Moor. Coast. Forest. Dale.
What makes the North York Moors special?
Spend some time in the National Park and you’ll quickly see that the North York Moors is a pretty special place. History and nature have combined to give us an amazingly vibrant landscape, rich in heritage and wildlife – an inspiring place to visit, live, work or study.
A special place
As a National Park, we are one of Britain’s breathing spaces, a treasured landscape, protected for everyone to enjoy. You’ll see our distinctive logo on boundary stones, information panels and posters, but it doesn’t just tell you that you are in the North York Moors National Park.
The ancient stone cross on the spreading moorland also stands for a state of mind – this wonderful landscape, it’s saying, is somewhere to come and refresh your spirits. It’s the place where magical things happen – where the stresses and strains of daily life disappear, and where relaxation, holidays and adventure begin.
The open moorland will give you a sense of space. Away from the noise of the traffic you can hear the cries of moorland birds, the trickling water in a stream, and the buzz of insects in the heather.
On the coast, experience the roar of the sea, the wind in your hair, the sand between your toes. The dales form a rich patchwork of earthy colours and pleasing shapes – landscapes, created generations ago, still maintained by today’s farmers. Our woodlands and ancient trees provide a sense of well-being and a link to the past. And far from the artificial lights of towns, there are truly dark skies where you can see majestic skyscapes full of stars.