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Vale Of York » Flaxton, York

Griffon Forest

  • 4.8 Visitor Rating
  • Sleeps up to 5
  • Pets 3
  • Hot Tub
Tucked away in the heart of mature woodland on Sandburn Hall estate, just 8 miles from York and offering a haven of peace and tranquillity to visitors and wildlife alike, Griffon Forest is the perfect hideaway.

Each oak lodge is situated in its own setting enhanced by cosy interiors, spacious open plan living and home comforts of a well-equipped kitchen, modern bathroom and free Wi-Fi.


Unwind in the comfort of your lodge surrounded by mature woodland alive with birds, animals and plants, all right on your doorstep.

Take in the night sky, star gazing from your outdoor hot tub to complete the relaxing experience.

If you’re very lucky you may be visited by the resident badgers searching the forest for food, directly outside your lodge.

Explore the walks, cycle paths, 18-hole golf course* and a coarse fishing lake*, all available on the Estate.

Take a short walk to the friendly atmosphere of Tykes Restaurant, offering good food made from local produce or visit Sandburn Hall’s Sports Bar to watch the game and enjoy drinks or a bar meal.

Residents receive 10% discount off food and drinks in both, and dogs are welcome inside or on the patios.


Griffon Forest is perfect for romantic escapes, family breaks, or simply unwinding and pampering yourself in an idyllic rural retreat.

For the ultimate indulgent stay, pampering and celebration packs are available to pre-order, to be in your lodge for arrival*
With a selection of dog friendly lodges, featuring enclosed outdoor decks complimentary doggy welcome pack and walks in open fields or woodland from your doorstep your pet’s tail will be wagging! There is also an enclosed dog park available for booking*.


Griffon Forest is the ideal base to explore further afield – City, Coast or Country!
The Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors and a variety of coastal resorts are all within easy reach.

Key local attractions include Castle Howard and Flamingo Land, not forgetting the fabulous City of York with its cultural delights, shopping, and nightlife, just 8 miles away.

Griffon Forest Features

Lodge Facilities
  • Wi-Fi access
  • Outdoor hot tub
  • Walks, cycle paths, 18-hole golf course * , coarse fishing lake * on estate
  • 10% discount off food and drinks at Tykes Restaurant and Sandburn Hall’s Sports Bar
  • Indoor tennis/badminton
  • Network of walks and trails (1000-acre estate)
  • Reception with onsite shop and off-license
  • Large secure dog park *
  • Charges apply for golf course, golf academy, driving range * , fishing lake * , dog park *
  • Sandburn Hall – 10 mins walk (lit pathway)
  • Open all dates for facilities
  • Accommodation images are representative and may not be specific to booking
Accommodation features
  • Craftsman built lodges, all with outdoor hot tub
  • Car parking space at each Lodge for at least 2 cars
  • All weather deck with garden furniture and barbeque
  • Open plan living, dining and kitchen area
  • Flat screen smart TV and free Wi Fi
  • Oven and hob, microwave, dishwasher, fridge and freezer, washer and dryer
  • Iron and board, hairdryer
  • Bed linen, duvets, and towels. Beds made up for your arrival
  • Bath and separate shower
  • Gas, electricity, and central heating included
  • Dogs welcome in specific Lodges, maximum 2, or 3 in pet friendly Premier Lodges
  • Travel cots, highchairs, and dog crates available to hire
  • All Lodges have ramp access
  • * All other facilities available for all dates. *
  • Charges apply.

Other Lodges At Griffon Forest

Gardeners Lodge (Pet Friendly) photo 1
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Gardeners Lodge (Pet Friendly)

  • Sleeps 2
  • Pets 3
  • Hot Tub

Lodge with king-size four poster. Spa bath and walk in shower. Large timber deck with sunken outdoor hot tub. Wi-Fi access.Images are representative and may not be the specific accommodation assigned on booking.

From £775 for 7 nights
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Hunters Lodge

  • Sleeps 2
  • Hot Tub

Beautifully designed and furnished open plan lodge, perfect for a romantic break or honeymoon. King-size four poster. Superb bathing area with slipper bath or large jacuzzi (please request at the time of booking). Large timber deck with sunken outdoor hot tub. No pets. Wi-Fi access.Images are representative and may not be the specific accommodation assigned on booking.

From £790 for 7 nights
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Poachers Lodge

  • Sleeps 2
  • Hot Tub

Open plan, perfect for a romantic break. King-size four poster, feature bath and separate spacious shower room. Large cosy leather sofa. Large timber deck with sunken outdoor hot tub. Wi-Fi access.Images are representative and may not be the specific accommodation assigned on booking.

