Due to forest operations, the Jerry Noddle trail is closed.

Visitor information

Dalby Forest, in the heart of the North York Moors National Park offers the perfect place to escape, relax and adventure

Home to over 8,500 acres of breath-taking views, endless walking, running and cycle trails and Gruffalo adventures, a great day out awaits at Dalby Forest.

A visit to Dalby will uncover many magical things such as The Gruffalo orienteering course, Gruffalo Party Trail, some of the very best mountain biking trails and endless stunning views. Keep your eyes peeled along the way for our unique sculptures which are dotted throughout the forest, get the adrenaline pumping at Dalby Activity Centre or test your nerve and swing amongst the trees on our Go Ape courses.

Dalby Forest is home to an abundance of internationally important wildlife species and is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site, where you can experience the magic of seeing the Milky Way with the naked eye. Join our stargazing partners, AstroDog to find out more and book on an event.

If one day leaves you wanting more, join us as a member! With heaps of benefits such as free parking, discounts in the cafe, Go Ape and Dalby Forest Cycle Hub, there's tons of reasons to join. Click here for more information.

Read Dalby Forest's accessibility guide.

At a glance

Forest event
Daily from 23 March until 30 June
8am to 4pm
Courtyard Exhibition Space, Low Dalby
Women in Forestry, The Lumberjills Story

Step back in time and discover the unsung heroines of World War II with our fascinating exhibition, "Women in Forestry: The Lumberjills Story". Delve into the remarkable journey of the Lumberjills, a courageous group of women who defied convention and transformed the landscape of forestry during one of history's most tumultuous periods.

As Britain faced the dire need for timber amidst the chaos of war, the Lumberjills emerged as beacons of strength and resilience. With their axes and saws in hand, these trailblazing women stepped forward to fill the void left by conscripted men, shattering gender stereotypes with every tree they felled. Their contributions were nothing short of monumental, supplying crucial timber used in railways, mining, aircraft, and even gas mask filters. Yet, their story has remained largely forgotten, overshadowed by the more well-known tales of the Women's Land Army.

But now, through our special exhibition, we aim to bring their legacy back to life. Featuring captivating photographs and anecdotes, we honor the bravery and dedication of these extraordinary women who played a pivotal role in shaping history.

In a groundbreaking celebration of women in forestry, we proudly present a unique photo mosaic crafted by The People's Picture. Comprising over 2000 images submitted by women currently working in forestry and those from the past, this mosaic forms a stunning portrayal of a Lumberjill, symbolizing the enduring connection between past and present. The Lumberjill portrayed is Kathleen Houghton, who defied all odds by joining the Women's Timber Corps as a lorry driver, despite never having driven a car before. Her story is just one of many that epitomize the spirit of resilience and determination that defined the Lumberjills.

Join us on a journey through history as we celebrate the indomitable spirit of the Women's Timber Corps and their enduring impact on the forestry industry. Don't miss this opportunity to pay homage to the unsung heroes who paved the way for women in forestry then, now, and for generations to come.

Where and When

The Courtyard Exhibition Space23 March until 30 June 20248am to 4pm every day

Cost and booking information

Entry to the exhibition is free and no booking is required

Forest event
24 March 2024
9am

Dalby Forest Runner

Be a forest runner and join us in our running series across the nation’s forests this spring. The profits from Forest Runner sales help us grow, shape and care for the nation's forests, now and for future generations.

Whether you are a 5k or a 10k Forest Runner, choose your challenge and enjoy a run in some beautiful surroundings.

Join in the conversation using #ForestRunner

Click here to book 5k tickets

Click here to book 10k tickets

Members get 15% off Forest Runner tickets!

Forest Runner events are managed in partnership with Events of the North.

Forest event
Various dates
7pm - 9pm
Dalby Forest Courtyard

Join Astro Dog for a magical evening of stargazing in Dalby Forest.

Astro Dog offer exciting, interactive, stargazing sessions in the enchanting setting of Dalby Forest. Dalby Forest is a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site and is set within the heart of the picturesque North York Moors National Park. Awarded an International Dark Sky Reserve status in December 2020, the NYMNP is 1 of only 19 International Dark Sky reserves in the world! With exceptionally dark skies, Dalby Forest is an excellent location to stargaze from. 

Guests can enjoy a guided tour of the night sky, learning about stars, asterisms, constellations, star-hopping and how to navigate the night sky. Use telescopes and binoculars to view the planets, the Moon and stunning deep space objects such as double stars, star clusters, galaxies and nebulae. 

Learn about the history of astronomy and space travel, travel through our solar system and embark on a journey to the edge of the known universe inside an immersive 360° planetarium dome. View and learn about the wonders of the universe with the breath-taking experience of surround vision. 

Find out how to view the night sky from the comfort of your home and how to plan your own stargazing outings using planetarium software. Learn about useful astronomy related apps, software and space simulators that can aid you in stargazing, astrophotography and learning more about the universe. 

