Nature friendly

The North York Moors National Park and surrounding area is one of the best places in the country to enjoy and appreciate nature. You can enjoy summer wildflower meadows, experience wildlife deep in the forest, visit seabird colonies or book on a whale watching activity at the coast. A growing number of businesses are signing up to our Nature friendly initiatives to help you make the most of your stay in the area. There’s so much on offer, you’ll need a longer stay or a few return visits to make the most of it!

Nature friendly

The North York Moors Nature Friendly initiative recognises a wide variety of businesses who offer specific activities, facilities, information or services for the enjoyment of nature in the National Park and surrounding areas. Look out for businesses displaying this logo who have agreed to meet a set of minimum requirements for services and facilities. They’ve also signed up to be part of a collaborative network to collectively promote and celebrate the wonderful wildlife and nature in the North York Moors National Park. Read about the different categories below and plan your stay using our interactive map.

Accommodation providers

Stay in a perfect location for enjoying nature on the premises or close by. A range of accommodation providers are now offering facilities such as maps, books and binoculars to borrow or hire to help you make the most of your stay. The businesses will be able to help with advice on the nearest locations to enjoy wildlife and can even recommend great places to enjoy a brew with a view! They can also point you towards activity providers who offer organised trips.

Food and drink

For many people a key ingredient for an enjoyable day out is a friendly place for lunch or a light snack. Nature Friendly cafés or tea rooms are perfectly located to take in a magnificent view, see wildlife in the garden or enjoy the tranquillity of a forest setting.  The North York Moors and surrounding area has a growing number of businesses offering a friendly welcome to nature lovers with books or charts to identify local species and maybe even nature trails to follow. Some will have binoculars to borrow so you can see things close up whilst you’re there. They can also advise on other things to see and places to visit for the next leg of your nature adventure.

Activity providers

Are you looking for a specialist organised activity or do you want to find the perfect location to spot that illusive bird or animal? Do you need an experienced guide who knows how to view nature safely with minimal disruption to animals or birds? Have a look at our map for businesses who are part of the Nature Friendly initiative or see more Wildlife watching ideas.  

Venues and sites

There are some great venues for enjoying nature around the National Park. Visitor centres or reserves will provide information and interpretation with staff who will be keen to tell you what to see and where. Venues typically have facilities such as cafés and toilets onsite or close by. Sites may be a little more remote and include activities such as rock pooling, venturing deep into a forest or experiencing the remoteness of a moorland walk. Find out more about Wildlife watching for lots of expert tips or look for locations on our Nature Friendly map.

Enjoy nature by bike or on foot

Don’t forget that many of our walks or cycle rides offer fantastic opportunities to experience nature under your own steam. Find out about our cycling routes and our walks for more ideas on how to plan your stay.

Funding

Our Nature friendly initiative has been developed as part of Destination Partnerships Moors and Dales, a partnership project to boost rural tourism across the four protected landscapes within North Yorkshire. Funding for this project has been secured from the Rural Development Programme for England, funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD): Europe investing in rural areas. 

The four protected partnerships are the North York Moors National Park. Yorkshire Dales National Park, Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.