Top 10 Eco-Friendly Attractions in North Yorkshire
At Earthstays, we are driven by our unique belief that the best way to experience a stunning location is by staying in an eco-friendly holiday home. This not only enhances your travel experience but also safeguards the areas beauty for further generations.
An environmentally friendly holiday in North Yorkshire is about more than minimising your carbon footprint.It’s about supporting local businesses and enjoying unique activities that preserve nature and rich cultural heritage. From vast national parks and coastal walks to organic farms and conservation projects, North Yorkshire offers a wealth of experience that align with your travel goals and principles.
Eco-Friendly Attractions in North Yorkshire
Outdoors
1) Yorkshire Dales National Park
The spectacular Yorkshire Dales National Park tops our list for its sheer scale and diversity. Limestone hills, deep valleys, waterfalls, and winding rivers create the perfect setting for gorge walking, wild swimming, hiking, mountain biking, bird watching, and fishing. Its geological heritage is protected as a UNESCO Global Geopark, with cycling and walking paths designed to protect the delicate ecosystem and minimise.
2) North York Moors National Park
The North York Moors National Park is equally stunning at night as an International Dark Sky Reserve, as it is beloved during the day for its heather-covered moors and dramatic coastline. Keen stargazers should time their visit to coincide with the park’s Dark Sky Festivals, where they can enjoy guided stargazing sessions, talks from astronomy experts, and other exciting events in February and late October.
3) Kilnsey Park Estate
The owners of Kilnsey Park Estate take pride in having one of the most environmentally friendly attractions in North Yorkshire. With most of the land declared a Site of Special Scientific Interest and energy generated from solar panels, hydropower, and heat pumps, they certainly back their words up with action. Kilnsey Park has a family fishing pond, fly fishing lakes and a small animal farm. It’s the perfect family day out.Yorkshire Arboretum
4) Yorkshire Arboretum
At the Yorkshire Arboretum, they don’t just manage 120 acres of thriving woodland. They also host regular workshops and talks focusing on responsibly using woodland resources and protecting the environment. Imagine the joy of taking home a willow globe you’ve woven, or the satisfaction of learning new photography skills. The Nettle and Dock story and song workshops, free with entry, are a hit with young children.
Family
5) Flamingo Land Resort
In addition to hair-raising rollercoasters and other adrenaline-pumping rides, Flamingo Land has an award-winning zoo and a business mission that integrates the conservation of the natural world into every aspect. Just by going there, you’re supporting the protection of natural ecosystems worldwide. The zoo cares for over 140 different animal species and offers workshops and animal experiences that not only entertain but also educate all ages, providing a unique opportunity to learn about wildlife conservation.
6) White Scar Cave
White Scar Cave is one of the largest showcaves in England and a great all-weather attraction for your self-catering holiday in North Yorkshire. Underground waterfalls and natural features with names like “Witches Fingers” and “Devil’s Tongue” add to the thrill of exploring the subterranean scenery.
7) Sutton Bank National Park Centre
James Herriot, famous as a Yorkshire vet and author of “All Creatures Great and Small”, claimed the view from Sutton Bank escarpment to be “the finest in England”. You’ll feel the same as you stand at the top looking out over Mowbray and the Vale of York. Kids are captivated by the treehouses, stone castles, sand pit, and other settings for imaginative outdoor play, while the walking and cycling paths appeal to all ages. The centre’s cafe and educational Nature and Star Hub uses an air source heat pump to reduce its carbon output.
Cultural
8) Rievaulx Terrace
The National Trust proudly cares for the spectacular Georgian gardens at Rievaulx Terrace. Woodland walks lead to open lawns and two 18th-century follies, copied from Grecian temples, that would have been the setting for lavish picnics. The gardens are next to the romantic ruins of historic Rievaulx Abbey.
9) Beningborough Hall Gardens
Beningborough Hall Gardens is another excellent display of National Trust’s commitment to eco-friendly attractions in North Yorkshire. The gardens offer a haven for local wildlife, and the estate uses biomass and solar to reduce the impact of its energy use. Dating back three centuries, the gardens are a haven for local wildlife. The newly developed Mediterranean Garden was created to withstand climate change, marrying Georgian decadence with modern tastes.
Volunteer Opportunities
10) Plant trees and Clean a Beach
You can leave Dalby Forest even more gorgeous than when you arrived by attending a volunteer event. These days involve maintaining the Dalby Forest footpaths and mountain bike trails, planting trees, and caring for the park’s sculptures and art pieces that celebrate the area’s beauty. It’s a rewarding experience to know that you’re contributing to the forest’s preservation with your visit, positively impacting the environment.
The Yorkshire Wildlife Trust fights marine pollution that threatens local wildlife by organising beach cleans on North Yorkshire beaches. It’s part of their Waves of Waste programme, and you can sign up here.
Top Tip: Sustainable Cooking and Dinning Out in North Yorkshire
Making delicious, sustainably resourced meals should never be a chore. Take your time choosing produce at local farmers markets, chatting with the farmers about their methods and supporting local businesses. Alternatively, stop by places like The Refill Jar in Beverley for zero-waste shopping. If you’re near Leyburn, the newly opened eatTelfit farm shop and butchery only sells locally reared, sustainable meat and artisan produce.
A self-catering holiday doesn’t mean you’re tied to the stove – treat yourself to a meal at The Black Swan at Oldstead, a Michelin-starred restaurant, where almost all ingredients come from the restaurants farm.
By staying in our eco-friendly properties and participating in these sustainable activities, you are both a traveller and a responsible guardian of the environment.
We have a great collection of places to stay in North Yorkshire, why not take a look at them all to see which may suit your next adventure.