13/7/2020 Ryedale’s Attractions are re-opening
As Ryedale – and the rest of the UK – start to open it’s doors to visitors, here is an update on what is (and what isn’t) reopen:
So many attractions have adapted and implemented restrictions for social distancing measures to make it as safe as possible for all visitors. Here’s a few of the Yorkshire coast attractions that have safely reopened their doors so far.
Castle Howard has reopened its gardens and Skelf Island playground to visitors who can pre-book through their website. Whilst the house remains closed for the time being, the outdoor gardens have plenty to see including the walled garden, lakes and historical monuments. Visit https://www.castlehoward.co.uk/ for more information and to book your visit in advance.
Flamingo Land has fully reopened although you will have to pre-book through their website as they find a safe capacity. All payments on the day must be paid with card. Further safety measures can be found at https://www.flamingoland.co.uk
Dalby Forest’s 13 walking tracks and 6 cycling trails are open for visitors to come and enjoy the outdoors while safely social distancing. The tracks vary from easy access to more difficult treks for experienced cyclists and walkers. Dogs are welcome too! Unfortunately the visitor centre, café and Go Ape activities remain closed for now – take a look at https://www.forestryengland.uk/dalby-forest for details on what amenities are available.
Wolds Way Lavender offers a unique day out and began a phased reopening from the 12th June. Just a few of the attractions you can find to do that are now open to the public are gardens, nature ponds, a maze with giant games, a wildflower walk and mini football golf. Their lavender gift shop is also open, and they offer takeaway drinks, snacks and ice-creams. Like other attractions, please book your visit online and read more about the safety restrictions in place at https://woldswaylavender.co.uk/2020-safe-opening-information/
Sadly Yorkshire Lavender have taken the extremely difficult decision to remain closed this year but we hope that our guests continue to support them in the years to come.
The National Birds of Prey Centre reopened on the 15th June, so visitors can once again go and see the range of beautiful birds of prey on display. There is no need to book ahead when visiting as their site is large and has plenty of space for social distancing safely. They have implemented a one-way system and be aware they are not accepting cash at the current time – so be sure to have a card with you.
More details are available on their website https://www.ncbp.co.uk/ and here you can also buy vouchers future visits to help the centre and their birds in these difficult financial times.
Coming Soon!
Helmsley Walled Garden – reopens 1st August
North Yorkshire Moors Railway – reopens 1st AugustOur Blog
Major events 2020 please check as some of these may not be on due to covid 19
Outdoor challenge events are not included below; you’ll find walking, cycling and mountain biking, and fell and road running events listed in our Enjoy Outdoors pages. Do also take a look at the monthly farmers’ markets in and around the North York Moors, and Food & Beer Festivals for more foodie ideas.
See Discover Yorkshire Coast for more major events in Scarborough, Filey, Whitby and along the coast.
February
March
April
- 4 – 5 Sci-Fi Scarborough, Scarborough Spa
- 4 – 19 Discover National Parks, annual celebration of National Parks, check out our events programme at Sutton Bank and The Moors National Park Centres
- 4 – 19 Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, Nunnington Hall
- 4 – 19 Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, Rievaulx Terrace
- 10 – 13 Easter Egg Hunt, Sutton Bank National Park Centre
- 10 – 13 Easter Egg Hunt, The Moors National Park Centre, Danby
- 10 – 13 Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, Ravenscar Visitor Centre
- 10 – 13 Cadbury Easter Egg Hunt, Old Coastguard Station, Robin Hood’s Bay
- 11 – 12 1940s Living History Easter Bank Holiday Weekend, Eden Camp, Malton
- 24 – 26 Books by the Beach Festival 2020, Scarborough Library
- 24 – 26 Whitby Goth Weekend, Whitby
- 24 – 26 Tomorrow’s Ghosts Gothic & Alternative Festival, Whitby
- 30 – 3 May Tour de Yorkshire
May
- 8 – 10 Festival of Dogs, Castle Howard
- 8 – 9 June Imprints, Inspired by… gallery, Danby
- 10 Rhythm and Brews, Sutton Bank National Park Centre
- 16 World Fish Migration Day, Nunnington Hall
- 16 – 17 Fish & Ships Festival, Whitby
- 16 – 5 July British Wildlife Photography Awards Exhibition, Nunnington Hall
- 16 – 17 Yorkshire Game & Country Fair, Scampston Hall
- 22 – 25 Great North Folk Festival, Botton: Folk festival, concerts, workshops and special events
- 23 – 24 Malton Food Lovers Festival, 150 food stalls and street food, cookery theatre, Festival Bar, live music and more
- 23 – 25 WalkFest!, Across the North York Moors National Park
- 23 – 25 Castle Howard Traction Engine Rally, Castle Howard