From £790 for 7 nights
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Gardeners Lodge

  • Sleeps 2
  • Hot Tub

Lodge with king-size four poster bed. Spa bath and walk-in shower. Large timber deck with sunken outdoor hot tub. Wi-Fi access. No pets.Images are representative and may not be the specific accommodation assigned on booking.

From £810 for 7 nights
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Gardeners Premier (Pet Friendly) photo 1
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Gardeners Premier (Pet Friendly)

  • Sleeps 4
  • Pets 3
  • Hot Tub

The forest’s largest lodge! Each bedroom has king-size four poster bed, with en suite walk-in shower and spa bath. Comfortably furnished central living and kitchen area leading onto a large timber deck with sunken outdoor hot tub. Wi-Fi access. Pet friendly.Images are representative and may not be the specific accommodation assigned on booking.

From £995 for 7 nights
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Poachers Lodge (Pet Friendly) photo 1
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Poachers Lodge (Pet Friendly)

  • Sleeps 2
  • Pets 2
  • Hot Tub

Open plan, perfect for a romantic break. King-size four poster bed, feature bath and separate spacious shower room. Large cosy leather sofa. Large timber deck with sunken outdoor hot tub. Wi-Fi access. Pet friendly.Images are representative and may not be the specific accommodation assigned on booking.

From £790 for 7 nights
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Woodmans Lodge

  • Sleeps 5
  • Hot Tub

Very spacious lodge ideal for families. One king-size four-poster bed with en suite modern shower, one twin and one single. Family bathroom with bath with overhead shower. Large timber deck with sunken outdoor hot tub. Wi-Fi access. No pets.Images are representative and may not be the specific accommodation assigned on booking.

From £865 for 7 nights
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Beekeepers (Pet Friendly)

  • Sleeps 5
  • Pets 3
  • Hot Tub

Exclusively designed for groups or families. One king-size four poster bed and one twin with additional guest bed and TV, both with en suite walk-in shower and spa bath. All the features of a Family Premier with fantastic large timber deck, new style sunken outdoor hot tub and comfy garden sofa, perfect for gathering with family and friends. Wi-Fi access. Pet friendly.

From £1,045 for 7 nights
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Top Days Out Near Griffon Forest

The best-known attractions within an easy drive of Griffon Forest, with real driving times.

Theme park and zoo 29 min drive · 18.1 miles

Flamingo Land

Sat nav: YO17 6UX

A theme park and zoo in one place, with big coasters, family rides and animal keeper talks.

  • Families
  • Thrill seekers
  • Full day
Read more

Flamingo Land is a theme park, zoo and resort at Kirby Misperton in North Yorkshire. It has been running since 1959 and was the first site in Europe to combine rides and a zoo. The theme park has eight themed areas, with thrill coasters such as Sik, Hero, Kumali and Velocity, plus gentler family and kids' rides.

Tip: Check the day's keeper talk and show times on the website before you go, and plan your route around them.

Stately home 12 min drive · 7.3 miles

Castle Howard

Sat nav: YO60 7DA

A Baroque house by Sir John Vanbrugh, with lakes, temples, an arboretum and an adventure playground.

  • Families
  • Dogs in the grounds
  • Half day
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Castle Howard is a Baroque country house in North Yorkshire, designed by Sir John Vanbrugh and home to the Howard family for over 300 years. Inside, you can explore grand galleries, bedrooms and a world-class art and sculpture collection. The house is also well known as a filming location, including for Brideshead Revisited and Bridgerton.

Tip: Buying tickets online costs less than buying at the Ticket Office, so book online. House and Gardens tickets include the playground.

Farm museum park 13 min drive · 8.1 miles

Murton Park

Sat nav: YO19 5UF

A family-friendly mix of farming museum, steam railway, animals and living history, just outside York.

  • Families
  • Dogs in the grounds
  • Half day
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Murton Park is set in 14 acres of countryside east of York and is home to the Yorkshire Museum of Farming. Inside you can explore the history of farm machinery, rural life and the Women's Land Army. Outdoors there are animals to meet, play areas, and a short ride on the Derwent Valley Light Railway at weekends.

Tip: The living history sites may have limited or no access during school term time, so visit at a weekend or in the school holidays to see the Roman fort and Viking village.

Gothic cathedral 16 min drive · 8.4 miles

York Minster

Sat nav: YO1 7HH

A Grade I listed cathedral with the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in the world.

