Guisborough Forest and Walkway Visitor Center Improvements

Guisborough Forest Walkway operates as a gateway for families, outdoor pursuit enthusiasts and local residents to access beautiful, un spoilt forest, moorland and national park. The Visitor Centre is ideally situated at the entrance to the walkway from the car park and provides toilet and baby change facilities, café and picnic area, as well as a recycling centre, bike wash-off, outdoor performance / educational area. A variety of educational and ‘Forest Schools’ opportunities are delivered throughout the year. A scheme funded by the Tees Valley Combined Authority will shortly join one end of the walkway to Nunthorpe and enable improved access to onward cycle routes into Middlesbrough, providing an opportunity to access the walkway from further afield and increasing the level of use and passing trade for the café.

A planning application to extend and improve the visitor centre has been submitted, which includes an expanded café area. The extension will incorporate extensive glazing, offering visitors breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. High ceilings will further enhance the sense of space and openness.

Additional improvements include increased toilet capacity, supported by the installation of a new septic tank. Sustainability will be a key focus, with new solar panels added to the roof to complement the existing small solar array. Together with new air source heat pumps, these upgrades will significantly reduce reliance on the grid and highlight the centre’s commitment to low-carbon solutions.

The entrance to the visitor centre car park will also be reconfigured to improve accessibility. Currently, the sharp turn near a blind summit bridge makes navigation challenging. Enhancing this entryway will create a more welcoming arrival experience.