Yorkshire Moors

Wildlife spot

Forge Valley National Nature Reserve

A steep, wooded river valley near West Ayton on the edge of Scarborough. A National Nature Reserve with one of the easiest places in the area to watch woodland birds close up.

Wooded valley track in the North York Moors, similar to the Derwent woods at Forge Valley

What you might see

The feeding station draws marsh tit, nuthatch, treecreeper and woodpeckers to within a few feet of the path, while dipper and grey wagtail work the River Derwent below.

Getting there and parking

Roadside car parks sit along the valley road between West Ayton and Hackness. Classic-car parking is owner-to-confirm and campervan suitability unconfirmed on the narrow valley road. Nearest fuel is West Ayton or Scarborough.

Access

Partly step-free: a boardwalk makes much of the reserve easy going, which is unusual for this kind of terrain. Dogs are welcome, keep them on the path and out of the river margins.

Nearby

Pair it with the Wykeham raptor viewpoint for a half-day of birdwatching, or build a route with Plan My Day. Details verified August 2026.

Map and how to get there

Area
West Ayton (near Scarborough)
Coordinates
54.2680, -0.5230
Parking
Off-road parking available, Owner to confirm (roadside car parks on the valley road)
Nearest fuel
West Ayton or Scarborough
Access
Partly step-free: a boardwalk makes much of the valley easy going, with roadside car parks on the valley road.
Driving directionsOpen the larger mapBuild a day around it

More to see nearby

Wildlife spot

Wykeham Forest Raptor Viewpoint

Wykeham Forest (Pickering–Scarborough)

Late winter for displaying goshawk; summer for honey buzzard.

Wildlife spot

Fen Bog nature reserve

Newtondale, near Goathland

Late spring into summer, when dragonflies and butterflies are on the wing.

Wildlife spot

Scaling Dam Reservoir

A171 (northern moor edge)

Autumn and winter, when wildfowl and wader numbers are highest.

Wildlife spot

Ravenscar — seals & clifftop

Ravenscar (coast)

Seals year-round; grey seals pup in November and common seals in summer.

Nearby guide

Scarborough

Ten minutes east for lunch, the harbour and the seafront.

Nearby guide

Walks in the moors

Valley and moorland routes to pair with a morning's birdwatching.

Nearby guide

Wildlife of the North York Moors

What to look for across the park, month by month.

Top answers for the Yorkshire Moors

All questions in the full FAQ hub →

Quick, straight answers to the questions visitors ask most. Each one links through to the fuller guide.

What wildlife can you see in the North York Moors?

Moorland birds including red grouse, curlew, golden plover and the merlin (Britain's smallest bird of prey), deer, and on the coast seals and seabirds, with occasional whales and dolphins offshore. Spring brings lambs and daffodils.

Things to do →

Can you visit the North York Moors without a car?

Yes, though a car helps for the remote moor. The Yorkshire Coastliner bus (York–Malton–Pickering–Goathland–Whitby) is one of Britain's most scenic routes, the Esk Valley line serves the northern dales and Whitby, the seasonal Moorsbus reaches the high moors, and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway links Pickering, Goathland and Whitby.

Touring Journal →

How do I get to the North York Moors?

By car it's about 4 to 4.5 hours from London (A1(M)/A19), under an hour from York or Leeds, and minutes from Teesside. By train, reach York, Malton, Thirsk or Scarborough on the main line, then continue by bus or the Esk Valley line.

Touring Journal →

How do you get from York to Whitby?

By car it's roughly 45 miles and about an hour and a half via Malton and Pickering. There's no direct train: rail travellers change at Middlesbrough for the Esk Valley line, and there are also direct coach services. Many visitors drive to Pickering and take the steam railway in.

Getting here →

Does it snow on the North York Moors?

Yes, the high moor roads catch snow most winters, and drifting can close routes such as the A169 over Fylingdales and the Blakey Ridge road for a day or two at a time. Valley villages are usually far less affected. Check road conditions before crossing the tops in winter.

Best time to visit →

When is the best time for autumn colour?

Roughly mid-October to early November, when the wooded dales and forests. Dalby, Newtondale and the Esk Valley. Turn gold and copper.

Things to do →