Spotlight · Week of 2 November
Dalby Forest in November
By Jon Cosson · Updated 11 October 2026
Once half-term is over, Dalby Forest goes quiet, and early November is a good time for its trails without the queues at the car parks. The visitor centre moves to winter hours on 1 November.
The facts
- Visitor centre
- 9am to 4pm from 1 November to 28 February; 9.30am to 5pm from 1 March to 31 October. Low Dalby, YO18 7LT.
- Parking
- Up to 1 hour £3.50, up to 2 hours £6.50, up to 3 hours £9.50, up to 4 hours £12.50, over 4 hours £15. Forestry England members park free, and there is no charge for a drive through the forest completed within 30 minutes.
- Getting there
- The Forest Drive starts just north of Thornton-le-Dale.
Short walks worth doing now
The Bridestones, weathered sandstone outcrops on a National Trust reserve above Staindale, a circular of about 3 miles.
The waymarked trails from the visitor centre, which range from short loops to longer forest walks; the visitor centre has the current trail map.
After dark
Clear November nights come early, and Dalby Forest is a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site. Our stargazing guide has where to go and what to look for.
Sources: Forestry England, Dalby Forest page (visitor centre hours, parking, Dark Sky Discovery Site); our Bridestones walk page and its National Trust and Forestry England sources. Checked 11 October 2026.
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