Explore the forest, and beyond at Keldy
Forest Rangers
An entire forest at your feet. Let us show you around...
Our Forest Rangers are experts in helping you have fun in the great outdoors. They know the forests like the back of their hand and will help you to understand and connect with the forest. With experiences that are designed to show you the very best of our location, whichever activity you choose, you'll have an unforgettable experience.
Make sure you book in advance as our experiences are popular! Just choose your activity in my account.
Guided Woodland Walk
Suitable for families, groups and couples
With an entire forest waiting to be explored, it’s hard knowing where to start! Join our Forest Rangers for a guided tour, taking in some unforgettable views whilst learning a thing or two about the wildlife who call our forests home.
Mini Forest Rangers
Suitable for families and 5-11 year olds
Become a mini bird detective! Spread your wings and get ready to discover the world of bird spotting and migration. Through exciting games, crafts and immersive activities – put our feathered friends into the spotlight with help from your Forest Ranger.
Little Wild Ones
Suitable for families and pre-schoolers
When imaginations run wild, a love for nature begins to grow. And there’s no better playground than the forest! Your Forest Ranger will guide your tiny explorers through woodland activities and imaginative play – bringing stories to life as they find their first Forest Feeling.
Forest Survival
Suitable for families, groups and couples
It’s the simple things in life — like how to light a fire and build a woodland shelter. Learn it all with your Forest Ranger, then it’s time to relax around the campfire, toast some marshmallows and enjoy a well-deserved cuppa from freshly foraged herbs.
Nature by Night
Available September to March, suitable for all
Evenings in the forest just got even more extraordinary. Join a guided walk as you uncover the world of biofluorescence, using UV light to unveil a whole new world of wonders.
Outdoor adventures
Throw yourself into adventure and enjoy the very best of the outdoors on these incredible local experiences...
- Zipwire, right here in the forest | from £15pp
- Outdoor Escape Game | from £25pp
- Personal outdoor activity session | from £100
- Air rifle | from £20pp
- Archery | from £20pp
Tramper vehicles
Explore the forest with all-terrain mobility scooters, exclusive to both Keldy and Cropton. Tramper hire prices start from £2.50 for three hours, and you can book them through Outdoor Mobility.
The three-hour daily slots are available from 10am—1pm, or 2pm—5pm. All users must be accompanied during the session and follow the designated forest pathways.
Forest Spa
Unwind with a spa experience like no other, surrounded by the forest and a natural soundtrack outside. Switch off with soothing treatments designed for couples' time, group relaxation, or simply some time just for you.
You'll need to pre-book our in-cabin spa treatments to make sure we can get everything in place for your stay.
Book your spa experience
You'll need to pre-book our in-cabin spa treatments to make sure we can get everything in place for your stay.
Book your spa experience
Bike hire
Looking to explore more of the forest? Venture out for the day on our bikes and discover acres of woodland, or go at your own pace with full break bike hire. There’ll be a helmet and bike lock for you too, so you can keep your bike just outside your cabin door:
Our cycling options:
- Adult bike hire | £18 per day or from £32 per break
- Child bike hire | £15 per day or from £28 per break
- Child seat | from £10
- Tag along | from £20
- Trailer | from £30
Just pre-book in my account, or ask at the Forest Retreat while you're here.
Elvis Owl Nature Trail
Get hands-on in the forest with this brand-new, self-led Forest Nature Trail.
Explore the incredible wildlife around you, get stuck into activities and learn amazing things about nature.
Use your discovery pack and follow our five stepping stones to nature while you get to know your forest friends. See, hear and touch nature all around you... and have an incredible adventure in the forest.
Quiz nights
Come along to our Forest Quiz every Wednesday and Saturday! Grab a drink, choose your team name and put your knowledge to the test for a chance to win. It’s free and everyone’s welcome - with special rounds for kids! Join us in the Forest Retreat from 5pm.
Good to know...
You can reserve a table for the quiz by booking in for dinner at the Forest Retreat. Pre-order our Quiz Night specials in my account, or speak to our team while you're here.
Pottery painting
Head to the Forest Retreat and discover your creative side. Choose from a selection of our favourite woodland animals and experiment with spongy foam clay or paint a masterpiece to take away the same day.
Small Bisque - foam or paint | £6.95
Medium Bisque - foam or paint | £10.95
Large Bisque - foam or paint | £13.95
Rainy days
On rainy days, look out for TV messages for any indoor activities we're running. We also have plenty of board games in the Forest Retreat so why not pop in, pick up a game and grab a drink.
Build a Forest Friend
Looking for something to keep little hands busy indoors?
Head to the Forest Retreat, where mini explorers can build their own Forest Friend to join them on their adventures when they’re back outside. You can pre-book yours so they’re ready and waiting for when you arrive.
