North York Moors

Towns & Villages

DANBY

Danby Lodge - Photo: Dave Stamp CCL

This tiny village is the home of The Moors Centre, a national park visitor centre which sits in 13 acres of land and hosts exhibitions, giving a unique insight into the moors and its people. It was originally a shooting lodge for the Dawnay family. Danby is also famous as the home of the 19th century cleric Canon Atkinson who wrote ‘Forty Years in a Moorland Parish’. He had three wives and 13 children.

Danby Castle is a 14th century edifice that was once the residence of Catherine Parr, sixth wife of Henry VIII. Close to the Moors Centre is a mediaeval packhorse bridge over the River Esk. On the parapet is the coat of arms of the Neville family. Danby Watermill, dating to the 17th century, is the only remaining watermill working on the Esk.

Duck Bridge - Photo: Colin Grice CCL