AD | Danby Lodge National Park Centre has a brand spanking new play park and it is fantastic!
We visited early June to check out what was on offer at Danby Lodge National Park Centre ready for the summer holidays and we loved it. We have been quite a few times in the past when the boys were little so it was great to be back.
Located in the gorgeous North York Moors National Park it is just over an Hours drive from Sunderland and takes in some of the loveliest countryside views.
The Play Ground
The brand new Adventure play ground is absolutely fantastic. Danby Den features Swings, Slides, double zip wire (fab for racing) tunnels, tower den, wildlife sculptures and there's even an accessible area with Basket swing and wide slide which can be accessed from a level platform. Designed by Flights of Fantasy the area takes in inspiration from its surroundings of nature and habitats using sustainable UK wood. There's also a great mud kitchen area. labyrinth and outdoor games such as Quoits. Best of all..... It's FREE
Don't miss the adorable mini park ranger jeep.
The National Park centre
The centre itself features a museum with loads of fun, interactive exhibits to keep everyone entertained and there's lots of reading material too. We loved some of the interactive displays such as the salmon jump, you have to hit the button to try and get the salmon to jump as far up the river as you can. Sounds simple but it was super fun. In the national park centre you can also find the climbing den, although my boys are too big for it we did have a peek and it is fab. I can see many kids having fun in there. There's also an indoor play area suitable for younger kids too.
In the national park centre you can also find a gallery which I though was great. I had a chat with staff and he talked me through some of the pieces. There are lots of lovely paintings, sketches and sculptures to enjoy. The exhibits change so please check on this before you go. The gift shop I thought was really good with lots of pocket money goodies and of course some things for non children.
We stopped at the café and enjoyed some cakes and a hot chocolate which were delicious, the café serves light bites, cakes and hot and cold drinks. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and high chairs were available to use.
Outside fun
Other things to enjoy include the circular walk around the grounds with sculptures that talk to you about what they did when they worked there. Kids trail, you can get a trail sheet from the gift shop for a small charge. Huge dragon sculpture, bird hides and den building.
Crow Wood is a fantastic walk, located right next to the car park it is full of lovely trees, sculptures, den building and bird hides. Dogs are not permitted in Crow Wood. I've always loved the gates to the entrance here.
You can spot an abundance of wildlife here from mice, sparrow hawks, yellow hammers, hedgehogs, wren, turtle doves and lots lots more. If you visit as it gets dark don't forget to look up as it is a Dark sky site.
Accessibility
Accessible play equipment including a basket swing and wide slide, accessed by level platform. The site is pretty accessible with tarmac paths and board walk. The national park centre has a platform lift giving easy access to other floors.
Radar key is available if you don't have your own with accessible toilet located to the back of the tearoom or in the gallery which has baby changing facilities. The public toilets have steps going down. Disabled parking bays in the main car park which are chargeable. There's also a loop system installed for those hard of hearing.
Good to know
🌳Free Entry
🌳Large car park chargeable from £3.50
🌳No booking needed
🌳Wheelchairs and Trampers are available to hire
🌳Dogs are welcome on a short lead but not in the Café, Centre buildings or Crow wood
🌳Toilets are available with Changing facilities
🌳Lots of picnic spaces
🌳Free Bike repair station with free locks and chargers for electric bikes
🌳Located on a dark sky site
The national park centre is open daily until November 10am-5pm please check the website for further opening hours outside of these months. Postcode is YO21 2NB and is a 20 minute walk away from the train station.
Other things to do in the area include:
🌳Lealholm stepping stones - visit the bakery and walk around the lovely village Picnic area near the river.
🌳Visit Sutton Bank national park centre
🌳Whitby is just a short drive away 22 minutes
🌳Moors Railway
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