Local recommendations Keldy
Pubs and restaurants
Take your pick from our top pubs and restaurants close to the forest to get a taste of the local.
Cappleman’s Fish & Chips
The award-winning Cappleman’s Fish & Chips do traditional fish and chips to eat in or take away, plus home-made desserts, ice creams and sundaes.
17-minute drive
Figaro’s Italian
Fortune Inn Cantonese
Enjoy authentic cantonese food just a short drive away at Fortune Inn Cantonese.
16-minute drive
The Black Swan and The White Swan Inns
Two of the best dog-friendly pubs on Pickering Marketplace, across the road from each other.
Places to visit
Beyond the forest, discover the sights, sounds and tastes of Yorkshire.
Cedarbarn | 19-minute drive
Bit of a foodie? Cedarbarn is an award-winning farm shop and café.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway | 16-minute drive
Try the North Yorkshire Moors Railway experience and travel all the way to the coast by steam train.
Walking trails
Cinder Track | 33.8km or 11.3km
This famous route follows along the old Whitby to Scarborough railway line is a glorious 33.8km hike. For a shorter day trip, take the 11.3km section from Whitby to Ravenscar, where you’ll find smugglers coves, sea views and natural beauty.
Cleveland Way | various distances
Bask in some of Yorkshire’s most beautiful scenery on the stunning Cleveland Way walking route. Stretching over 175km from the delightful market town of Helmsley to the Victorian seaside destination, Saltburn-by-the-Sea, the dramatic landscapes of both moorland and coastline are guaranteed to take your breath away. Only half an hour from our cabins and a favourite of our Forest Ranger. Don’t forget your camera!
Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey | 11.3km
Helmsley to Rievaulx Abbey gives you glorious views of Helmsley Forest and the Yorkshire landscape. This 11.3km walk climbs gently from Helmsley, taking in beautiful views of the town and castle. It continues into the woods, carpeted by bluebells in the spring, to the beautiful abbey ruins at Rievaulx. Heading back, the views of the abbey from Rievaulx Terrace are breath-taking.
Howdale Moor and Brow Moor | 6.4km
The 6.4km circular is another, shorter, coast and moorland walk, where you may spot birds of prey over Flyingdale Moor.
Newtondale Trail | 22.5km or 9.7km
For a more challenging walk, the Newtondale trail is a 22.5km hike, with a rewarding vista over the dales. There’s also a 9.7km circular route through Newtondale, where you might catch the whistle and steam of a train on the North York Moors Railway.
Ravenscar to Robin Hood's Bay | 17.7km
An 17.7km moorland-to-coast walk is Ravenscar to Robin Hood's Bay – take a break at Boggle Hole for some rock-pooling.
Roseberry Topping & Cook's Monument | 11.3km
Take a scenic drive through the North York Moors to Roseberry Topping, known locally as the ‘Yorkshire Matterhorn’ to begin this 11.3km circular walk. It includes a strenuous climb that’s well worth it! Look south from the summit to heather-clad moors; look north to the contrasting industrial landscape of Middlesbrough and Redcar. The walk also takes in Cook’s Monument, another of Yorkshire’s iconic landmarks.
Rosedale Trail | 4.8km
Try the Rosedale trail, a 4.8km loop with views of Rosedale, Hartoft Valley and the distant moors. A longer 16km loop offers more great views and a variety of landscapes.
Dalby Forest walks | various distances
For walks in Dalby Forest, take the moderate Bridestones Trail, with natural sandstone sculptures along the way. Meet the wildlife on the more demanding Deepdale Habitat Trail and savour the sweeping views over the Moors on the 7.5km Woodcock Way. The Visitor Centre at Dalby Forest is a great place to start and here you can pick up details of the many walks, as well as enjoying some refreshments.
North York Moors National Park | various distances
Looking to make it a day out? Take the 6.4km circular walk connecting the moorland villages of Hutton le Hole and Lastingham, and visit the open-air Ryedale Folk Museum at Hutton.
- For a riverside ramble, Thornton-le-dale to Ellerburn is hard to beat.
- Take the 3.2km walk in the heart of Little Beck wood to discover the enchanting Falling Foss waterfall.
- For a more challenging hike, take the Wainstones 12.9km route end enjoy views of the whole of the moors spread out before you.
Cycling trails
Long distance cycling routes around North Yorkshire
National Route 1 takes in the coast from Whitby down to Scarborough, along the Cinder Track while Route 165 runs through the beautiful Esk Valley.
North York Moors cycling trails
Tackle the 26.5mile Bransdale Loop, or the nine-mile Spaunton Manor Circuit which passes by local villages and plenty of country pubs.
Dog-walking trails
Bring your furry friend on an adventure and explore one of the many forest trails, where acres of woodland and country roads make a great spot for a scamper.
