North York Moors

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Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Plan ahead. Enjoy our spaces. Share with care.Plan ahead. Enjoy our spaces. Share with care.

Covid-19 update (21 June 2021)

Step 3 of the roadmap remains in place. We're delighted to give you a warm welcome to the National Park. Remember some restrictions remain in place and Government guidance advises that if you’re going to travel, you should plan ahead and travel safely.

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 30 (from any number of households) but you must not interact with anyone outside of your own group. You can make a personal choice on whether to keep your distance from your friends and family, but you are encouraged to exercise caution and consider the guidance on associated risks and actions you can take to help keep you and your loved ones safe.

Remember social distancing requirements to stay 2 metres apart continue to apply in businesses, at public venues and on public transport, as does wearing a face covering in many indoor settings, such as shops and on public transport, unless you are exempt or have a reasonable excuse. Indoor venues and attractions must only be accessed in groups of up to 6 people or 2 households of any size, unless an exemption applies.

Before you head out of the door, make sure you Know Before You Go and plan your trip carefully as some visitor facilities may still be closed. We've ideas on where to go to avoid the crowds, the latest information on which attractions are open in the North York Moors area as well as car parks and toilets.

You must stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms or are self-isolating.

For now we must continue to proceed with caution and act responsibly to protect local communities, our friends and families, and other visitors. Please help do your bit.

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

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 for road closures as well as any planned roadworks, as there may be lengthy diversions in place.
  • Stay safe: Clean your hands regularly. Bring hand sanitiser for use after touching shared surfaces (gates, stiles etc) and wash your hands as soon as you are back indoors. Remember weather conditions can change quickly. Are you fully equipped? Plan ahead and be prepared – and read our advice on staying safe.
  • Avoid popular spots: Large gatherings at beauty spots can make social distancing from people outside of your own group 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 park on verges or block gates, which restricts 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..
  • Countryside Code - Respect. Protect. EnjoyFollow The Countryside Code #RespectProtectEnjoy
    If you do are heading out into the North York Moors, please follow The Countryside Code:
    ➜ Respect everyone: be considerate to those living in, working in and enjoying the countryside; leave gates and property as you find them; do not block access to gateways or driveways when parking; be nice, say hello, share the space; follow local signs and keep to marked paths
    ➜ Protect the environment: take your litter and dog poo home – leave no trace of your visit; do not light fires and only have BBQs where signs say you can; always keep dogs under control, preferably on a lead; care for nature – do not cause damage or disturbance
    ➜ Enjoy the outdoors: check your route and local conditions; plan your adventure – know what to expect and what you can do; enjoy your visit, have fun, make a memory
  • Respect wildlife and livestock: It’s lambing and breeding season for birds that nest on the ground so it's very important to keep your dog under close control, preferably on a short lead (less than 2 metres) when near farm animals, and also on moorland until 31 July. An excitable puppy or dog can cause real stress and harm to pregnant sheep and lambs. If cattle act aggressively, it is safer if you let your dog off the lead. Other wildlife, such as baby deer, may have moved into the spaces we left behind so stick to defined routes and tread carefully. 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.
  • Be our 'eyes and ears': North Yorkshire has the greatest number of confirmed incidents of raptor persecution. Find out how you can help by being our 'eyes and ears' and report any sightings of dead or injured birds or poisoned bait sites as part of Operation Owl. Please be aware that not all trapping methods are illegal, and that many responsible land managers will use legal methods to control certain species of birds and mammals. North Yorkshire Police has further information to help you recognise illegal pole traps. Please report suspicious incidents by calling 101 and ask that details are passed on to a Wildlife Crime Officer.
  • Remember wild camping is unlawful: 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.

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.

New to the countryside?

We’ve pulled together some useful info on how you can keep it special, share the North York Moors with everyone and everything, and have a great time whether you’re on foot, bike or horse or just hanging around with friends and family. #ShareWithCare

National Park Authority services from 17 May

Government advice continues to be that we should work from home if we can, so the National Park HQ at The Old Vicarage in Helmsley is currently closed to the public. Our staff can meet you in the office or out on site if this is arranged in advance.

