Visit NIDDERDALE

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Please take one 

www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk 

2016 

Visit 

NIDDERDALE 

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 

Follow us on 

Upper Nidderdale Lower Nidderdale Mashamshire Washburn Valley Ilkley & Otley West of Ripon 

© EM 

A protected landscape at the 

heart of the Yorkshire Dales! 

View towards Gouthwaite Reservoir 

PLACES TO VISIT THINGS TO DO EVENTS, SHOWS AND FESTIVALS LOCAL FOOD 

TOUR DE YORKSHIRE CYCLING HORSE RIDING WALKING HERITAGE WILDLIFE

44 

Welcome to Nidderdale AONB 

38 

46Dry stone walling © PHP 

Heather Moorland 

12 

Pateley Bridge 

34 

Kayaking on Scar House Reservoir © PHP 

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Mountain Biking 

17 

Local produce © PHP 

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Studfold Trail © PHP 

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Local artist at work © PHP 

Contents 

18 

Fewston Reservoir © PHP 

3 Welcome 

4 Did you know that ... 

5 About AONBs 

6 Planning your visit 

7 Area map and main attractions 

8 Upper Nidderdale 

12 Lower Nidderdale 

17 Shows and Festivals 

18 The Southern AONB & Washburn 

Valley 

21 An inspirational landscape 

22 Mashamshire 

25 Get on your bike - a Tour de 

Yorkshire special 

Curlew © VisitEngland/NYMNPA/Colin Carter 

29 

Horse riding © Sally Wilson 

29 Saddle up 

30 The East 

34 Great days out 

36 A special place for wildlife 

38 Moor than meets the eye 

40 Walk Nidderdale AONB 

42 Fishpond Wood - A Flagship Heritage Site 

44 A taste of Nidderdale AONB 

45 Befriend the AONB 

46 AONB Events 

51 Tell us what you think - prize draw 

Masham Sheep Fair © PHP 

40 

Walking in Upper Nidderdale © JH 

Welcome to Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural 

Beauty – one of Britain’s finest landscapes! 

Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty 

(AONB) is a dramatic landscape of contrasts which 

has been shaped over thousands of years by the 

people who have lived and worked here. Whichever 

part of the AONB you choose to visit you are sure to 

be amazed at its beauty. 

Discover the wonderful Nidderdale Valley - from 

the remote heather moorland landscape of upper 

Nidderdale, dotted with beautiful reservoirs and 

charming stone built villages, to the river valley of 

lower Nidderdale with its lush green pastures and 

rolling farmland crisscrossed by dry stone walls. The 

scattered remains of former mine workings and other 

rural industries throughout the Dale remind us of the 

area’s rich industrial heritage. 

Explore Mashamshire and the monastic heritage of the 

eastern part of the AONB with the magnificent World 

Toft Gate Lime Kiln, Greenhow © PHP 

Heritage Site of Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal, 

and the stunning historic parks & gardens of Jervaulx 

Abbey and Hackfall. Delicious local produce can be 

found in abundance with ice cream, preserves and 

beer being just a few of the items on the menu. 

Enjoy the beautiful Washburn Valley in the south 

of the AONB, known to some as Yorkshire’s Lake 

District. This area is a haven for wildlife with pasture 

land, woodland, reservoirs, rivers and moorland, and 

offers plenty of opportunities for walking, fishing, bird 

watching and cycling. 

Read on for more information about the AONB and 

ideas for things to see and do, places to visit and events 

to take part in. Whether you are visiting for the first 

time or returning to a much-loved place Nidderdale 

AONB is a wonderful destination well worth taking 

the time to discover, explore and enjoy! 

Information in this guide is correct at the time of going to print (Jan 2016). 

Every effort has been made to ensure that information is accurate, however 

the AONB team cannot be held responsible for errors or omissions. Principal photography by Paul Harris Photography (PHP). Other 

Inclusion in this guide is not a recommendation by the AONB team and is images by Janina Holubecki (JH), Eric Moss (EM), Ian Whittaker 

not an endorsement of quality. (IM) or as credited. Uncredited images are owned by the AONB. 

Visit Nidderdale AONB 2016 3

Did you know ... 

Did you know that ... 

The AONB is 22 years 

old this year and was 

designated on the 

14 th February 1994. 

The AONB attracts 

around 1.2 

million visitors 

each year. 

In 2014/15 our conservation 

volunteers devoted around 

3,190 hours to conservation 

work in the AONB and our dry 

stone walling volunteers spent 

1,240 hours to repairing dry 

stone wallls across the AONB. 

About AONBs & the AONB Family 

About AONBs & Upper the AONB Nidderdale Family 

In the AONB there is: 

• 1 World Heritage Site 

• 14 Conservation Areas 

• 125 Scheduled Ancient Monuments 

• 574 Listed buildings 

• 3 Historic Parks and Gardens 

36% 

of the 

AONB is 

heather 

moorland. 

Nidderdale AONB 

covers 603km 2 

(233 miles 2 ) of 

land in the foothills of 

the Pennines in North 

Yorkshire. 

There are 

about 

200,000 

sheep in the 

AONB. 

There are 

914km (568 

miles) of public 

rights of way in the 

AONB. 

There are 11 reservoirs 

in the AONB. 7 are for 

water supply and 4 are 

compensation for water from 

the rivers Nidd, Washburn, 

Ure and Wharfe. When full 

they contain just under 11,000 

million gallons of water. 

The AONB has a population 

of around 16,000 people 

with 54 hamlets and villages 

- Pateley Bridge is the only town 

in the AONB. 

7% 

of the 

AONB is 

woodland. 

AONBs 

have the 

same level 

of protection as 

National Parks. 

Nidderdale 

AONB 

is one of 

a family of 46 

AONBs in the UK. 

95% 

of the AONB 

is in the 

Harrogate District and 

it is completely within 

the county of North 

Yorkshire. 

Nidderdale AONB is located on the eastern flanks of the Pennines in the heart of the Yorkshire 

Dales. It shares its western boundary with the Yorkshire Dales National Park, and stretches 

south towards the towns of Ilkley and Otley. To the north and east of the AONB are the towns of 

Masham, Knaresborough and Harrogate and the city of Ripon. 

