Quick answer
Dalby Forest is a Forestry England forest near Pickering, with play areas, Gruffalo sculptures, family trails and a visitor centre café. It sits in the North York Moors National Park. It is mainly an outdoor day, so it suits dry weather. Entry is free if you arrive car-free. By car, parking costs £3.50 for up to 1 hour, rising to £15.00 over 4 hours. The forest is open 8am to 8pm every day. Forestry England does not suggest a visit length. On 13 November 2026, Go Ape’s Dalby page said it was closed for winter until 6 February 2027.
Is it right for my child?
- Toddlers: the Grandfather Oak play area is next to the visitor centre. Forestry England says its toddler play zone has wide bridges, sensory elements and woodland creatures to spot.
- Gruffalo fans: wooden Gruffalo and Gruffalo’s Child sculptures stand near the Adderstone play area. Forestry England grades this walk as easy.
- Little map readers: the Gruffalo orienteering course has twelve markers to find. Forestry England says it suits children up to eight years old.
- Christmas trail: the Room on the Broom Christmas trail is aimed at families with children aged 3 to 9. Its page, read on 13 November 2026, gave no start or end dates.
- Older children: Forestry England lists waymarked, colour-coded walking trails, plus cycle trails, across over 8,500 acres.
- Honest note: Forestry England says there is no sheltered seating out in the forest.
Plan your visit: a parent’s checklist
- Pay on exit by card. The car parks use barriered number plate recognition, and Forestry England says card payments are accepted.
- Buy trail packs at the visitor centre before you drive to the trail starts.
- Arrive between 9am and 4pm if you want the visitor centre. Those are its hours from 1 November to 28 February.
- Bring warm layers, because there is no sheltered seating out in the forest.
Prices and tickets
Forestry England says Dalby Forest is free to enter if you arrive car-free, by public transport or bike. Visitors arriving by car pay the parking charge.
- Parking charges: up to 1 hour £3.50, up to 2 hours £6.50 and up to 3 hours £9.50. Up to 4 hours is £12.50, and over 4 hours is £15.00.
- How to pay: the site has barriered ANPR and a pay on exit system. There are pay machines at the Visitor Centre car park and the Seivedale overflow car park, or pay at the visitor centre information point.
- No charge: for a drive through completed within 30 minutes, for motorcycles, and for visitors arriving car-free.
- Members park free: Dalby Forest membership is £68 a year for the household. National membership is £8 a month (£96 a year, annual contract applies). Only one vehicle is permitted per visit.
- Blue Badge: Forestry England’s parking terms say it does not offer free or discounted parking for Blue Badge holders.
- Trail packs: the Gruffalo orienteering map and certificate costs £1.50. The Room on the Broom Christmas trail pack costs £4, including a magic reveal lens and a keyring.
Pushchairs, babies and toilets
- Pushchair route: Forestry England calls the Ellerburn trail a safe and accessible route for parents with pushchairs. It starts from the visitor centre car park.
- Ellerburn trail length: 2.8km (1.7 miles) short route or 4.5km (2.8 miles) long route. It is mostly flat, with a steady incline at the end.
- Not for pushchairs: Forestry England says the Gruffalo orienteering trail is not suitable for pushchairs, prams or mobility vehicles.
- Christmas trail: surfaced forest tracks throughout, with some steady inclines in places.
- Toilets: there are toilets around the forest, some of them portable. Accessible toilets include the visitor centre, outside and upstairs.
- Baby changing: Forestry England lists baby changing facilities for the forest.
Food and drink
There are two cafés in the Low Dalby valley. Forestry England’s Christmas tree page says both will be open throughout winter.
- Dalby Forest Cafe: in the visitor centre, serving sandwiches, homemade soup, cakes and hot drinks. Its food page lists it as open daily 9am to 5pm. That is later than the visitor centre’s winter hours, so check before a late visit.
- Courtyard Cafe: an independent café near the cycle hub. It opens Monday to Friday 10am to 3pm and Saturday to Sunday 9am to 3pm.
- Picnics: Forestry England lists a picnic area and accessible picnic tables.
Getting there and parking
The visitor centre is at Low Dalby, Thornton-le-Dale, Pickering. The sat nav postcode is YO18 7LT.
- By car: follow the A169 Pickering to Whitby road and look for the brown tourist signs.
- Car parks: Forestry England lists 13. Use the Visitor Centre car park for the visitor centre. At busy times, use the Seivedale overflow car park just beyond Go Ape.
- Trail starts: the Gruffalo orienteering starts at Adderstone Field car park, about 5 miles (10 minutes) from the visitor centre. The Christmas trail starts at Dixon’s Hollow car park, a 10 minute drive into the forest.
- By bus: there are no public transport links directly to the forest. The nearest bus stop is 1 mile away, at the Fox and Rabbit Inn on Whitby Gate, on the Coastliner service.
When to visit
The forest is open 8am to 8pm every day. The visitor centre is open 9am to 4pm from 1 November to 28 February. It is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, and opens 9am to 12pm on Christmas Eve.
- Christmas trees: the tree page says the shop opens on Saturday 28 November, daily 10am to 4pm, until Sunday 13 December or while stocks last. The same page also says trees are available from 30 November. Parking is free when you buy a tree.
- Go Ape: Forestry England’s page names Go Ape at Dalby. On 13 November 2026, Go Ape’s own page said “Closed for Winter” and “Back 6th February 2027”.
Additional needs and disability support
Forestry England publishes an access page for Dalby Forest.
- Changing Places: in the Low Dalby Courtyard. A Radar key is needed, and you can borrow one from the Courtyard Cafe. Adult changing mats are available from the visitor centre information point.
- Accessible parking: 17 accessible bays, nine of them in the Visitor Centre car park. Blue Badge holders pay the normal charge.
- Visitor centre: flat level access from the car park and power-assisted doors. There is a portable hearing loop, and music is not played.
- Free all-terrain mobility scooters: for anyone over 16 with limited mobility, without needing to be registered disabled. Booking ahead on 01751 460295 is recommended.
- Easier access trails: Ellerburn Walking Route, Housedale Rigg Trail and Crosscliff Easy Access Trail. Hired scooters cannot be used on the Crosscliff trail.
- Not mentioned: the official pages do not mention sensory guides or quiet times.
Frequently asked questions
Is Dalby Forest free?
Forestry England says it is free to enter if you arrive car-free. By car, parking costs £3.50 for up to 1 hour, rising to £15.00 over 4 hours. Members park free.
Can you take a pushchair to Dalby Forest?
Yes, on some routes. Forestry England calls the Ellerburn trail accessible for parents with pushchairs. It says the Gruffalo orienteering trail is not suitable for pushchairs or prams.
Where are the Gruffalo sculptures at Dalby Forest?
Park at Adderstone Field and head towards the play area.
Is there a café at Dalby Forest?
Yes, two. Dalby Forest Cafe is in the visitor centre, and the Courtyard Cafe is near the cycle hub.
Is Go Ape at Dalby open in winter?
On 13 November 2026, Go Ape’s Dalby page said “Closed for Winter” and “Back 6th February 2027”.
Can I take my dog to Dalby Forest?
Yes, Forestry England lists dogs as allowed. Its dog code asks you to keep dogs close and in sight, using a lead if they do not always return when called.
Checked on 13 November 2026 against the official Forestry England pages for Dalby Forest, access information, play, Room on the Broom, Gruffalo orienteering, Ellerburn trail, food and drink, Christmas trees and parking terms, plus Go Ape Dalby. Prices and times can change, so check before you travel.