  • Families
  • Rainy days
  • 2-3 hours
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York Minster is an Anglican cathedral in the city of York and the seat of the Archbishop of York. Most of the building dates from between 1220 and 1472. It keeps most of its medieval stained glass, including the huge east window, the largest expanse of medieval glass in the world, and the Five Sisters window in the north transept.

Tip: Pre-book your tickets, and note that a Minster ticket is valid for 12 months. The Central Tower needs a combined ticket and a minimum age of 8.

Railway museum 22 min drive · 11.3 miles

National Railway Museum

Sat nav: YO26 4XJ

Britain's national collection of historic railway vehicles, including Mallard and a Japanese bullet train, in York.

  • Families
  • Rainy days
  • Thrill seekers
  • Half day
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The National Railway Museum in York tells the story of rail transport in Britain and its impact on society. Around 100 locomotives and pieces of rolling stock are usually on show at York, alongside thousands of other objects. Highlights include the streamlined Mallard, Flying Scotsman, Duchess of Hamilton, the Royal Train saloons of "Palaces on Wheels" and a Japanese Shinkansen bullet train.

Tip: Check the official website before you go for current opening days and times, and book ahead for Wonderlab and the afternoon tea.

Viking museum 16 min drive · 8.6 miles

Jorvik Viking Centre

Sat nav: YO1 9WT

Ride back to the 10th century through a reconstructed Viking city on the site where it was excavated.

  • Families
  • Rainy days
  • 1-2 hours
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Jorvik Viking Centre sits in the heart of York, in the Coppergate Shopping Centre. Its ride takes you in a capsule through a reconstructed Viking city, with 360-degree views of life in the 10th century, including animated figures, sounds and smells.

Tip: Pre-booking is essential, so reserve a time slot ahead and arrive 10 minutes early for security checks.

Medieval castle keep 19 min drive · 9.5 miles

Clifford's Tower

Sat nav: YO1 9SA

Climb York Castle's medieval keep for 360-degree views across the city and stories from nearly a thousand years of history.

  • Couples
  • 1-2 hours
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Clifford's Tower is the largest surviving part of York Castle, northern England's greatest medieval fortress. Inside the tower you can explore key periods of its history, with fictional historic characters telling its tales, from the Harrying of the North and the tragic anti-Jewish pogrom of 1190 to the explosion of 1684 that destroyed the interior.

Tip: Booking early can save money, and arriving by bus, train or bike gets you a discount on entry bought at the site on the day.

Historic street 17 min drive · 8.5 miles

The Shambles

Sat nav: YO1 7LX

A narrow York street of overhanging timber-framed buildings, some dating back to the 14th century.

  • Families
  • Couples
Read more

The Shambles is a historic street in York, running between Newgate and Pavement. It is narrow, lined with timber-framed buildings whose jettied upper floors overhang the street by several feet. Many of the buildings date from around 1350 to 1475, and almost all of them are listed.

Tip: Look out for the meat-hooks still hanging outside some of the buildings, and explore the snickelways leading off the street to Shambles Market.

Drive times are typical times by car with no traffic. Check opening times and book tickets on each attraction's own website before you go.

Lodges Near Griffon Forest

Visitor Reviews of Griffon Forest

4.8Visitor Rating out of 5

44 reviews from guests who stayed at Griffon Forest

Lorna
Date of stay: 24th September 2025

Absolutely the best holiday, retreat, its such a beautiful healing place, stunning forest walks, fab Hot Tub, Dog friendly in alot of lodges, I seriously can't praise this place enough....love love love it!

Lisa
Date of stay: 15th September 2025

Beautiful lodge, comfortable beds. Well equipped kitchen with a large fridge and freezer.. We like the utility room and always make use of the washer and dryer. The outside area of the lodge had been upgraded since our last visit and was a fabulous addition, especially the covered area surrounding the new hot tub.If i was to make any suggestions I would say the pillows could do with being renewed and the dining chairs are quite hard to sit on, other than that it is our favourite place to stay

Verified Guest
Date of stay: 10th September 2025

No comments

Paul
Date of stay: 8th September 2025

Another wonderful stay at Griffon Forest- although we were unlucky with the weather this didnt spoil our stay- right from the warm welcome from a familiar face at reception to the friendly goodbye the staff we encountered were all great. Any issues were noted & advice given about how to enhance our stay.The lodges(weve stayed in 14 & 7) are of a high standard & my wife & I would absolutely recommend this fabulous location.

Melanie
Date of stay: 7th September 2025

Fantastic place to go highly recommended

Verified Guest
Date of stay: 31st August 2025

Perfect for a relaxing holiday, has literally everything you would need and to a high standard

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From £775
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