“An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) 

is exactly what it says it is: an outstanding 

landscape whose distinctive character and 

natural beauty are so precious that it is in the 

nation’s interest to safeguard them.” 

www.landscapesforlife.org.uk 

England: 

1. Arnside & Silverdale 

2. Blackdown Hills 

3. Cannock Chase 

4. Chichester Harbour 

5. Chilterns 

6. Cornwall 

7. Cotswolds 

8. Cranborne Chase 

& West Wiltshire 

Downs 

9. Dedham Vale 

10. Dorset 

11. East Devon 

12. Forest of Bowland 

13. Howardian Hills 

14. High Weald 

15. Isle of Wight 

16. Isles of Scilly 

17. Kent Downs 

18. Lincolnshire Wolds 

19. Malvern Hills 

20. Mendip Hills 

21. Norfolk Coast 

22. North Devon 

23. North Pennines 

24. North Wessex 

Downs 

25. Nidderdale 

26. Northumberland 

Coast 

27. Quantock Hills 

28. Shropshire Hills 

29. Solway Coast 

30. South Devon 

31. Suffolk Coast & 

Heaths 

32. Surrey Hills 

33. Tamar Valley 

England and Wales: 

34. Wye Valley 

Wales: 

35. Clwydian Range & 

Dee Valley 

36. Gower 

37. Lleyn 

38. Anglesey 

Northern Ireland: 

39. Antrim Coast & 

Glens 

40. Causeway Coast 

41. Lagan Valley 

42. Mourne 

43. Binevenagh 

44. Ring of Gullion 

45. Sperrin 

46. Strangford Lough 

Upper Nidderdale © Ange Harker 

There are 46 AONBs in the United Kingdom and they 

cover 18% of our finest countryside. They were created 

alongside National Parks as a result of the ‘National Parks 

and Access to the Countryside Act 1949’. 

For more information visit 

www.landscapesforlife.org.uk 

4 www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk Visit Nidderdale AONB 2016 5 

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Map courtesy of www.landscapesforlife.org.uk

Planning your visit 

Map and main attractions 

Planning your visit 

Getting here 

Located in the heart of the 

Yorkshire Dales in North 

Yorkshire, close to Harrogate, 

Ripon, York and Leeds and 

bordering the Yorkshire Dales 

National Park, Nidderdale 

AONB is an ideal central point 

for exploring this beautiful part 

of the country. 

By bus: the Transdev Harrogate 

& District number 24 service runs 

regularly from Harrogate into the 

AONB through Lower Nidderdale 

to Pateley Bridge (www. 

harrogatebus.co.uk). Harrogate 

is easily accessible by bus from 

surrounding towns and cities such 

as York, Leeds and Ripon. 

By train: the nearest train station 

is Harrogate with regular services 

from Leeds and York. 

By plane: Leeds Bradford 

International Airport is about a 

10 minute drive from Otley at the 

southern end of the AONB or 30 

minutes from Harrogate. Regular 

bus services (737) run from the 

airport to Harrogate (737) or 

Otley (967). 

By road: the AONB is easily 

accessible from the A1(M) and 

the A61 to the east and the A65, 

A59, M65 and M62 to the south. 

The AONB is a 10 minute drive 

from Harrogate, 20 minutes from 

Skipton, 30 minutes from Leeds 

and only 45 minutes from the City 

of York. 

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In 2015 

the Nidderdale 

Plus Office in Pateley 

Bridge relocated and 

combined with other services to 

create a brand new one-stop-shop. 

The office now combines visitor 

information services, the library, 

community transport, police, business 

information, council customer 

service points and more. 

A n e w o n e-stop com m u ni t y of fic e for Pa t e l e y Bridge 

If you need more 

information whilst 

visiting the area why 

not visit a Tourist Information 

Centre. The friendly 

and knowledgeable staff can 

provide a wide range of information 

to help you make the most of your trip. 

Harrogate TIC 

Royal Baths, Crescent Road, 

HG1 2RR 

T: 01423 537300 

E: tic@harrogate.gov.uk 

W: www.visitharrogate.co.uk 

Ilkley TIC 

Station Road, LS29 8HB 

T: 01943 602319 

E: ilkley.vic@bradford.gov.uk 

W: www.visitilkley.com 

Mashamshire Community Office 

7 Little Market Place, Masham, 

HG4 4DY 

T: 01765 680200 

E: info@visitmasham.com 

W: www.visitmasham.com 

Open: Monday 10-6, Tues 

to Fri 10-4, Sat & Sun 

10-1. 

Nidderdale Plus Community Office 

Station Square, King Street, Pateley 

Bridge, HG3 5LE 

T: 01423 714953 

E: admin@nidderdaleplus.org 

W: www.nidderdaleplus.org 

Otley Library & TIC 

Nelson Street, LS21 1EZ 

T: 01943 462485 

E: otleytic@leeds.gov.uk 

W: www.visitotley.co.uk 

Ripon TIC 

Town Hall, Market Place South, 

HG4 1DD 

T: 01765 604625 

E: ripontic@harrogate.gov.uk 

W: www.visitharrogate.co.uk 

Main attractions 

Upper Nidderdale 

1 Middlesmoor village 

and church 

2 Scar House and 

Angram Reservoirs 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

The South 

1 Thruscross, Fewston 

and Swinsty Reservoirs 

2 Low Dam 

3 Washburn Heritage 

Centre 

4 Otley 

5 Ilkley 

2 

Studfold Explore, 

Discover & Learn Trail 

How Stean Gorge 

Coldstones Cut 

Toft Gate Lime Kiln 

Stump Cross Caverns 

For more help planning 

your visit see www. 

nidderdaleaonb.org.uk 

For information on 

exploring the wider 

Harrogate area visit www. 

visitharrogate.co.uk 

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Mashamshire 

1 Masham 

2 Black Sheep 

and Theakstons 

Breweries 

3 Jervaulx Abbey 

4 Bivouac 

5 Druids Temple 

The East 

1 Fountains 

Abbey & 

Studley 

Royal World 

Heritage Site 

2 

1 

Hackfall 

Lower Nidderdale 

1 Pateley Bridge 

2 King Street 

Workshops 

3 Nidderdale 

Museum 

4 Brimham Rocks 

5 Darley Mill 

Centre 

6 Nidderdale 

Llamas 

Visit Nidderdale AONB 2016 

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7


Discov e r 


Upper Nidderdale is characterised by its vast areas of moorland, sweeping 

views and reservoirs. It is home to several beautiful and traditional rural 

villages and some of the finest grouse moors in the country. 

8 www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk 

View towards Gouthwaite Reservoir © JH 

Key to symbols 

£ i £ 

Cashpoint / 

Post i Office 

£ i £ i 

Visitor 

information 

£ i £ i 

Regular 

bus route 

£ i £ i 

Doctors 

surgery 

£ i £ i 

Cafe / 

Tearoom 

£ i 

Pub 

MIDDLESMOOR 

Hotel / Inn 

Shop 

Toilets 

Petrol 

Food 

£ i£ i£ £ i 

A charming hamlet at the head of Nidderdale with 

cobbled streets and a real sense of tradition. Much 

of the hamlet dates from the 18 th century with few 

older buildings. This is one of Yorkshire’s highest 

settlements at just over 900ft above sea level. 

Things to do ... 

St Chad’s Church: there are excellent long 

distance views down Nidderdale from the 

churchyard and it is well worth a visit! 

