trail, cyclocross track and pump track near to Sutton Bank National Park Centre. All marked cycle trails at Sutton Bank are open but there is a signed diversion in place avoiding Hambleton Plantation, which is closed to enable this work to be undertaken safely. Please follow all site instructions displayed.

Further guidance so you know what to expect before you visit and frequently asked questions regarding our gallery, events and activities are available on the Sutton Bank National Park Centre page and The Moors National Park Centre page.

All events, guided walks and other activities organised by ourselves that were planned to take place until 31 August have been cancelled/postponed.

These measures will remain under constant review.

Planning service

We are implementing a number of measures to reduce the risk of spreading the COVID-19 virus which will inevitably mean a reduced and less accessible planning service so we ask applicants and the public to bear with us. Full details of the changes to our services that will apply until further notice are available in the Planning service coronvirus webpage. All face-to-face meetings have been postponed.

Government has introduced legislation to allow public meetings to be held remotely using video or telephone conferencing technology and our Planning Committee on 21 May was held virtually where planning applications requiring Member determination were decided. Further details of this are available on the Planning service coronvirus webpage. We have produced a Virtual Public Meeting Protocol, which sets out how these meetings operate.

Volunteering

Outdoor volunteering is now back under way in a more limited form than usual. Volunteers are being invited to undertake a small number of specific tasks, which can be done safely. We are not yet ready to welcome back our volunteers working in groups, but we are pleased that we are able to take the first steps back towards our normal volunteering activities. We will be concentrating on providing the chance for existing volunteers to get back to work first, so we are not looking to take on anybody else for now. Keep an eye on the website though and we’ll let you know when this changes.

Thanks for your continued patience and we look forward to getting you back out in the North York Moors in the not too distant future.

Community support

Search our interactive map to find out if your local community has a food delivery or collection service.
People in North Yorkshire without access to a support network in urgent need of help, or for signposting someone in need, should get in touch with North Yorkshire County Council’s Customer Service Centre by calling 01609 780780 or find out more on the County Council website.
North Yorkshire County Council is urgently looking for additional staff to support vital health and social care services. Find out how to apply.
Community First Yorkshire is working with partners to co-ordinate community responses, including connecting local people to volunteering opportunities.
Redcar & Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency is acting similarly
The Farming Help Partnership – Addington Fund, Farming Community Network (FCN), Forage Aid, Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution and RSABI, supported by The Prince's Countryside Fund - are working together to support the Farming Community.

General business support

Government COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses
Government’s dedicated Business Support website outlines how to access business support measures
Information about support available to businesses in North Yorkshire can be found via North Yorkshire County Council. This includes links to the relevant sections on the District and Borough Council websites for accessing business rates support, the Small Business Grant Fund, Retail, Hospitality & Leisure Grant Schemes and Discretionary Business Grant Scheme.
The York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership has launched a York and North Yorkshire Growth Hub, offering business advice and support for no charge, including a ‘From Adversity to Recovery’ mentoring programme designed to support SMEs.
Information for businesses located in Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council can be found on its Business Support Information page.
Federation of Small Businesses has advice and guidance for small businesses and the self-employed on reducing the risks from coronavirus. Scarborough Borough Council is currently offering free membership to 300 businesses on a first come, first served basis.
The National Lottery Heritage Fund £50 million Heritage Emergency Fund to support the heritage sector as an immediate response to the coronavirus outbreak is open for applications until 30 June.