You can still reach us by telephone (01439 772700) and email in the usual way on general@northyorkmoors.org.uk. Our Reception staff are working at home to answer phone calls and emails during normal office hours (9am–5pm Monday to Friday).

Planning service

We continue to provide an effective planning service. Planning Officers are now available to meet on site or at the office in Helmsley by prior appointment and subject to adherence to the Authority’s Covid-19 safeguarding protocol (in the case of pre-application advice this will be subject to the normal fees). Further details of the service are available in the Planning service coronavirus webpage.

With the likely lifting of national restrictions scheduled for 19 July, and the ending of the temporary regulations allowing virtual/remote public decision making meetings, Planning Committees will return to pre-covid arrangements and face-to-face meetings open to the public will take place. The scheduled Planning Committee for 15 July will most likely take place at Helmsley Arts Centre (Old Meeting House, 1, Meeting House Court, Helmsley, York YO62 5DW). Further advice and details of precautions will be set out in due course; any changes in government advice prior to 15 July will be followed.

National Park facilities

All of our car parks and toilets are open. Please check the latest information on our car parks and toilets page.

Our National Park Centres at Sutton Bank and Danby have reopened although we have restricted access to some activities and facilities to ensure that social distancing is suitably maintained inside. Our outdoor grounds and toilets are open but toilets may be operating at a reduced capacity to assist with social distancing; you may also find them closed for additional cleaning during the day, please be patient.

Sutton Bank Bikes is open Thursday-Monday (10am-5pm). Bike hire is also available (10am-4.30pm) but please call 01845 597759 to make a booking.

Park Life Café is offering limited inside seating and a takeaway service at Sutton Bank. At The Moors National Park Centre, Park Life Café customers are also able to sit inside and outside in accordance with Government guidance. Both cafés are open 10am-5pm daily. Please follow their one-way system, and stick to social distancing rules and any procedures they have in place.

Further guidance 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.

These measures will remain under constant review.

Volunteering

Many volunteers are now back into their roles, both individual volunteering roles and in groups. The way in which we work has changed a lot over the last 12 months and the way in which some volunteering groups are organised will be different. Each line manager will continue to be working at their own pace and inviting their volunteers back as soon as they are able.

There is no pressure for any volunteer to return to their role unless they feel completely comfortable doing so. We do not have any restrictions on volunteering based on age or vulnerability, but we are asking that everyone thinks carefully about their own situation and follow all Government and National Park guidance.

Thank you again for your continued patience and we look forward to continuing to get back to volunteering in the North York Moors.

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 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

Specific support and advice for the tourism sector

  • Get involved in Project Thrive - we're working with North York Moors Tourism Network on how tourism businesses can develop a stronger off-peak season and what we need to do to target additional markets with product development. You can also join the very supportive online Tourism Network community.
  • Apply to our Local businesses tourism contribution grant scheme. Projects could include setting up an event, adapting your offer to enable you to join one of our activity friendly schemes or encouraging off-peak visits. Applications will be dealt with on a first come first served basis. Grants of up to £10,000 are available.
  • VisitEngland Business Advice HubVisit England/Visit Britain latest information is specific to the tourism industry. A dedicated page on their Business Advice Hub signposts tourism businesses to the latest Government health advice, how to manage staff, cleaning guidance and financial support.
  • VisitEngland's ‘We’re Good To Go’ industry standard enables businesses to reassure your customers that you are adhering to Government and public health guidelines and have carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment. Complete a self-assessment via the online platform to receive a certification for your business and the ‘We’re Good To Go’ mark to display on your premises and online.
  • Ryedale District Council has pulled together a comprehensive list of support available to tourism businesses.
  • The Visit York Members and Partners web page provides key updates and useful resources.
  • Welcome to Yorkshire's Business Support pages include updates, toolkits and examples of best practice from across the industry
  • We'd love to know if you're a food business operating special services within your local community. Email tourism@northyorkmoors.org.uk to be added to our interactive map.
  • Artisan Whitby have set up a pop-up community initiative to support local artists, artisans and craft producers through creating an online market square. If you make and sell your own produce you can add a listing.

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