LOFTHOUSE £ i£ i£ £ i 

£ i 

The village of Lofthouse grew out of a grange 

established by the monks of Fountains Abbey. Many 

of the houses in the village originate from the 18 th 

and 19 th centuries but the oldest dates back to 1676. 


Meadowdale Dairy Ice Cream: a small family run 

business that has been producing fresh milk from 

their Friesian herd since 1952. They also produce 

and sell delicious ice cream which can be bought 

from local shops and from their small farmhouse 

shop in Lofthouse village. Opening times vary 

but the shop is often open on weekends from 

Easter to October. 

Studfold - The Nidderdale Experience: an award 

winning caravan & camping park and adventure 

trail with a range of fun and exciting activities 

that will keep children occupied for hours. Solve 

clues to find secret boxes, follow giant footprints, 

search the wildflower meadow maze to find its 

secret, use your imagination in the giant story 

telling chair, follow the trail to find the larger 

than life hedgehog, collect something from the 

trail to weave into 

Studfold’s Loom 

and much more. 

There is also a 

small shop, picnic 

and play area. 

Open: Easter 

to end Sept - 

weekends, bank 

holidays and 

school holidays 

10.30am-5pm (last admission 

Studfold 

ad v en t u re trail 



3.30pm). Oct to Easter – closed. Prices: Adults 

£6, child £5, under 3s free. Concessions and 

family tickets also available. T: 01423 755084. E: 

info@studfold.com www.studfold.com 

How Stean Gorge: this spectacular 20 metre 

deep limestone gorge provides an action 

packed day out for all the family! At almost 

1km long it can be explored via a network of 

narrow paths, bridges, tunnels and caves. More 

adventurous visitors can challenge themselves 

with the Via Ferrata course - an aerial network 

of beams, ladders and cables - one of only two in 

England, or take part in outdoor activities such 

as climbing, canoeing or caving. There is also a 

tearoom serving 

delicious homemade 

food, a post office, 

a small shop, a 

children’s play area 

and a campsite. 

Open: daily 9am- 

6pm (closes at dusk 

in winter). Prices: 

Adult £5.75, child 

(5-16) £3.50, under 

5’s free, concessions 

£4, family £16. Additional charges apply 

for the Via Ferrata and outdoor activities, which 

must be pre-booked. T: 01423 755666. E: info@ 

howstean.co.uk. www.howstean.co.uk 

How Stea n Gorge 

© PHP 

Scar House and Angram Reservoirs: located high 

up at the head of Nidderdale, Scar House and 

Angram are well worth a visit and are great for 

walking. Today they are well known for their 

peace and solitude, however that hasn’t always 

been the case. There is a fascinating history 

around the building of Scar House Reservoir 

and less than 100 years ago the site was a noisy 

9



and dangerous 

work site buzzing 

with activity. 

Huge amounts of 

manpower had 

to be drafted 

in to build the 

reservoir and 

as a result a 

whole village 

was created. 

You can still see 

RAMSGILL 

Sitting at the top of Gouthwaite Reservoir, Ramsgill 

is a pretty village and was the principal grange of 

Byland Abbey. It is thought that the name Ramsgill 

may date from the 12 th century and probably means 

a “gill or valley, grove, wood or hollow where wild 

garlic grew.” 


Sca r Hous e 

Reservoir 

the remains of where the village once stood and 

the landscape is scarred by the old quarries and 

railway lines. With a bit of imagination you can 

picture the thriving community that once lived 

there. Work on Scar House Reservoir began on 

5 October 1921 and took 15 years to complete. 

There is a large free car park and toilets. 

£ i £ i 

© EM 

Ramsgill Studio: a gallery and working studio 

selling a selection of quality and interesting arts 

and crafts, both traditional and contemporary. 

Ramsgill Studio also runs a series of full day 

workshops but these must be pre-booked. Open: 

Thurs to Sun 11am-4pm. T: 01423 755098. www. 

ramsgillstudio.co.uk 

The Yorke Arms: a historic 18 th century coaching 

house and shooting lodge - now home to a 

Michelin starred restaurant with rooms. 

Gouthwaite Reservoir: Although built to help with 

the supply of water, Gouthwaite Reservoir is also 

a nature reserve and a Site of Special Scientific 

Interest due to the vast range of wildlife that it 

supports. It is very popular with birdwatchers 

and there is a small viewing platform on the 

edge of the reservoir. A sandmartin wall has also 

recently been built to provide a valuable nesting 

habitat for these birds. Where: between Wath 

and Ramsgill on the road from Pateley Bridge to 

Middlesmoor. There is a small car park on the 

roadside near to Ramsgill village. 

WATH 

A small, picturesque and unspoilt hamlet with 

some interesting historic buildings. The name Wath 

probably comes from the Scandinavian meaning 

“ford”, referring to the crossing over the River Nidd 

at the position of the present bridge. 

GREENHOW 

Located high above Pateley Bridge at around 1300ft 

above sea level, Greenhow village sits on the shared 

boundary of Nidderdale AONB and the Yorkshire 

Dales National Park. It has extensive remains of the 

lead mining, quarrying and lime burning industries 

and is home to Coldstones Quarry which still 

operates today. 


© PHP 

£ i £ i 

Toft Gat e Li m e 

Ki l n 

Toft Gate Lime Kiln: 

the remains of this 

Lime Kiln, which was 

built in the 1860s, 

can be explored via 

a short trail with a 

series of information 

boards. Access is via 

a small car park on 

the outskirts of the 

village. Prices: Free. 

Open: 24/7. 

Coldstones Cut: this 

dramatic sculpture 

was designed 

to illustrate the 

connection between 

the landscape 

and the quarry. 

It also acts as a 

viewing platform 

offering superb 

long distance 

views over 

the surrounding landscape and down into the 

working quarry. Access: The Cut is signposted 

from Toft Gate car park from where it is a 500 

© PHP 

£ i 

Coldstones Cut 

metre, fairly steep walk. Prices: Free. Open: 24/7. 

www.thecoldstonescut.org 

Stump Cross 

Caverns: one of 

Britain’s premier 

show caves, 

discovered in 1860 

by miners who 

were looking for 

lead seams. The 

extensive cave 

system is filled 

with complex 

and colourful 

© PHP 

St u m p Cross 

Ca v e rns 

stalactite and stalagmite formations dating back 

up to 200,000 years. There is also a lecture theatre 

showing a 20 minute film about the cave and the 

surrounding area, a tearoom serving a variety 

of homemade cakes and meals, and a gift shop. 