Newtondale
Offering one of the best dog walks in North Yorkshire, this six-mile circular route includes quiet lanes and woodland walks with several steep slopes. For off lead dog walks in Yorkshire, you'll be pleased to hear that parts of the area cross paths with Forestry England open access land where your pup can roam as long as they’re in view and under control.
The North Yorkshire Moors Railway runs parallel with Newtondale so you might hear the distant whistling of an oncoming train too.
North Yorkshire Steam Railway
A short 15 minute drive from your cabin, discover the North Yorkshire Steam Railway. Dogs are welcome aboard standard coaches (except dining trains) providing they are well behaved, settled under tables or seats and not obstructing the walkway.
A doggy ticket can be purchased for just £3 and the train stops at many tourist hotspots including Whitby Abbey and Robin Hood’s Bay. All aboard!
Go Ape
Take a trip through the trees, full of adventure! Save 10% on your Go Ape experience when you stay with us, including on Saturdays.
Look out for our emails with offers and activities to book before your stay – they'll include your unique discount code. Go Ape Dalby Forest is a 40-minute drive away, where you can experience:
- Go Ape Tree Top Challenge | from £36
- Go Ape Tree Top Adventure | from £20
Activities nearby
Enjoy local activities and adventures close to Keldy Forest.
- Horse Riding hack or lesson | 15-minute drive | from £35
- Flamingo Land Theme park | 24-minute drive | seasonal prices from £19.50 – £44.50
- Alpamere Water Park & Spa | 50-minute drive | from £12
Wildlife experiences
Get close to the wildlife
Meet some of our forest friends up close with incredible experiences near to the forest.
Why not try...
- Horse Riding hack or lesson | from £35
- National Centre for Birds of Prey flying demos and experiences | from £13
Wildlife and trees
Wildlife at Keldy
What can you spot?
Treecreeper
On your next forest walk, keep a close look out for this small ‘mouse like’ bird climbing up tree trunks within the woodland. Treecreepers spiral around the trunk to try and find food such as insects and seeds.
Tawny owl
In winter, the hooting of the nocturnal tawny owl fills the air, with their striking gingery-brown feathers standing out against the frosty forest backdrop. Watch as they hunt for mice and ‘talk’ to each other during the courting season.
Roe Deer
Stay quiet and you may just stumble across a roe deer in a forest glade. See its reddish grey-brown coat and short antlers. The roe deer is the most common type of deer found in the UK.
Want to learn more about the wildlife here? Book onto a Forest Ranger experience and discover all the secrets of the forest!
Trees at Keldy
Trees you'll find in the forest
Scots pine
Scots pine is one of only three native conifers, and our only native pine. You'll spot this all-year round as its needle-like leaves are evergreen. It’s the perfect habitat for iconic Scottish wildlife such as the red squirrel, as well as animals like the pine marten and Scottish wildcat. Scots pines in southern England are also the main caterpillar foodplant for the pine hawk-moth.
Birch
Birch trees are hardy, able to live in a range of temperatures, from as far south as Spain to as far north as Lapland. Birch woods (either downy, silver birch, or both) have a light, open canopy and thrive in dry woodlands, downs and heaths. Their open canopy also helps grasses, mosses, wood anemones, bluebells, wood sorrel and violets to grow. Silver birch provides food and habitat for more than 300 insect species, as well as homes for nesting birds like woodpeckers.
Beech
Beech woodland is shady, accompanied by a dense carpet of fallen leaves. Only specialist, shade-tolerant plants can survive beneath a beech canopy. Due to these conditions, rarer plant species are associated with beech woodland, such as box, coralroot bittercress and a variety of orchids, including red helleborine. Beech woodland provides an important habitat for many butterflies too. Because Beech trees live for so long, they're also home to lots of insects, fungi and mosses that thrive on deadwood.
Supporting the forest
We’re more than just a holiday
Nestled within inspiring natural spaces, we offer a unique way to experience and enjoy the UK’s forests, helping you experience and reconnect with nature.
We look after the land we love for us all, protecting wildlife and helping to preserve the forest for the future. By putting nature centre-stage, we give you the best of the outdoors. A sense of freedom and a unique experience, where you feel connected to the forest and to each other. Because you don’t just visit the forest, you really feel it.
And once you’ve found that Forest Feeling, you’ll never let it go.
Let's look after what we love
Help to care for the wildlife around you in small, but important ways. You'll find it's as good for you as it is for nature!
Give nature a helping hand by....
- Creating habitat piles using old logs and branches
- Picking up any litter you see – the forest and wildlife will thank you for it
- Turning off the lights when they’re not in use to reduce energy use
- Using the bins provided to separate your waste and recycle properly
