Welcome
Situated at the top of the dramatic Sutton Bank escarpment, Sutton Bank National Park Centre has views which James Herriot described as ‘the finest in England’.
The centre has a café, exhibition space, shop, cycle hire, adventure play area, crafts, and numerous activities as well as cycle trails and accessible walks which enable the wonderful landscape to be enjoyed by everyone.
The friendly, informative staff have a wealth of knowledge about the North York Moors National Park. There is plenty of parking, as well as accessible toilets on site and mobility equipment for hire.

Level access
There is level access from the main entrance to:
The information desk and counter situated in the Visitor Centre.Accessible toilet in the courtyard directly outside the Visitor Centre.The Park Life CafeShop within the National Park CentreSutton Bank BikesThe Star/Nature HubAccessible walks on the Cleveland WayCycle routesThere is level access from the car park to:
Picnic AreaHearing
Visual
General
Getting here
Travel by public transport
Travel by taxi
Please contact REDS in advance to discuss your requirements
Parking
Parking costs are £2.70 for up to two hours, and £4.80 for all day.



Arrival
Path to main entrance
Main entrance
There are large double doors leading in to the foyer which are kept open during opening times. A bell is set to the side of the doors for access when closed (this would be due to adverse weather conditions). A further set of double automatic doors leads into the National Park Centre and shop.

Getting around inside
Visual Impairment - General Information





Ticket/ information desk
The information desk and counter situated in the Visitor Centre.
The large desk is situated in the middle of the National Park Centre. Helpful, informative staff are always on hand to assist. Information about the area, Tramper/Scooter hire, along with purchases from within the shop can be made here.
Public toilet
Accessible toilet in the courtyard directly outside the Visitor Centre.
The accessible toilet also has a toilet seat raiser available. The sink is an automatic soap/water/dry sink situated at a height of 800mm.
Baby changing facilites are in the both the men's and ladies toilets.


Shop
Shop within the National Park Centre
The Visitor Centre has a combined shop, information desk and exhibition centre. There are freestanding retail shelving units that are well spaced and at an appropriate level. The space also includes a bird viewing area which is wheelchair accessible.
Place to eat and drink
The Park Life Cafe
The cafe has flexible tables and chairs which are situated around a cosy log burning fire.
Tables can be booked in advance - please contact sbc-parklifecafe@deepbeatentertainment.com
An online menu can be found at www.facebook.com/parklifecafesuttonbank/menu.
Easy hold cutlery and cups are available.


Sutton Bank Bikes
Sutton Bank Bikes is situated directly next to the Visitor Centre. There is an external single door entrance from the outside area and a double door wheelchair accessible entrance that is accessed from within the Visitor Centre.




Getting around outside
Picnic Area
Picnic Area
There are a variety of areas around the site where visitors can enjoy a picnic. Some tables are wheelchair accessible.


The Star/Nature Hub
The new Nature Hub is a modular building situated in a secluded woodland setting, yet close to the facilities of the Visitor Centre. There is wheelchair access into this flexible space, which has windows and tables at varying heights suitable for wheelchair users.
Stargazing, birdwatching, talks, workshops etc take place here. The space can be hired for private events. Please contact the Centre team to see when the hub is booked out and if any events are running.
There is a birdsong station and a revolving dark skies interpretation panel.



Accessible walks on the Cleveland Way
There are accessible walks along sections of The Cleveland Way.
The first is a shorter, circular route to 'The Finest View in England' 500m from the centre.
The second route crosses over the road (cross with care), and turns left towards The White Horse landmark. There are stunning views and seating overlooking the beautiful North York Moors countryside.
There are two tramper routes that extend further along the Cleveland Way. One passes 'England's Finest View' and continues to a turning circle one mile north of the National Park Centre. The second crosses the main road and continues along the escarpment for a mile to the white horse hill figure.
Full details of all the above are available at the National Park Centre.





Cycle routes
There are 3 cycle routes available at Sutton Bank - the green route being suitable for adaptive bikes. The route follows a 3 mile loop - maps available from Sutton Bank Bikes.
Customer care support
Accessibility equipment
The National Park Centre is part of the Mobility Scheme and Trampers can be hired for use on two designated routes.
Trampers must be pre-booked at www.lakedistrictmobility.org/sutton-bank. Membership of the scheme costs £10 and allows users a year of access to Trampers at a range of locations throughout the country.
The Centre also has another basic mobility scooter for hire free of charge, which can access a limited number of routes. Pre-booking is advised.
Easy hold cutlery and cups are available in the cafe.
Ear defenders can be borrowed from reception.
A magnifier with a light is available to borrow for use in the exhibition space.
We have a small selction of braille maps, which includes the site itself and the White Horse loop, available to borrow.
The staff at Sutton Bank are extremely helpful, and if you need any assistance they are very willing to help.


Emergency evacuation procedures
Customer care support
Some limited braille maps are available - please contact the National Park Centre in advance.
Sutton Bank is a popular place for cyclists, walkers etc. It is situated on the Cleveland Way. Some of the trails through the woodland may be suitable for visitors who have adapted cycles. We recommend that you speak with the staff at the Sutton Bank Bikes to discuss your individual needs.
Although we don't have an official 'quiet session' or space at the Centre, the grounds provide an excellent place to find a quieter spot. The quietest periods are outside school holidays, and also first thing on a morning.