Open: February half term to 30 November – daily 

10am-5.30pm (last admission 4.30pm). Please 

check website for winter opening times. Prices: 

Adults £7.50, child (4-14) £4.95, under 4’s free. T: 

01756 752780. www.stumpcrosscaverns.co.uk 

Provid ence Sm e l t 

Mi l l 

Greenhow Geology 

Trail: this route will 

take you on a journey 

back in time from 

the present day to 

the Ice Age, then to 

tropical conditions 

300-350 million years 

ago where you can 

discover fossils from 

the tropical seas 

and forests. You can 

look down 100m into the inside of the hill from 

the Coldstones Cut and then drop right down 

into the valley where you see the impact of man’s 

search for lead and fluorspar. You can also look 

for crystals of your own in the material the miners 

threw away as waste, before climbing back up 

the hill to the mining village of Greenhow where 

again the geology has been greatly disturbed 

by the miners. Start from Toft Gate Car Park. 

A route booklet is available for 50p from the 

Nidderdale Plus Office in Pateley Bridge. 

5 things you should do 

before you leave Upper 

Nidderdale ... 

1Go for a walk around Scar 

House Reservoir - enjoy 

the peace and solitude, 

see the remains of the village 

that once stood, explore the 

ruined hamlet of Lodge and 

keep your eyes and ears open 

for wildlife. 

2Find clues in secret boxes, 

search the wildflower maze 

and follow giant footprints 

at the award winning ‘Studfold - 

The Nidderdale Experience’. 

3Explore Greenhow village 

and its amazing industrial 

heritage - the Geology 

Trail, Toft Gate Lime Kiln and 

Coldstones Cut are a must. 

4Scramble along How Stean 

Gorge, traverse narrow 

bridges and pathways, 

explore Tom Taylor’s Cave, and 

brave the Via Ferrata. 

5Admire the spectacular 

view from Middlesmoor 

churchyard. 

© Leanne Fox 

© PHP 

© PHP 

© JH 


Visit Nidderdale AONB 2016 11


Discov e r 



Cashpoint / 

Post Office 


information 

Regular 

bus route 

Doctors 

surgery 

Cafe / 

Tearoom 

Pub 

PATELEY 

BRIDGE 

A small picturesque town in the heart 

of the AONB with a range of shops, 

attractions and places to eat. Situated 

on the edge of the River Nidd, Pateley 

Bridge is the only town entirely within the AONB. 


Hotel / Inn 

Shop 

Toilets 

Petrol 

Food 

King Street Craft Workshops: home to a small 

group of highly talented and skilled craftspeople 

who design and make exclusive pieces in a 

variety of materials including ceramic, stone, 


glass, precious metals and gemstones. The 

workshops welcome visitors to browse, buy or 

even commission a special piece. Opening times 

vary. www.kingstreetworkshops.co.uk 

Number 6 Studio Gallery: a visual arts space 

where a varied programme of art courses and 

exhibitions take place throughout the year. It 

caters for all ages and abilities and is a great 

resource for all those interested and working in 

the visual arts. T: 01423 712216. www.numbersix. 

info 

Nidderdale Museum: this fascinating museum 

has 11 rooms which illustrate the rural life of 

Nidderdale, including an original cobbler’s 

shop, school room, and Victorian parlour. There 

is wheelchair access and toilets. Open: Easter 

to Oct – daily 1.30pm-4.30pm. Nov to Easter - 

weekends only 1.30pm-4.30pm. Prices: Adults 

£2, concessions £1, accompanied children free. 

T: 01423 711225. www.nidderdalemuseum.com 

Oldest Sweet Shop in England: take a step back 

in time in this charming sweet shop which sells 

a wonderful range of traditional old fashioned 

sweets. www.oldestsweetshop.co.uk 

The River Nidd is the central feature, flowing through the AONB’s 

principal town, Pateley Bridge, and on through traditional villages such as 

Glasshouses, Low Laithe, Summerbridge, Dacre and Darley. Much of this 

landscape has been shaped by its industrial past and a number of old mills 

and mill workers’ cottages still remain. The valley sides support large tracts 

of ancient semi-natural broad-leaved woodland and there are many tranquil 

riverside spots to enjoy a walk, picnic or the peace and quiet. 

12 


Lower Nidderdale © EM 


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Nidderdale Pool & Leisure Centre: a small 

swimming pool and fitness centre offering a 

range of activities. T: 01423 711442. 

BEWERLEY 

A small pretty village on the opposite side of the 

River Nidd to Pateley Bridge. It has a village green 

which looks stunning in spring when its cherry trees 

are covered in blossom. 


Yorke’s Fol l y 

Yorke’s Folly: the Grade 

II listed Yorke’s Folly 

dominates the skyline 

above the village of 

Bewerley, and sits on 

the Nidderdale Way. 

It was commissioned 

by the Yorke family 

and like the Druid’s 

Temple (see page 23) 

it was constructed to 

provide employment in a recession. 

The three shafts that were originally built in 

the late 18 th century were designed to look like 

the ruin of an east window or church crossing. 

Locally known as ‘Two Stoops’, one of the shafts 

was blown down in a storm in 1893. 

Fishpond Wood: this is one of the area’s hidden 

secrets… loved by those in the know but 

overlooked by many. Tucked away in Bewerley, 

it is a rare and regionally important example of a 

designed landscape from the 18 th century. It has 

recently undergone some restoration work through 

the Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership (see 

p42), including repairs to the wonderful ice house 

and maintenance to the pond. Access: is from 

Bewerley village. 

GLASSHOUSES 

A small village just one mile from Pateley Bridge, 

which was once the centre of a thriving textile 

industry. Glasshouses is now a conservation area 

and it is thought that the name may come from the 

old English “glass hus”, meaning the house where 

glass was made. 

WILSILL 

A small village with some beautiful historic 

properties. 


Nidderdale Llamas: 

a unique experience 

and a totally 

different way to 

enjoy the beautiful 

countryside of the 

AONB. Llamas 

are very friendly 

with amazing 

personalities. You 

© PHP 

Tre kking with 

Nidderda le Llamas 

can meet them, along with alpacas, 

and enjoy the stunning Nidderdale countryside if 

you book an experience or a trek. This activity is 

highly rated on Trip Advisor, in fact it has been 

the No.1 attraction in the Harrogate area for 

over 3 years! It’s a must do for adults or families 

with older children. There are a wide range of 

packages available but they ALL must be booked 

in advance. Not suitable for children under 7 

years. T: 01423 711052. www.nidderdalellamas.org 

The Firs Tearoom 

Summerbridge HG3 4JF 

Delicious home cooked 

food served all day 

Bed & Breakfast 

Judith Worth 

Tel: 01423 781715 

Village location close to Pateley 

Bridge and Brimham Rocks 

www.thefirssummerbridge.co.uk 

One of Yorkshire’s Top Attractions! 

Llama Trekking in the Yorkshire Dales! 

AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE 

Relax in stunning 

scenery accompanied 

by our amazing 

friendly animals 

Picnic treks Hen parties 

Family experiences 

Private parties welcome 

PRE-BOOKING ESSENTIAL 

web/email/telephone 

Suzanne Benson 

Nidderdale Llamas 

Kiln Farm, Wilsill, 

Pateley Bridge, Harrogate 

Tel. 01423 711052 

www.nidderdalellamas.org 

info@nidderdalellamas.org 

SUMMERBRIDGE 

One of the larger villages in the AONB with a range 

of local amenities. 


14 

Brimham Rocks: 

owned by the National 

Trust, this amazing 

collection of weird 

and wonderful rock 

formations is scattered 

over 50 acres of 

moorland and can 

be explored via a 

labyrinth of paths. 

Brimham Rocks 

enjoy spectacular views over 

the surrounding countryside and provide a great 

family day out. Facilities include a visitor centre, 

shop and a refreshment kiosk. Some paths are 

suitable for wheelchair users. Open: Rocks - daily 

(8am to dusk) all year round. Visitor Centre & 

Brimham Rocks 

exploring 

Brimham Rocks 

Discover nature's sculpture 

park, open to explore all 

year round. Formed more 

than 320 million years ago 

you can find us near 

Harrogate, HG3 4DW. 

01423 780688 

nationaltrust.org.uk/brimhamrocks 

Refreshment Kiosk - daily 11am to 5pm from 28 th 

www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk Visit Nidderdale AONB 2016 15 

© PHP 

© National Trust Images. Registered Charity Number 205846.


May to 2 nd October. Weekends, bank holidays and 

local school holidays from October to May. Prices: 

Admission is free but there is a charge for car 

parking. T: 01423 780688. www.nationaltrust.org. 

uk/brimham-rocks 

Birchfield Family 

Dairies: this family 

run farm is home 

to award winning 

real jersey dairy 

ice cream and 

farmhouse butters 

made on the 

premises, using 

milk from their 

own herd. There 

is an ice cream 

parlour and tearoom selling over 20 flavours of 

ice cream, a variety of other dairy products and 

light refreshments. Events and activities take place 

through the year as well as a maize maze, which 

is open in the summer. T: 01423 781792. www. 

birchfieldicecream.co.uk 

DACRE 

This village has two parts - known locally as Dacre 

Banks and Dacre Top. 

DARLEY 

A large village in central Nidderdale which was part 

of Knaresborough Forest in the 12 th century. The 

name Darley is thought to mean ‘deer glade’ and the 

village is home to a number of listed buildings with 

an interesting history. 


© Darley Mill 

Da rl e y Mill 

Centre 

© PHP 

Darley Mill Centre: a 

Grade II listed 17 th 

century corn mill 

that sits on the banks 

of the River Nidd 

and operates as a 

retail outlet selling 

a wide range of 

home furnishings 

including linens, 

homeware and gifts. 

The building retains 

many original features including its huge 


Enjoying ice cream 

at Birchfield Farm 

water wheel, which has been fully restored to 

working order. There is also a children’s play area, 

restaurant and free on site parking. The ground 

and first floor are wheelchair accessible. Open: 

9.30am-5.30pm Mon to Sat and 11am-5pm on 

Sunday. T: 01423 780857. www.darleymill.com 

BIRSTWITH 

Sitting on the edge of the AONB Birstwith is a lovely 

village with a strong community feel. 

5 things you should do 

before you leave Lower 

Nidderdale ... 

1Try a delicious pork pie 

from each of the local, 

award winning butchers, 

and decide which is your 

favourite. 

2Take a short walk from 

Pateley Bridge to Bewerley 

and discover Fishpond 

Wood and the newly restored 

ice house. 

3Explore the weird and 

wonderful rock formations 

at Brimham Rocks - with 

a Nidderdale Llama as your 

companion if you choose. 

4Watch the crafts people in 

action at the King Street 

Workshops in Pateley 

Bridge, and treat yourself to 

something beautiful to take 

home. 

5Visit the Nidderdale 

Museum and learn about 

the story of Nidderdale. 

© PHP 

© PHP 

© PHP 

Local events and festivals 

You’ll never be short of things to do in Nidderdale AONB but as well as a great range of 

attractions there is a whole host of special events that take place throughout the year. 

Tour de Yorkshire: Fri 29 April to Sun 1 May 

A three day cycling event for the worlds best cyclists. On 

day one the race will come right through Nidderdale. See 

p26. 

Otley Walking Festival: Sat 25 June to Sun 3 July 

A range of guided walks exploring the wonderful 

countryside in and around Otley. With short town-based 

walks, themed walks, strenuous moorland hikes and a 

full evening programme of events there is something for 

everyone. www.otleywalkingfestival.co.uk 

Masham Steam Engine & Fair Organ Rally: Sat 16 & 

Sun 17 July 

A celebration of the country’s finest engineering and 

agricultural heritage. You will find traction engines, steam 

wagons, rollers, tractors, fair organs and much more. www. 

spanglefish.com/mashamsteamrally 

Pateley Bridge 1940s Weekend: Fri 29 to Sun 31 July 

The atmosphere of Wartime Britain is created through a 

host of wartime entertainment in the town including living 

military re-enactors, displays of military vehicles, 1940s 

singers, brass bands, period stalls and much more. www. 

nidderdale.co.uk/event/pateley-bridge-1940s-weekend-2016 

NiddFest: Fri 5 to Sun 7 August 

A unique, family friendly festival, offering a weekend of 

talks and outside events for nature lovers of all ages. Come 

and be inspired by some of the UK’s leading writers talking 

about all things wild and wonderful. Join us for guided 

walks across the remotest reaches of the moor, for ambles 

along the river or on foraging expeditions in the woods. 

Full details and tickets at www.niddfest.com 

Nidd Art Trail: Fri 19 to Mon 29 August 

This annual event encourages local people and visitors to 

explore the AONB, as the work of more than 50 artists and 

SHOW 

Diary 

Otley Show 

Sat 21 May 

www.otleyshow.org.uk 

Askwith & District 

Show 

Sat 11 June 

Local events and festivals 

craft makers is shown in the artists’ own studios, galleries 

and community centres. www.niddart.org.uk 

Pateley Bridge Walking Festival: Thur 22 to Sun 25 

September 

With a selection of walks each day designed to tempt 

even the most reluctant walkers to pull on their boots 

and explore the countryside on foot, this festival offers 

something for everyone. www.pbwf.co.uk 

Masham Sheep Fair: Sat 24 & Sun 25 September 

This fantastic event commemorates Masham’s long history 

of sheep sales, whilst raising much money for charity. 

For two days Masham market square is filled with many 

different breeds of sheep and the town is filled with ‘sheepy’ 

fun and entertainment including judging, events, trade 

stands, crafts, demonstrations and exhibitions. www. 

mashamsheepfair.com 

Fountains Abbey Events 

A range of events take place throughout the year including 

Abbey tours, photography workshops, wildlife walks 

and childrens crafts. See www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ 

fountainsabbey for a full listing. 

