From Sutton Bank National Park Centre there are several delightful and rewarding walking trails. A stroll along the wheelchair-accessible path from the visitor centre to the famed ‘finest view in England’ lookout is a must or head south along the dramatic escarpment to view the famous Kilburn White Horse.
The booklet ‘Walks around Sutton Bank’ has five great walks from available to purchase from the visitor centre.
White Horse at Kilburn
The White Horse of Kilburn
It is best for hiking, bird watching, watching gliders, a bit of a challenge and seeing teh Kilburn White Horse! This is a short walk direct from the park centre on a marked path around Roulston Scar to the White Horse of Kilburn. This is a figure of a horse cut into the limestone hillside.
This well-known landmark is visible from miles around and provides a great talking point and photo opportunity along the route. Try this old favourite White Horse Walk which also provides a walk map of this well marked route. If you start at the visitor centre is is approximately a 3 miles circular route and classed as a moderate to difficult. It can be fairly strenuous as it navigates the steep valley slopes of Kilburn Woods, however it is a rewarding trail.
Sutton Bank Views – North York Moors National Park
Walk & Experience England’s ‘Finest View’
Take the short stroll (less than a mile) from the visitor centre along to the top of the Sutton Bank and see it for yourself. You can easily extend the walk along the ridgeline to take in the full scenery. There are several benches which are ideal to sit and admire or head to the lookout viewpoint which showcases all the landscape’s highlights. There may well be gliders high in the sky enjoying the unique and often ideal conditions to soar high up the thermals.
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Sutton Bank is also situated along the iconic Cleveland Way National Trail which start is the market town of Helmsley. This long distance hiking trail is a stunning 109 mile (175 km) walking route. It rambles through the beautiful and ever-changing landscapes and scenery of the North York Moors National Park and down the spectacular Jurassic Yorkshire coastline ending up in Filey.
Several Walk Options:
- Enjoy a great view at Sutton Bank: day or night!
- Walking at Sutton Bank
- Sutton Bank and Boltby – a Cleveland Way Circular Walk
Enjoying the views at Sutton Bank
Go Stargazing at the Dark Sky Park
Visit on a cloudless night to discover why Sutton Bank was given Dark Sky Status. The Centre is an International Dark Sky Reserve. Visitors can discover life both above and beneath their feet at the Nature and Star Hub. The Sutton Bank Star Hub opened in Autumn 2021 and is a fantastic location to explore the dark skies above the North York Moors Dark Sky Reserve.
Dark Skies Festival Night Walk at Sutton Bank offers a very special experience of walking at night through the Sutton Bank landscape, under the North York Moor’s dark skies.
Sutton Bank Offers Family Fun for all Ages
As well as getting outdoors and enjoying the countryside there is an interactive exhibition at the Nature Lab. It tells the story of the remarkable River Rye, its wildlife, history and cultural significance.
Take part in fun and family-friendly science projects. Move virtual mountains to investigate water flow with the augmented reality sandbox. Discover life under the microscope, explore the area’s vegetation, flore, fauna and geology, along with information about the various animal species that make the local area their home.
For energetic little ones, head to the outdoor adventure play area, with quirky treehouses, a stone castle, three magical stone roundhouses, the large sandpit, mud kitchen or go log clambering over the ‘swamp’.
Sutton Bank is a fun and free day out and another delight in the North York Moors. A must visit when staying at Helmsley Hideaway.
NYMNP & Kilburn White Horse
Useful Links & More Information:
- Parking at Sutton Bank National Park Centre is £3.50 for up to 2 hours and £5.50 for over 2 hours. https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/plan-your-visit/car-parks-and-toilets
- Sutton Bank National Park Centre – https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/attractions/sutton-bank-national-park-centre
- Sutton Bank Visitor Centre & Park Life Café – https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/attractions/sutton-bank-national-park-centre/at-the-centre
- Cycling at Sutton Bank https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/things-to-do/attractions/sutton-bank-national-park-centre/sutton-bank-bikes-and-cycle-trails
- Sutton Bank Bike Hire – Bring out your wildside at Sutton Bank Bikes with a ride in one of England’s most spectacular locations in the North York Moors National Park. Book your bike hire in advance – https://www.suttonbankbikes.co.uk/
- A Day Out in in the Pretty Market Town of Helmsley
- Nature and Wildlife in the North York Moors
Cliff Edge at Sutton Bank
