Bell tents in Dalby Forest

Mountain bikers can take their pick of trails in Dalby Forest, set in the southern valleys of the North York Moors National Park. Miles of forests lead the way through the woodlands, and you can also explore on foot or on horseback. Kids have plenty to get excited about, too, with activities including a treetop adventure course, paintballing, archery, and orienteering. Stick around after dark as the park is also renowned for its dark skies and stargazing opportunities. The two campsites within Dalby Forest are reserved for use by youth groups, but campers can find plenty of options nearby.

97% (8)

Top-rated campgrounds

Mountain bikers can take their pick of trails in Dalby Forest, set in the southern valleys of the North York Moors National Park. Miles of forests lead the way through the woodlands, and you can also explore on foot or on horseback. Kids have plenty to get excited about, too, with activities including a treetop adventure course, paintballing, archery, and orienteering. Stick around after dark as the park is also renowned for its dark skies and stargazing opportunities. The two campsites within Dalby Forest are reserved for use by youth groups, but campers can find plenty of options nearby.

97% (8)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Aldwark Bridge Glamping

3 units · Glamping · England

A unique and cosy pop-up glamping site Located on the banks of the River Ure next to a quaint and historical wooden toll bridge, Aldwark Bridge Glamping offers a unique and personal camping experience. Nestled between York and Harrogate, the site boasts a fantastic pit stop on the Coast to Coast cycling route, free landing access to the River Ure to enjoy kayaking and stand up paddle boarding and a beautiful river side walk to the local pub. Matt and Joanna invite you to glamp in style here at our cosy garden site with luxury shower room, extensive outdoor kitchen and welcoming communal fire pit seating area.

2. Walcot Hall Estate

100%

(1)

2 units · Glamping · Near Alkborough, England

Glamping with a hot tub and a private bathroom in the grounds of a stately home in the North Lincolnshire countryside

3. Flamborough Glamping Bell Tents

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(1)

1 unit · Glamping · England

Our beautiful 5m Glamping bell tents are in an amazing location. We are based on a small, peaceful caravan park at Flamborough with stunning sea views and private, direct access to the scenic white chalk cliffs, which are a short 5 minute walk, where you will find many different sea birds. We are very close to several award winning beaches and a short drive to the village, where you will find several pubs serving excellent food. Our location is perfect for romance, peace, and adventure! Inside the tent there is a double memory foam mattress and two comfortable futons ready for you to bring your OWN SLEEPING BAG OR DUVET, as well as coir matting/rugs, apple crates, lanterns, an ottoman with a cool box inside and fairy lights. You will have your own picnic bench, where you can enjoy the coastal views from your pitch looking towards both Flamborough lighthouses, and out to sea. Enjoy incredible starry nights without any light pollution whilst gazing at the passing ships at night. We have an amenities block with clean toilets, however we DONT HAVE SHOWERS. Toilets and washing up area are close to the bell tent.

4. Freespirit Glamping

90%

(5)

5 units · Glamping · Pickering, England

We are located at Cliff Stud Retreat, a 220 acre former stud farm, just outside Helmsley on the foot of the North Yorkshire Moors. We are a top-rated luxury glamping site and we can't wait to welcome you! With amazing views and off a very quiet country lane that leads directly into the Moors, you'll be able to arrive, kick off your shoes and start relaxing, enjoying a beer and roasting marshmellows over the BBQ, whilst watching the sun go down. Our ethos is all about family, fun and living simply among nature. Our off-grid glamping site has just five, well spaced, luxury bell tents, each with their own allocated private compost toilet and shower. your own garden area with firepit, BBQ and seating area.

5. Coast and Camplight Whitby Glamping

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(2)

1 unit · Glamping · England

Our camps are spread out across our site, each one secluded from the others with nothing to see but the meadows, woods, views and at night the starry skies. The site is truly wild, with ancient woodland to one side with a beck running through it, and fields which we are rewilding full of wildflowers, bees and butterflies. The wildlife runs riot, with deer, owls, badgers, bats and all kinds of wild birds regular visitors. To preserve our wilderness and peace no cars are allowed on site; our visitors walk down the fields to their camps, leaving the real world with their cars at the gate (if you have mobility problems please contact us directly). Our camps are completely off-grid making it perfect for those looking for a digital detox and to get away from the stresses and strains of modern life. We try hard to be gentle on this beautiful place we call home, and the site is designed to be low impact on the environment with it’s own spring water, composting toilets and willow banks. All lighting is solar or via rechargeable batteries and eco-friendly washing products are provided. All the camps have a luxurious feeling despite feeling completely cut off from the outside world, with proper beds with comfy mattresses and their own hot showers; luxury bedding and fluffy towels are provided. Each camp has been handbuilt entirely by us from scratch from things that are recycled, found, car booted, made, upcycled, saved or rescued. Some things are on their third or even fourth life on the farm. Look out for the details, expect the unexpected, this is not glamping by numbers. Nothing says glamping to us like a real fire at the end of the day, toasting marshmallows, sharing stories and putting the day to rest. Each camp has a firepit for you to do just this. There is very little mobile reception in many places on the farm and we wholeheartedly recommend you take this as an opportunity to leave your phone with the rest of the modern world behind for your stay and remember what it is to live a little bit wild.

Stories from the community

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Sarah

August 2025

1 night at Coast and Camplight Whitby Glamping

A wonderful warm greeting. Much more than we ever expected. We had our own little camp with everything we could ever have needed: outdoor kitchen with stove and utensils, fire pit and cooking plate, hammock, covered table, lovely little toilet and shower and so much space for our dog. So serene and a beautiful view too. We had a fabulous night.

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Kitty

July 2025

With kids

Weekend Trip to Freespirit Glamping

Andy was really helpful, the site was perfect for what we wanted. Peaceful, time with the family and to go back to basic living. We will definitely go again had an amazing time. Close enough to the coast if you want to coast and lots to do around the area.

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Kate

July 2025

1 night at Coast and Camplight Whitby Glamping

Such a peaceful location! Amazing views and plenty of wildlife to spot. Loved being able to BBQ on the plate outside. Ed and Verity left plenty of kitchen tools and have set up a beautiful space so close to Whitby and the forests nearby, you can tell they’ve really put a lot of love and effort into making a great campsite. The bed was super comfortable too. Would absolutely come again and stay for longer to do some more exploring. Thank you :)

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Steve

July 2025

6 nights at Freespirit Glamping

A wonderful experience of nature Just getting away from the big city and enjoying some quality time away from distraction. Truly a wonderful place

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Bell tents in Dalby Forest guide

When to go

Walkers and mountain bikers can hit the trails at Dalby Forest year-round, although it can get muddy after rainfall, so wear sturdy shoes. July and August are the busiest months, when it’s essential to book activities or bike rentals in advance. Spring and autumn see the forest at its most colourful, garnished with wildflowers or fall foliage, while autumn through winter is the best time for stargazing.

Know before you go

Dalby Forest is located at the south end of the North York Moors National Park, about a 30-minute drive from Pickering or Scarborough.
The Moors Bus runs to the park from Easter through October, otherwise you will need your own transport. Paid parking (credit/debit cards only) is available.
There are restrooms, a gift shop, and a café in the park. Bike rentals are also available.
Some of the park’s trails are wheelchair accessible, and mobility scooters are available for hire.