Get a real taste of rural life at one of the area’s many agricultural 

shows and country fairs. With livestock and produce judging, trade 

and craft stalls, games, entertainment, fantastic local food and much 

much more, they are not to be missed! 

Birstwith Show 

Sat 30 Ju l y 

www.birstwithshow.com 

Ripley Show 

Su n 14 August 

www.ripleyshow.co.uk 

Masham Sheep Fair © PHP 

Nidderdale Show 

Mon 19 September 

www.nidderdaleshow. 

co.uk 


17

The Southern AONB & Washburn Valley 

Discov er the 

Southern AONB & 

Washburn Valley 

Explore the Washburn Valley, known to some as Yorkshire’s Lake District, 

with its charming villages and hamlets, and the traditional towns of Ilkley 

and Otley with their vast range of shops, restaurants and attractions. 

The Valley encompasses a wide range of habitats including pasture land, 

woodland, reservoirs, rivers and moorland. With its rich heritage, vast 

range of flora and fauna, and various opportunities for recreation, it is a 

truly delightful area to explore. 


Fewston Reservoir © PHP 


Cashpoint / 

Post Office 


information 

Regular 

bus route 

Doctors 

surgery 

Cafe / 

Tearoom 

Pub 

ILKLEY 

A Victorian spa town on the edge of the AONB with 

a wonderful range of shops, eateries and attractions. 

www.visitilkley.com 


Manor House Art Gallery & Museum: this 

museum and art gallery, in one of Ilkley’s 

oldest buildings, gives visitors a glimpse into 

Ilkley’s past and its development as a Victorian 

spa town. Open: Wed to Sat 11am-5pm, Sun 

1pm-4pm. Price: free. T: 01943 600066. www. 

bradfordmuseums.org/venues/visit/manor-houseart-gallery-museum 

OTLEY 

Hotel / Inn 

Shop 

Toilets 

Petrol 

Food 

A traditional Yorkshire market town 

located on the banks of the River 

Wharfe. It has a good range of shops, 

eateries and attractions and is the host 

of the country’s oldest agricultural show. It is also a 

‘Walkers are Welcome’ town. www.visitotley.co.uk 


Otley Courthouse: an arts and resource centre in a 

redundant 19 th century magistrates’ court, which 

hosts a varied programme of events, exhibitions 

and activities. There is also a café (open Mon to 

Sat 10am to 3pm). Open: 7 days a week. T: 01943 

467466. www.otleycourthouse.org.uk 

BLUBBERHOUSES 

A small hamlet on the edge of Fewston Reservoir. 

A perfect starting point for exploring the wonderful 

Washburn Valley. 



Mackenzies Smokehouse: offers an extensive 

range of smoked food products including cheese, 

fish, bacon, ham, poultry and game. It has its 

own food and gift shop and a restaurant where 

you can sample some of their food first hand. 

Open: Mon to Sat 9am-4.30pm, Sun 10am- 

4pm. T: shop - 01943 810001, restaurant - 01943 

810000. www.yorkshiresmokehouse.co.uk 

Low Dam: located 

alongside the River 

Washburn between 

Blubberhouses and 

Thruscross, the 

Low Dam area is a 

haven for wildlife, 

combining 

wooded slopes, 

standing water 

and the river 

itself. It has some 

wonderful historical features 

and is designated as a Site of Importance for 

Nature Conservation (SINC) due to its richness 

in flora and fauna. It is very popular with 

walkers, canoeists and naturalists. Access is via 

a public footpath opposite Fewston Reservoir 

car park on the A59 at Blubberhouses or from 

Thruscross Reservoir car park. 

TIMBLE 

A beautiful, sleepy village situated close to Swinsty 

and Fewston reservoirs. 


Low Da m 

Timble Ings: a large 

area of woodland 

on the western side 

of the Washburn 

Valley, owned 

and managed by 

Yorkshire Water. 

‘Ings’ is an old 

Norse word 

for ‘seasonally 

flooded 

land’, and 

the site is designated as a Site of 

Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC) due 

to its rich variety of habitats and wide range of 

Ti m b le Ings 


19


An inspirational landscape 

flora and fauna. Access: there are public rights of 

way through the woodland and on the adjacent 

moorland - we recommend that you use OS map 

297 for details of the routes. Limited car parking is 

available opposite Anchor Farm at grid reference 

SE170542 or along the dirt track at SE165530. 

FEWSTON 

A tiny village with a scattering of properties on the 

edge of Swinsty Reservoir. 


Washburn Heritage Centre: adjoining Fewston 

Church, with access from Swinsty Reservoir, this 

Heritage Centre displays exhibitions about the 

area’s heritage, hosts a varied events programme 

and provides a venue for community events 

and concerts. There is also a café serving light 

refreshments. Open: Apr to Oct – Sat & Sun 

11am-4.30pm. Nov to Mar - Sun 11am-4pm. Also 

open Bank Holidays (excluding Christmas Day, 

Boxing Day). Price: free. www.washburnvalley. 

org 

More things to do in the 

Washbu rn Valley ... 

© PHP 

Fewston Res e rvoi r 

Reservoirs: during the 

18 th and 19 th centuries, 

the cities of Leeds 

and Bradford grew 

rapidly and demand 

for water was high. 

As a result four 

reservoirs were built 

in the Washburn 

Valley between 

1869 and 1966. 

The creation of 

Lindley Wood, Swinsty, 

Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs changed the 

landscape forever as villages, mills and land 

were all lost to the rising waters. Today the 

reservoirs and surrounding area are a haven for 

wildlife and also provide fantastic opportunities 

for recreation, including walking, fishing and 

canoeing. Owned by Yorkshire Water, they have 

good public access and are well worth exploring 

via a network of paths. Walk routes and podcasts 

can be downloaded from www.yorkshirewater. 

com 

Moorland: the moors on the western side of the 

Washburn Valley are wild and beautiful. They are 

designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest 

(SSSI) and are internationally important for birds. 

The moorland supports plants such as bilberry, 

cowberry, sundew, cotton grass and cross-leaved 

heath, which in turn supports bird species like 

Red Grouse, Curlew, Merlin and Golden Plover. 

Access: there is a network of rights of way across 

farmland onto the moors and once the unenclosed 

land is reached much of it is accessible on foot in 

accordance with Open Access. 

5 things you should 

do before you leave the 

Southern AONB and 

Washburn Valley ... 

1 

Stretch your legs and 

walk around Thruscross, 

Fewston and Swinsty 

Reservoirs. Fewston and 

Swinsty have surfaced paths 

and Swinsty is accessible for 

wheelchairs and pushchairs. 

