Have you ever considered owning a woodland lodge in the North York Moors? A woodland escape of your very own. Somewhere you can return to time and again to rest, relax and recharge.
The North York Moors covers over 500 square miles and includes 26 miles of rugged coastline. It's dotted with picturesque villages, bustling market towns and tourist hot spots like Whitby. Visitors enjoy the beauty of the heather moorland, a unique landscape and home to a diverse array of wildlife. Ancient woodland and waterfalls are nestled in peaceful valleys.
Holiday lodges offer a unique and sustainable way of enjoying nature. Surrounded by mature woodland, our lodges are positioned for privacy, peace and quiet. Enjoy woodland views on all sides, and your own deck on which to sit out and enjoy the stars.
Lodge ownership provides the opportunity to enjoy your woodland holiday home time and again, alongside the benefit of generating rental income, should you wish to. With increasing demand for nature-based holidays there's never been a better time to invest.
1. The Natural Beauty of the North York Moors
Those who've visited the North York Moors before know it's a stunning and diverse landscape. Featuring the famous purple heather, rolling hills, farmland and woodland as well as rugged cliffs and beaches.
The North York Moors National Park is home to some wonderful wildlife. Ladycross is regularly visited by deer, badgers, foxes and other woodland mammals. Here are some of the highlights visitors to the Moors might expect to see:
Flowers
Visitors can see primrose, bluebells, yellow archangel, wood anemone, cow-wheat and violets. And in the early spring the stunning daffodils at Farndale are always worth a visit.
Mammals
Badger, fox, stoat, weasel, wood mouse and shrew all make their homes in the North York Moors alongside roe and fallow deer. Take an early morning walk along the 2 miles of nature trails at Ladycross and who knows, you might just bump into a four-legged friend!
Birds of Prey
At Wykeham Forest you may see merlin, goshawks, honey buzzards, common buzzards, red kite, peregrine, and sparrowhawks. Over 180 bird species have been recorded at Scaling Dam, which is just a few minutes drive from Ladycross. Enjoy a walk around the resevoir, and make sure you pack your binoculars.
Coastal Life
Take a boat trip out of Whitby harbour and you might be fortunate enough to spot seals, dolphins and even whales. Chances are higher in the summer, from June to August. Or, drive down to RSPB Bempton Cliffs and enjoy the bird life, including puffins, nestled on the cliffs.
Charming market towns including Helmsley, Pickering and Malton are all nearby. Here you'll find lots of independent shops and great cafes, cosy pubs and excellent restaurants. If history's your thing, some of English Heritage's most famous properties are within easy reach. Reivaulx Abbey makes a great day out, especially if you take the opportunity to enjoy the view from Sutton Bank. Whitby Abbey stands proudly on the East Cliff, overlooking the town's harbour and out to sea.
Spending time in the North York Moors feels like pressing pause on the busyness of life. For anyone who enjoys walking, cycling, wildlife, photography, good food & drink or simply peace and quiet. There's nowhere quite like North Yorkshire.
2. Why Woodland Living?
Living amongst nature, away from the noise of the town or city, is a wonderfully calming experience. All the fresh air you could wish for, the gentle sounds of wind through the trees, the feeling of open space.
We've written elsewhere about the positive impact staying in a woodland lodge can have on your mental health. In short, living amongst the trees can help you de-stress and improve your mood, foster deeper relationships with others and help improve sleep cycles.
Our guests often remark how quiet and peaceful the park is. This is by design. We've worked hard to design a layout which provides as much privacy for our guests as possible. For many, Ladycross has become a sanctuary away from the hustle and bustle of city life. This is demonstrated in the numbers of returning visitors we welcome each year.
3. The Appeal of Owning a Holiday Lodge in the Moors
A woodland holiday lodges makes an attractive investment. Owners are welcome to stay at Ladycross all year round, making the most of the four seasons. Alongside this, owners can benefit from rental income generated by offering your lodge to paying guests.
We work with one of the country's premier manufacturers of woodland lodges. Designed and built here in the UK, each lodge is installed by a specialist team, and is fitted and furnished to the highest standard.
Here are some of the highlights:
- Natural European larch external cladding - this 'silvers' with age to blend in with the woodland surroundings
- UPVC standard double glazed argon gas filled soft coat units
- Aluminium bi-fold doors to the private deck
- High performance steel sheet roofing with galvanised steel rainwater goods
- En suite with shower and WC with rustic panelled walls
- Fully equipped bespoke family kitchen with island, induction hob, washing machine, fridge freezer (AA rated)
Our lodges are priced from £225,000. We have a selection of woodland lodges available for sale right now, including:
Owning your very own woodland holiday lodge offers you the best of both worlds: a place to return to time and again and a rental income if you choose to let your lodge out.
4. Activities and Things to Do Nearby
If you love walking, cycling, fishing or other outdoor pursuits then Ladycross makes the perfect base for memorable holidays. Here are some of the activities you can enjoy on our doorstep:
Walking
Read about some of our favourite walks in the North York Moors. The Cleveland Way is our most famous local walking route, alongside the final stages of the Coast to Coast. But nearby you'll find footpaths heading in all directions - take your pick!
Cycling
Get out and about on two wheels. Whether you love road cycling or prefer heading off the beaten track, there's something for everyone. Dalby Forest is just a few miles away, and his home to some of the UK's best mountain bike trails. A more family-friendly option is the Whitby to Scarborough Cinder Track, a disused railway line.
Fishing
There are several boats offering fishing trips out of Whitby harbour. Or, if you prefer to keep your feet on dry land, many enjoy fishing from the piers, especially when the mackerel arrive in August.
Local History
Visit Whitby Abbey, the Captain Cook Museum, or Whitby Museum and learn about the rich history of the town. Nearby you'll find Scarborough Castle, Pickering Castle, Rievaulx Abbey, Kirkham Priory and other historic destinations. Step back in time as you climb aboard the North York Moors Steam Railway which runs from Whitby to Pickering. It makes a wonderful day out and a unique experience.
Festivals
Whitby is home to Musicport World Music Festival, which happens in October. You might also enjoy Whitby Folk Week in August, the two Goth Weekends are also incredibly popular. More recently events such as the Made in Whitby Festival have gone down a treat, and in 2025 Whitby will host its first ever Literature Festival. These are all wonderful events which show off Whitby's wonderful community at its best.
Larger Towns & Cities
If you're looking to visit somewhere a bit larger, perhaps for shopping, then York is just over an hour away by car. Home to the famous York Minster, its a walled city with a rich history, full of independent shops and places to eat. Leeds is also within easy reach. To the north you'll find Newcastle, about an hour and a half's drive away.
Your Woodland Home from Home
Live the dream. Your very own woodland lodge in the heart of the North York Moors. Surrounded by 95 acres of mature woodland, a nature-filled sanctuary to return to time and again.
Investing in a woodland lodge is an investment in your well-being and quality of life. It's a place to make memories which will last a lifetime, and share unique experiences with family and friends.
A woodland lodge doesn't just offer an escape from the everyday. It provides an opportunity to truly live differently. To prioritise what's important to you and make a positive choice about your future.
If you'd like to talk through your options, Kieran and Lisa are glad to talk with you. Please call the office on 01947 895502 to speak with them. Alternatively, send us a message and we'll give you a call back at a convenient time.
We'd also encourage you to visit Ladycross, to get a feel for what the park is like. The best way to do that is to book a stay in one of our rental lodges. We hope to welcome you to Ladycross soon.
