About Dalby Forest

The Great Yorkshire Forest covers an area of 8000 acres consisting of pines and spruces and a mix of deciduous trees such as Oak, Beech, Ash, Alder and Hazel. Situated on the southern slopes of the North York Moors National Park, close to the village of Thornton-le-Dale, it is an area of outstanding natural beauty formed in the Ice Age and worked since the Bronze Age. Clear trout streams arise from springs and run north and south out of the forest. Burial mounds, earthworks and rabbit warrens provide plenty of interest for walkers to explore. Being a former Royal hunting forest human habitation was outlawed in Dalby and there has been little human settlement in the centuries since. However, this absence of human life has had the major benefits of providing a magnificent natural environment in which you are free to roam observing and an abundance of flora and fauna.

Dalby, A Dale almost devoid of inhabitants made an ideal site for a man of religion to set up hermitage. William of Dalby was a hermit of the early fourteenth century at lower end of valley. When King Edward was at Pickering 20th August 1323 he ordered castle constable John de Kilvington, to allow William to have pasturage for another cow and its issue up to two years old. In addition he already enjoyed two cows and their issue. The rights were to remain as long as he remained a hermit. He must have been established under the Earl of Lancaster. The hermitage was near a small Ford crossing the beck and not far from the boundary track up Flaxmoor to Watmoor. Hermitages we’re commonly near route ways. To the north of his small plot was the steam running down to the beck. His pasture was called the vaccary beneath the cliff in 1328. He must have died before 1351 since in that year the house was occupied by the Dalby Forester.

Dalby Valley of change John Rushton and Brian Walker Newby Books second edition 2000 first published 1976
As a tribute to William there is a carved tree and chair depicting his presence close to Adderstoneand we have named our chapel building The Hermitage.

Dalby Forest is now the UK’s premier mountain biking, cycling and walking destination and guests looking for more active pursuits could not find anywhere better for their activities. If you do not have your own bikes they may be hired from Big Bear Bikes at Dalby Bike Barn which is only a half mile away. They also have a range of electric bikes and regualy run courses to improve your MTB skills and enjoyment.

High Dalby House & Cottages provides the only luxury standard bed and breakfast and self catering stone holiday cottages in the restricted area of Dalby Forest and is the perfect choice for your stay. Uniquely located in the heart of Dalby Forest Our guests enjoy immediate access onto Dalby’s 50 miles of biking trails and many miles of waymarked walks. Guests can experience the exciting "Go Ape” high wire tree adventure, Segway Trail or paintballing which are all available on our doorstep.

High Dalby House and cottages is also perfectly located for those attending the Dalby Forest pop concerts, pop up outdoor cinema, dark sky observations and other themed events that are regularly held in the forest. There are numerous bridle ways and we can arrange riding for you locally.

Then, after a day’s exertion, we meet your every need. We have secure cycle storage, washing and drying facilities and outdoor clothing storage in the Hermitage, wonderful bathrooms in which to ease away any aches and pains and a comfortable garden room or the beautiful guest lounge complete with log burner in which to relax and unwind with your drink of choice from our honesty bar.