The Best Hotels to Book Near Dalby Forest, North Yorkshire

You can still hear the clang of metal on stone at the Blacksmiths Arms Inn – the only operational smithy in the area still works away next door. You can sense 250 years of history in the thick stone walls of the inn; two of the rooms have draped four-poster beds fit for royalty. Speaking of royalty, the Queen and Prince Phillip once enjoyed a meal in the inn’s pub, where the steak pie is homemade and the scampi come from Whitby, just down the road. If it’s good enough for Her Majesty, it’s good enough for us.

If it’s personal service and a warm atmosphere you’re looking for, this is the place for you. The Oak Wheel is a pub-with-rooms where the foodie experience is at the forefront. Sit down by a crackling fire in the traditional country pub, and enjoy the signature steak and ale pie or Yorkshire baked ham and eggs, all cooked up by the pub owner himself. Comfy rooms above the pub come with a full English breakfast in the morning.

On an outcrop overlooking Scarborough Beach, stepping into the Clifton Hotel is like stepping back to the days when Victorian bathers filled the shallows and ladies took to the coast for some rejuvenating sea air. A medley of kitsch carpets, fringed drapes and Victorian grandeur in the lounges sings of seaside holidays of days gone by. Rooms come with sea views through big bay windows, and the traditional bar is the perfect spot for a sip of nostalgia.

This child-friendly hotel is a solid choice for families looking for a seaside break. It’s a short walk to the beach and promenade in Scarborough, and a half-hour drive from all the activities of Dalby Forest. It was originally built as a hydro hotel, and still has an indoor swimming pool for guests to enjoy. There are plenty of family rooms, doubles and triples on offer, so you’re covered whatever the group size, and teenagers can enjoy the games room, with its pool table and table tennis.

Built in 1776, this Georgian coaching inn sits in the Yorkshire Moors between Pickering and Scarborough. Pretty, floral-patterned rooms are on a bed-and-breakfast basis, with a hearty full English served in the Snug. In the evening, there’s a local vibe to the Village Bar as folk sip real ale next to a crackling fire. Both bars serve up a menu of locally sourced food, like steak from Glaves’ butchery and seafood from Whitby, and some dishes have a Turkish twist, courtesy of the Turkish chef.

White columns tipped with gold and a grand lobby signal that this is one of Scarborough’s most luxurious options. Rooms are calm havens of neutral tones and contemporary furnishings – except for the mini-suite, which is decidedly daring red and slate-grey. If you’re looking for a spa break, this is the place for you, as the Aqua Spa provides Indian massages and an array of treatments using cruelty-free products.

The adults-only Wharncliffe Hotel sports a postbox-red exterior and fantastic views of Scarborough’s North Bay through tall bay windows. The hearty breakfast has been awarded the Visit England Breakfast Award nine years in a row and is cooked to order. Some rooms can be turned into twins on request, and most have sea views.

This small B&B has just seven rooms and sits in the heart of the Yorkshire countryside, a short walk from the idyllic fishing village of Ravenscar. The building itself dates back to the 19th century, but rooms have a country-contemporary feel. The sunny breakfast room looks out over the fields and moors for miles; on sunny days, you can take your tea or coffee on the picnic tables outside.

This huge, Victorian building is a landmark in Scarborough. Looking out over South Bay, it’s been welcoming visitors since it opened in 1863. The gold-gilded bannisters of the grand central staircase whisper of grand days out in the Victorian era, but rooms have been upgraded to 21st-century standards. An array of multi-bed rooms makes this a great option for families – not to mention, it’s just a few steps from the promenade and arcades of Scarborough’s seafront.