Raptor Viewpoint

The North Yorkshire moors roll out beneath you at Raptor Viewpoint, and on a clear day you can watch birds of prey hunting across the valleys. It's a proper vantage point - the kind of place where you stand quietly for ten minutes and actually see something move in the distance.

This is where you come if you're into raptets, obviously. Buzzards, kestrels, the occasional hen harrier if you're lucky. You'll need binoculars to get the most out of it, and patience. Stand around mid-morning when thermals are building and visibility is good. If you're expecting a visitor centre or interpretive boards, you'll be disappointed - this is just a viewpoint, nothing more. What you get is unfiltered moorland and the chance to spot working birds doing what they do.

Walkers heading across the moors near Scarborough should factor this in as a natural stopping point rather than a destination in itself. Families with young kids might find it a bit slow unless they're already keen on wildlife. History hunters won't find much here either.

Stay at Prospect House Farm Glamping & Camping just 3.7 miles away and you're perfectly placed for early morning sessions when the light's best and the moors are quieter. Vale of Pickering Caravan Park is another solid option if you want to combine moorland walking with a bit of birdwatching. Bring a windproof - it gets blustery up there.