- 25 – 29 Ryevitalise! Sutton Bank National Park Centre and other locations
- 29 – 31 The Secret Garden Weekend, Helmsley Walled Garden and Helmsley Arts Centre
- 30 – 31 Lockton Artist Open Studios, Lockton
June
- 4 – 6 Diesel Gala, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- 5 – 7 Robin Hood’s Bay Folk Weekend, a free weekend of relaxed music sessions and singarounds
- 5 – 7 Whitby 60s, Whitby Pavilion, a full weekend of sixties music, with some of its biggest names
- 6 – 7 Lockton Artist Open Studios, Lockton
- 6 – 7, 13 – 14 North Yorkshire Open Studios, artists open up their studios across North Yorkshire
- 7 Open Farm Sunday, visit one of a number of farms across the North York Moors
- 14 Bunny Run, Sutton Bank National Park Centre
- 13 – 20 July Paintings from Wild Places, Inspired by… gallery, Danby
- 14 – 20 Scalby Fair, Nr Scarborough: one of the few remaining village street fairs in north England (Fair Day is 20 June)
- 20 – 21 Rosedale Walking Festival, Rosedale Abbey
- 26 – 27 Forest Live, Dalby Forest, Music gigs featuring top artists in the forest
- 26 – 29 The Brideshead Festival: 75 Years of Print and Screen, Castle Howard
- 27 – 28 British Falconry Fair, National Centre for Birds of Prey, Helmsley
- 27 National Armed Forces Day, Scarborough Seafront
July
- 2 – 4 Staxtonbury Music Festival, Manor Farm, Staxton, family friendly festival
- 4 – 5 Duncombe Park Steam Rally, Helmsley
- 4 – 5 60s Fest, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- 10 – 26 Ryedale Festival: Concerts and arts events in spectacular and historic venues
- 11 – 12 Whitby Ahoy!, Whitby
- 17 – 19 SeaFest Maritime Festival, Scarborough
- 18 The Ancient & Honourable Guild of Town Criers Championships 2020, Helmsley (hub Helmsley Walled Garden)
- 18 MeadowFest, Malton
- 24 – 27 The Lost Words: Told in Gold, The Moors National Park Centre, Danby
- 25 – 26 Wood Life Festival, The Moors National Park Centre, Danby
- 24 – 1 September, Wood Life, Inspired by… gallery, Danby
- 25 – 31 Ryedale Jazz Festival, Pickering
- 31 – 2 August Staithes RNLI Lifeboat Weekend
- 31 – 2 August Whitby Traction Engine Rally, Hawsker, Whitby
August
- 2 Anglo Saxon Day, Sutton Bank National Park Centre
- 9, 16 Sutton Bank Sundays, Sutton Bank National Park Centre (family days out themed around woodland and the power of trees)
- 9 – 22 North York Moors Chamber Music Festival: Renowned classical musicians from around the world gather in some of the North York Moors’ most remote and beautiful historical buildings
- 14 – 16 Saltburn Folk Festival, Saltburn
- 15 – 17 Whitby Regatta, watch yacht and rowing races, Navy displays, fireworks and more set around this ancient port
- 22 Castle Howards Proms, Castle Howard
- 22 – 28 Whitby Folk Week, traditional music and dance with workshops and street entertainment
- 29 – 30 1940s Living History August Bank Holiday Weekend, Eden Camp
September
- 1 – 30 Mindful Month, across the North York Moors
- 5 – 5 October Land of Iron – Back to Nature, Inspired by… gallery, Danby
- 5 – 6 Yorkshire Traction Engine Rally, Scampston Hall
- 11 – 13 World Jam Festival, Helmsley (hub at Helmsley Walled Garden)
- 12 – 13 Staithes Festival of Arts & Heritage, Staithes
- 12 – 13 Festival of Thrift, Krkleatham
- 13 All Services Parade & Remembrance Service, Eden Camp, Malton
- 17 – 20 The International Sheep Dog Society World Trials, Castle Howard
- 19 – 20 Yorkshire Fossil Festival, Scarborough
- 24 – 27 Autumn Harvest Festival, Castle Howard
- 25 – 27 Annual Steam Gala, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- 25 – 27 Whitby 60’s Music Festival (30th anniversary weekend), Whitby Pavilion
- 25 – 26 Trackrod Rally Yorkshire, Cropton, Dalby and Langdale forests NB: walk and cycle trails in Dalby are closed for the day
October
- 4 MoorsRun, North York Moors National Park in partnership with Hardmoors Race Series present the Turnpike Trot 10k and the Rabbit Run 5k
- 9 – 11 Railway in Wartime, North Yorkshire Moors Railway: turn the clock back to 1940s for this popular event with street parades, vehicle displays and re-enactments along the line. Special events at Pickering Castle and Beck Isle Museum too.
- 10 – 9 November, A Portrait of Place (Gillies Jones 25th anniversary), Inspired by… gallery, Danby
- 23 – 25 Musicport Festival, Whitby Pavilion: the UK’s biggest indoor world music festival (21st anniversary)
- Dates TBC Illuminated Abbey, Whitby Abbey
- 30 – 1 November Whitby Goth Weekend, Whitby
- Date TBC Halloween: Fear in the Forest, Dalby Forest
November
December
- 1 – 13 Christmas Opening, Burton Agnes Hall
- 4 – 6 Robin Hood’s Bay 27th Victorian Weekend, Robin Hood’s Bay
- 5 – 6 Christmas through Time, Ryedale Folk Museum
- 5 – 6, 12 – 13, 19 – 20 Santa Specials, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- 5 – 6, 12 – 13, 19 – 20 Northern Lights Express, North Yorkshire Moors Railway
- Date tbc Christmas Lights, Thornton le Dale
- Dates tbc Christmas at Dalby Forest
- Dates tbc Christmas at Nunnington Hall