Forge Valley

{{Short description|Nature reserve in North Yorkshire, England}}

{{distinguish|Valley Forge}}

{{Use British English|date=June 2019}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2019}}

File:The River Derwent in Forge Valley - geograph.org.uk - 266404.jpg

Forge Valley is a national nature reserve in North Yorkshire, England, located within the North York Moors National Park on the East Ayton / Hackness road. The valley follows the route of the River Derwent and was formed by melting ice water at the end of the last ice age. The NNR at Forge Valley covers over {{convert|63|hectare}}.{{cite web |title=Nature Reserves - Hansard |url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/1988-02-08/debates/b09658c7-e607-49df-baf3-1cf87fc8de2a/NatureReserves |website=hansard.parliament.uk |accessdate=16 June 2019}}

The area is now covered with woodlands which are thought to be 6,000 years old. Forge Valley takes its name from the fact that charcoal was produced in these woods, for use in iron forges.{{cite web |title=Forge Valley Woods National Nature Reserve |url=https://www.northyorkmoors.org.uk/visiting/see-and-do/attractions/forge-valley |website=northyorkmoors.org.uk |accessdate=16 June 2019}} There was a foundry to the north of the valley in 1798.

{{cite book

|last = Rhea

|first = Nicholas

|authorlink =

|title = Portrait of the North York Moors

|publisher = R. Hale

|series =

|year = 1985

|doi =

|isbn = 9780709022763}}

Forge Valley is managed by Raincliffe Woods Community Enterprise CIC.{{cn|date=February 2022}}