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Welcome

Dalby Forest offers over 8,000 acres of woodland to explore and enjoy. Whether you’re looking for adventure, tranquility or a place to bring the family, Dalby Forest is the perfect escape from everyday life.

Dalby Forest offers six cycling trails, four running trails, Go Ape, an activity centre, bike hire, two play areas, a Gruffalo orienteering course and a Superworm trail.

Wide pathway leading from car park into Dalby Forest visitor centre, with glazed doors and window panels, surrounded by forest.

Hearing

We have a hearing loop in Visitor Centre reception desk.
Some staff have disability awareness training.

Visual

Glass doors and full-height windows have contrast markings.
The walls and the doors have high colour contrast.

General

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
Some staff have disability awareness training.
We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Getting here

Dalby Forest Drive
Low Dalby
Pickering
YO18 7LT

Travel by public transport

You can get to Dalby Forest by bus and train.
The nearest bus stop is located on Whitby Gate for the regular Coastliner bus service. The Moorbus will stop within the forest at the Visitor Centre and this service is wheelchair accessible. For timetables see www.moorbus.org/timetablesfares.html. The bus stop is 2.5 miles / 4.0 km from Dalby Forest.
The nearest train station is Malton. The train station is 11.5 miles / 18.5 km from Dalby Forest.

For the local Coastliner bus service information visit www.yorkbus.co.uk/Coastliner.htm

Malton train station has step-free access, accessible ticket machines, ramped access on to trains, hearing loops and wheelchairs to hire. For more information, visit: www.the press.co.uk/travelling-with-us/station-information/malton 

Travel by taxi

You can get a taxi with Malton Station Taxis by calling 01653 696969. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
You can get a taxi with Crystal Cars (Pickering) by calling 07891 097608. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.
You can get a taxi with Abbey Taxis (Whitby) by calling 01947 606666. The taxi company has a wheelchair accessible vehicle.

Parking

We have a car park. There are accessible parking spaces. The parking is less than 50 metres from the main entrance. Parking is not free.
There is a drop-off point at the main entrance. The drop-off point has a dropped kerb.
From the car park to the entrance, there is level access. The route is 2000mm wide, or more.
We have a transport service, to take visitors from the car park to the main entrance. Our transport service is wheelchair accessible.

There are three accessible parking bays (without hatching) and the main entrance of the visitor centre is accessed via a level access route down a slight decline.

One accessible parking bay and the route leading to the visitor centre main entrance across tarmac and compact gravel.

Arrival

Path to main entrance

From the street to the main entrance, there is level access.
The path is 2000mm wide, or more.

Main entrance

The main entrance has level access.
The door is 1740mm wide.
The main door is side hung and automatic.

There are clear visions panels on the doors, with manifestations. The surrounding floor to ceiling glazed panel windows also have manifestations.

An accessible parking space at Dalby Forest Visitor Centre Wide pathway with solid, level surface leading to Dalby Forest Visitor Centre Entrance to Dalby Forest Visitor Centre

Getting around inside

Visual Impairment - General Information

We have contrast markings on all glass doors, contrast markings on all full-height windows and high colour contrast between walls and doorframes.
Good colour contrast in the shop with wall, counter, floors and surroundings.

Lift

We have 1 lift.
You can get a lift to all floors.

Mobility lift in main entrance foyer

The lift is a platform lift.
The lift door is 820mm wide.
The lift is 820mm wide. The lift is 1480mm deep.
The lift buttons have raised numbers or letters.
The lift has a capacity of 400kg or five persons.The lift buttons also contain braille.There is only the ground floor and one floor above (which is used for events).There is good visual contrast in the lift.
Mobility lift door with green surrounding wood and vision panel with clear manifestations at dual height. Control panel in the mobility lift, showing raised number buttons and braille indications.

Ticket/ information desk

Information and shop cashier desk in the Dalby Forest Visitor Centre

From the main entrance to the desk, there is level access. The route is 875mm wide, or more.
The door is 2160mm wide, or more.

There is good visual contrast at the desk.

The desk measures 890mm to the top and has no clearance underneath. 

Staff are friendly and helpful and can come out from behind the desk to assist visitors. 

Information and Cashier Counter in the shop with good visual contrast.

Events Space - Upper Floor of the Visitor Centre

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to this area, the route is 820mm wide, or more. The door is 820mm wide.
Some display information is low, for wheelchair users. There are seats.

The event space consists of a conference room with flexible furninure, as well as a terrace with level access and some weather protection, overlooking the forest. The terrace also has flexible furniture with metal chairs (with backs and armrests) and small round tables.

​There is also an accessible toilet on this floor.

Large wooden terrace used for events on the top floor of the visitor centre, overlooking the forest. Large, wooden terraced area on the upper floor of the Visitor Centre with views overlooking the forest.

Public toilet

Accessible Toilet on the Upper Floor of the Visitor Centre

From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. There is a lift.
From the lift to the public toilet, the route is 820mm wide, or more.
The toilet door is 875mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the right.
There is 880mm at the side of the toilet. There is 1200mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 480mm high. The toilets have handrails.