2Visit an exhibition at 

the Washburn Heritage 

Centre, take part in an 

event and enjoy tea & cake in 

the cafe. 

3Explore the spa town of 

Ilkley and the market town 

of Otley. 

4Discover the vast array of 

wildlife at Low Dam and 

Timble Ings. 

5Sample some delicious 

produce from Mackenzies 

Smokehouse. 

An inspirational landscape 

For centuries the stunning landscape of the 

Yorkshire Dales has provided inspiration for 

writers, artists and poets. Perhaps one of 

the greatest is JMW Turner (1775-1851) who 

painted over 100 watercolours of the Yorkshire 

Landscape, a number of which were in the 

AONB. 

Dob Park Lodge, Washburn 

Valley: an early 17 th century 

lodge north of Otley which is 

now in ruins. Work by Turner: 

‘On the Washburn, under Folly 

Hall’. the focus of the painting 

is the river but the ruined towers can be seen in the 

distance. Grid ref of viewpoint: SE 190513 

Fountains Abbey: a wonderful 

Cistercian Abbey ruin on the 

outskirts of Ripon. Work by 

Turner: A number of sketches 

and paintings including ‘The 

Dormitory and Transept of Fountain’s Abbey - 

Evening’ and ‘Interior of Fountains Abbey’. 

Grid ref: SE 275682 

© T J Blackwell 

Hackfall: a stunning Grade 

1 listed woodland garden 

near Masham, with follies, 

grottos, waterfalls and surprise 

views. Work by Turner: Many 

sketches and paintings including 

‘Hackfall, near Ripon’, ‘The River Ure at Hackfall, 

near Ripon’ and ‘Mobray Lodge, Ripon’. 


Jervaulx Abbey: a beautiful 

ruined Cistercian Abbey near 

Masham. Work by Turner: a 

number of sketches. 


Masham Market Place: an 

attractive market town with 

Yorkshire’s largest market 

square. Work by Turner: a 

number of sketches. 


Discover more of the places across Yorkshire that 

inspired Turner at www.yorkshire.com/turner 



21

Mashamshire 

Discov e r 

Mashamshire 

Mashamshire lies to the north east of the AONB where the landscape is 

gentle and rolling, with ancient woodlands and hedgerows in place of dry 

stone walls. The area is rich in history with ancient abbeys, historic parks 

and gardens and grand country estates - all fascinating to explore. 

22 


Masham Market Place 


Cashpoint / 

Post Office 


information 

Regular 

bus route 

Doctors 

surgery 

Cafe / 

Tearoom 

Pub 

MASHAM 

A traditional market town located on 

the north-eastern edge of the AONB. 

Masham boasts the largest market 

square in Yorkshire surrounded by 

impressive Georgian houses. Traditionally the market 

square was the site of an annual sheep sale where as 

many as 70,000 sheep were sold every year. The town 

is also home to a wide range of attractions, eateries, 

shops and galleries. 


Hotel / Inn 

Shop 

Public 

toilets 

Petrol 

Food 

MARKET 

DAY 

Wed and Sat 

Uredale Glass: watch the craftsmen in action as 

they make vases, bowls, paperweights, tableware 

and gifts. Where: off Masham market square, 

behind the Kings Head Hotel. HG4 4EF. Open: 

Thurs to Sun 10.30am-4.30pm. T: 01765 689780. 

www.uredale.co.uk 

ArtisOn: try your hand at one of the many short art 

and craft skills workshops and learn anything from 

print making to willow weaving, jewellery making 

to glass blowing. Masham is home to a number of 

very talented crafts people and this superb venue is 

run by a group of them. Where: High Burton, near 

Masham, HG4 4BS. T: 01765 689637. www.artison. 

co.uk 

Masham Swifts: discover the series of Swift 

sculptures as you explore this beautiful market 

town. The Masham Swifts were commissioned as 

the legacy project of the Masham Arts Festival. 

(2000-2013). A trail leaflet is available from the 

Masham Community Office. 

Theakstons Brewery: founded in 1827 it started as a 

small family business, which grew rapidly as their 

beer became popular. Following several changes 

of hands it is now an independent family business 

once more with a visitor centre, shop and guided 

brewery tours. See website for prices and opening 

times. T: 01765 680000. www.theakstons.co.uk 


Mashamshire 

Black Sheep Brewery: established in Masham 

in October 1992, this brewery is now a year 

round attraction with informative and amusing 

brewery tours, a shop and a bistro serving home 

cooked food. Where: Masham, HG4 4EN. Open: 

Mon to Wed 10am-5pm, Thurs to Sat 10am- 

11pm, Sun 10am-5pm. T: 01765 680101. www. 

blacksheepbrewery.com 

Swinton Park Birds 

Of Prey: Swinton 

Park Birds of 

Prey Centre 

offers a wide 

range of falconry 

experiences for 

families, groups 

and individuals. 

Open to both 

hotel guests and 

non-residents 

but pre-booking is essential. 

Falcon ry session 

at Swinton Pa rk 

Where: Swinton Park, Masham, HG4 4JN. T: 01765 

680900. www.swintonpark.com/falconry 

ILTON 


DALES ACCOMMODATION 

Masham 

Hollybreen - 4* B&B 

Poppy Cottage - 4* Self Catering 

T: 01677 460216 

dalesaccommodation@gmail.com 

www.dalesaccommodation.org.uk 

© Leanne Fox 

Swinton Bivouac: part of the Swinton Park estate, 

this wonderfully rustic and sustainable site has 

a range of ‘off grid’ accommodation including 

six original, hand crafted, timber frame shacks 

tucked away in beautiful woodland, eight canvas 

Yurts burrowed into the hillside and a cosy bunk 

barn that can sleep up to 12 people. There is also 

a café serving delicious food and drinks, and a 

variety of events and activities throughout the 

year. T: 01765 535020. www.swintonbivouac.co.uk 

Druid’s Temple: situated next to Bivouac in the 

middle of a pine forest, this folly was created 

Bank Villa 

Guest House 

Masham, HG4 4DB 

Award winning AA 4 star 

Gold accommodation. 

Immaculate rooms offer 

comfort with style. 

Quality breakfast using 

local produce. 

Perfect location in Masham. 

Contact us on 01765 689605 

stay@bankvilla.com 

www.bankvilla.com 

23

Mashamshire 

by William Danby 

in the early 1800s 

to look something 

like Stonehenge. 

It features an oval 

of altars, menhirs, 

dolmens and sarsens, 

and several solitary 

standing stones line 

an avenue that leads 

to the temple. It is 

thought that this 

labour-intensive work was to relieve 

some of the unemployment in the area and workers 

were paid a shilling a day. There are wonderful 

views towards Leighton Reservoir. Swinton Estate, 

owners of the Temple and surrounding plantation, 

welcome considerate visitors. 