Get to know the equipment and accessories involved in stargazing and astrophotography such as binoculars, telescopes, tripods and tracking mounts. Enjoy a short presentation on astrophotography, including images of planets, star clusters, galaxies, nebulae, noctilucent clouds and the Aurora Borealis. View beautiful images that display the excellent quality of dark skies in the Dark Sky Discovery Site of Dalby Forest. 

All of this and more! Visit www.Astro-dog.co.uk for more information and to book onto an event.

Forest event
21 June 2024
5pm

About Bryan Adams

Bryan Adams, one of the most successful recording artists of all-time, will bring some of the greatest hits of his more than 40-year career to our nation's beautiful forest settings, as well as playing songs from his latest studio album, ‘So Happy It Hurts’.

Hailing from Ontario, Canada, Bryan Adams started off as the singer in a glam-rock band, Sweeney Todd before striking out on his own and going on to pen some of the biggest hits of the 80s and 90s including the epic ‘Everything I Do (I Do It For you), ‘Heaven’, ‘Cloud 9’, ‘Run To You’, ‘Straight From The Heart’, Please Forgive Me’, ‘When You’re Gone’ (feat. Melanie C), and the globally celebrated anthem ‘Summer of ‘69’.

Forest Live at Dalby Forest

At Dalby Forest our concert arena is in the heart of the forest, so you truly get the sense of being immersed in nature. Home to over 8,500 acres of breath-taking views, endless walking, running and cycle trails, Dalby Forest is the perfect place for escape and adventure in the North York Moors National Park.

Bryan Adams joins Nile Rodgers & CHIC and Richard Ashcroft at Forest Live 2024 in Dalby Forest.

About Forest Live

Forest Live is a major live music series held in our nation’s forests. Join us among the trees to hear the best live music, connect with nature and discover unique locations across the country. 

This is the ideal concert experience taking place in beautiful natural woodland arenas every summer, with a relaxed atmosphere and an incredible soundtrack.

Buying tickets from Forestry England helps to grow and protect our nation’s forests for generations to come.

Food and drink

Dalby Forest Cafe 3

Dalby Forest Cafe

Located in the Dalby Forest Visitor Centre, the Dalby Forest Cafe is the perfect place to refuel and relax after your forest adventure. Dalby Forest Cafe offers a delicious selection of hot and cold drinks, sweet treats and both hot and cold food to replenish your senses.

If you have short or long term limited mobility, enjoy one of our free all-terrain mobility vehicles.

You do not need to be registered disabled.

How to book

We recommend booking before you visit by calling 01751 460295.

Hire is free of charge and can be for half a day or a full day.

Where can you use them?

Dalby Forest has two tramper trails which start from the visitor centre. The Ellerburn trail is also a level-graded route perfect for use on mobility scooters and trampers.

 

Dalby Forest has hosted artists for many years, providing a place to create unique pieces, inspired by the stories of the forest and its naturally distinctive qualities and landscape. The arts are dotted throughout the forest, to tell each story in a purposefully selected location, bringing the forest and the art to life.

Our contemporary arts offer includes workshops, exhibitions and installations all year round. To find out the latest about arts in Forestry England, sign up to our arts newsletter.

Enjoy the arts safely

Some of the artworks are situated near walking and cycling tracks. Take care when approaching.This is a working forest, so please adhere to any safety information displayed.Please don’t climb on any of the artworks.

Accessibility

The placement of most of our artworks makes them accessible, although some can be best viewed from a slight distance. Speak to the staff at the Visitor Centre before heading into the forest.

You can also get in touch at dalbyvisitorcentre@forestryengland.uk

Why what3words?

What3words was created to provide a more accurate location service. They have divided the world into 3 metre squares with each square represented by 3 words. For example 'Dragonfly' by Peter Maris and Ann Sotheran uses the 3 words: shocked.remotes.trackers.

These words can be used online or in the what3words app to give you the exact location of the artwork in the forest. Traditionally relying on landmarks and signs can often lead to confusion or misdirection, so this method of navigation works great in rural areas such as Dalby Forest.

Whether you've just bought your first bike, or you're happy shredding through rock gardens, Dalby Forest offers a fantastic opportunity for natural cycling. Exploring this stunning forest on two wheels will leave you grinning from ear to ear.

With graded trails for various abilities, there is something for everyone to enjoy no matter the weather!

Based just a short walk from Adderstone Field and Dixon's Hollow car park, Dalby Activity Centre can host an exciting day or half day of outdoor activities including paintball, airsoft, archery and even tree climbing!

Dalby Activity Centre pride themselves on enabling people with a disability to access their activities, believing that outdoor adventure should be available to everyone - so give them a ring or call in at the Centre on site to discuss any needs that you or your group may have.

Our work

A mental and glass sculpture of a dragonfly wing

Dalby Forest Arts Programme

Forestry England presents the Arts in Dalby Forest - a collection of artworks that have been inspired by the unique landscape, heritage, people and wildlife of this forest.
Membership invitation - click to find out more about membership
Volunteer with us invitation - click to discover volunteer opportunities across England