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White toilet showing right hand transfer, sink and white grab rails against white walls. Interior of accessible toilet showing toilet, sink and grab rails.

Public toilet

Accessible Toilet outside the visitor centre

There is a public toilet for disabled visitors.
From the main entrance to the public toilet, there is level access. The toilet door is 800mm wide.
The direction of transfer onto the toilet is to the left.
There is 1400mm in front of the toilet. The toilet seat is 480mm high. The toilets have handrails.

The sink measures 700mm to the underside.

Accessible toilet showing outward opening door with contrasting white grab rail and toilet interior beyond. Toilet interior showing white toilet, sink and hand dryer against contrasting green walls. Fold down baby changing table inside accessible toilet

Shop

Visitor Centre Gift Shop

From the main entrance to the shop, there is level access. The route is 2160mm wide, or more. The door is 2160mm wide.
The route through the shop is 800mm wide, or more.

There is no lowered counter in the shop, but friendly staff are very willing to help.

The counter in the shop measures 890mm to the top.

There is good visual contrast through the shop and its displays.

Visitor centre shop with items for sale on display shelving and wide pathway around.

Place to eat and drink

Visitor Centre Cafe

From the main entrance to the dining area, there is level access. The route is 1660mm wide, or more. The door is 2570mm wide.
To get to a table, there are no steps.
The dining area is self-service. If you need table service, staff can help you.
The route through the dining area is 800mm wide, or more.
There is background music.
We cater for vegetarian, gluten free (celiacs) and vegan specific diets.

The dining tables have a clearance of 700mm to the underside, so can be used by wheelchair users.

There is no lowered counter at the till area and it measures 900mm high.

The island counter containing food measures 970mm and the cutlery stand measures 860mm high.

 

Area leading into cafe, showing clear circulation space, counter with cakes to the right and seating area beyond. Additional seating area in cafe showing clear circulation space with a number of tables and chairs. Chiller cabinet in cafe with counter to the left

Getting around outside

Designated Walking Trail

Ellerburn Red trail

The trail is 2800metres long. The trail has a hard surface. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

The Ellerburn Red Trail route is level access with a path width of 2000mm.

There are some potholes, as it is a working forest road. 

The seats are standard wooden benches with arms and back rests.

There is a slight incline up a gradual weaving path during this route.

Designated Walking Trail

Cross Cliff View Trail/ Bickley Gate Yellow Route

The trail is 800metres long. The trail has a hard surface. The trail is sloped. The trail has seats.

Birds of prey can be seen along this route and there are many high view points which look out over the forest. 

The seating is standard wooden benches with arm rests and backs.

Tramper along the Cross Cliff View Trail showing a wide smooth path and black companion dog, surrounded by tall trees.

Picnic Area

Picnic benches behind the Visitor Centre

From the car park to the picnic area, there is level access. The path is 870mm wide, or more.
Some tables have space for wheelchair users. You can bring your own food to the picnic area.

The tables have a height of 670mm to the underside and have a gap with a width of 700mm to accommodate for wheelchair users.

Picnic area outside the back of the visitor centre including wheelchair accessible picnic benches.

Grandfather Oak Playground

From the main entrance to this area, there is level access. The route is 2140mm wide, or more.

The main entrance to this park is via multiple wooden stairs with a central handrail and the level access entrance is past the stepped entrance and is on a slope.

There is currently no wheelchair accessible play equipment.

There is a quiet, sensory area at the back of the playground, next to the river.

Pathways leading to Grandfather Oak Playground with play equipment in the distance. Satellite Swing in Grandfather Oak playground with surface of bark clippings. Quieter area of the playground by the rive showing hammock on the right and willow shelter on the left with the river behind.

Customer care support

Accessibility equipment

We provide wheelchairs. Wheelchairs are free.
We have a hearing loop in Visitor Centre reception desk.

There are two trampers available to hire in the visitor centre.

Please call  01751 460295 to book.

Dogs are able to use the whole forest. We respectful ask that visitors clear up after their dogs and do not leave plastic bags in the forest.
We have an area to charge mobility scooters and battery powered wheelchairs.

There are plugs inside the visitor centre and helpful staff there during opening hours to offer assistance. 

Two trampers for hire, located in the visitor centre main entrance foyer area.
You can hire mobility equipment from Whitby DAG by calling 01947 821001 or 07956 751 790.

Emergency evacuation procedures

We have emergency evacuation procedures for disabled visitors.

Customer care support

Some staff have disability awareness training.
Guide info
Any information, comments and views made available to users via this Accessibility Guide are provided directly from third party business operators. VisitEngland and VisitScotland do not endorse or validate this information. Any reliance on this Accessibility Guide is at your own risk. This guide is not intended to be a substitute for users making their own checks, inquiries and investigations directly with the business operators prior to making any booking or visiting the venue.