©EM 

Druid’s Te m p l e 

JERVAULX 


Brymor Ice Cream Parlour: a family business 

for over 30 years. This delicious ice cream is 

produced using only milk from their own herd 

of pedigree Guernsey cows that graze nearby 

pastures. The parlour sells over 35 flavours of ice 

cream and sorbets for cones and sundaes, as well 

as ice cream gateaux. They also serve hot drinks 

and light snacks and there is a childrens indoor 

and outdoor play area. Where: High Jervaulx 

Farm, HG4 4PG. Open: Daily 10am-6pm. T: 

01677 460337. www.brymordairy.co.uk 

Jervaulx Abbey: 

founded in 1156 by 

Cistercian Monks 

who had arrived 

from France 

following the 

Norman Conquest, 

this enchanting 

Abbey eventually 

became one 

of the busiest 

and wealthiest 

religious houses. 

It takes its name from the medieval word for 

valley, and the River Ure or Yorre, ‘Jur’. Now in 

private ownership, this beautiful site is carefully 

managed with conservation in mind and it is 

noted for more than 180 species of wild flowers 

and shrubs growing amidst its ruins. It is a place 

of great beauty, tranquillity and history and is 

a wonderful site to visit. The Abbey also has a 


Je rva u l x Ab b e y 

tearoom, which has a scale model of how the 

Abbey would have looked. Where: Jervaulx, 

HG4 4PH. Open: Abbey - daily during daylight 

hours. Tearoom - February to November, 10am 

- 4/5pm. Prices: £1 for car parking. £3 per adult 

- visitors are asked to use the honesty box at the 

abbey entrance. www.jervaulxabbey.com 

FEARBY 

Fearby is first mentioned in the Domesday Book as 

Federbi, with a population of eight villagers and one 

smallholder. The element -by is of Old Norse origin, 

meaning “village”, and it is thought that the name 

means either “four villages” or “feather village”. 


do before you leave 

Mashamshire ... 

1Get creative at a craft 

workshop at ArtisOn 

and then visit Masham’s 

galleries to see the wonderful 

work of local crafts people. Why 

not buy a piece to take home! 

2Try a delicious ice cream 

from Brymor. Allow plenty 

of time though to choose 

from the 35 flavours on offer! 

3Explore Druid’s Temple 

and try some delicious 

home made food at The 

Bivouac. 

4Tour the local breweries 

and sample their beer in 

the local pubs. 

5Visit the stunning ruins 

of Jervaulx Abbey with 

its many species of 

wildflower. 

© Visit England/Diana Jarvis 

© PHP 

© EM 

© PHP 

Get on your bike 

A four page cycling special in celebration of the 

Tour de Yorkshire 2016 

In April 2016 the Tour de Yorkshire will bring 

over 100 of the world’s best cyclists to the roads 

around Nidderdale. 

On the 29 April Stage One of the three day Tour 

will see the race start in Beverley on the east coast, 

and travel West across country to its finish in 

Settle. The riders will pass through Wetherby and 

Knaresborough before entering the AONB near 

Ripley. They will then head along the Nidderdale 

Valley, past the spectacular Brimham Rocks, and 

down Pateley Bridge high street before taking on the 

gruelling climb of ‘Cote de Greenhow Hill’. 

© EM 

This is the first big climb of the race and the dramatic 

270m ascent gives outstanding views over the AONB. 

The summit also has King of the Mountains status, 

which means that the first riders over the top will get 

points for the Mountains Category jersey. As this is 

the only categorised climb of the day the first rider 

over Greenhow will be awarded the King of the 

Mountains jersey at the end of the day. 

It looks set to be a spectacular day and we will 

definitely be watching as the riders make their way 

through the AONB. We hope you will join us! 


25

Planning your visit for the 

Tour de Yorkshire 

The weekend of the 29 April looks set to be a great one and the 

AONB is the perfect place to base yourself as the route goes right 

through Nidderdale. The only King of the Mountains stage on day 

one is also in the AONB so you can be sure that this is a great 

place to watch the race. To make the most of this fantastic event 

here is some useful information to help you plan your visit. 

The route - stage 1 

Stage 1 Map © ASO 

Road closures 

Most road closures will be rolling 

road closures lasting no more 

than an hour. However there will 

be some closures that are longer 

than this such as at the start and 

finish and on some climbs. Road 

closures will be managed by the 

police and will be announced 

nearer the race weekend. 

Race timings 

Section of the race 

through the AONB 

Times for the race had not been 

announced when this guide went 

to print but full details will be 

available at www.letour.yorkshire. 

com 

Where to stay 

Accommodation in the AONB 

caters for everyone with luxurious 

hotels, cosy country cottages, 

family run B&Bs, caravan & 

camping sites and bunk barns. If 

you fancy something a little bit 

different you could even try a Yurt 

or a woodland shack! 

Places are likely to fill up fast 

for the time around the Tour de 

Yorkshire so we recommend you 

book as early as possible so you 

aren’t disappointed. 

To find out where to stay visit www. 

yorkshire.com or www.visitharrogate. 

co.uk 

Full details at letour.yorkshire.com 

Please help us to 

look after the special 

landscape of the 

AONB by following 

the Countryside and 

Moorland Codes: 

Respect other people 

• Consider the local 

community and other people 

enjoying the outdoors 

• Leave gates and property 

as you find them and stick to 

public footpaths unless wider 

access is available 

Protect the natural environment 

• Leave no trace of your visit 

and take litter home 

• Keep dogs under close 

control and off the moors 

Enjoy the outdoors 

• Be safe – plan ahead and be 

prepared 

• Follow advice and local signs 

and respect any warning signs 

Help prevent uncontrolled 

moorland fires 

• Never light fires on moorland 

– including BBQs 

• Dispose of used cigarette 

ends carefully 

• Respect any warning signs 

Also: 

• Please don’t climb on walls 

or fences 

• Camp and park in 

designated sites only – please 

don’t park on the grass verges or 

moors as they are home to rare 

plants and animals. 

• Take care to protect the 

historic environment 

Cycle Nidderdale AONB 

Nidderdale AONB is an area well worth exploring on two wheels. 

There is a vast network of quiet country lanes, breathtaking 

scenery and some challenging climbs as well as an abundance of 

tearooms which welcome cyclists. 

Road cycling: Cycling is a great 

way to get around the AONB and 

there is a huge choice of routes. 

Its rural nature means there is an 

abundance of quiet roads and lanes, 

and some breathtaking scenery 

along the way. We’ve put a couple of 

routes on www.nidderdaleaonb.org. 

uk. Alternatively you can plan your 

own route using Ordnance Survey 

Explorer maps 297 or 298. 

Family cycling: If you’re new to cycling, 

have a young family or would just prefer a 

short, quiet ride away from traffic, there are 

a few options. 

• The Nidderdale Greenway is a 4 mile 

(6.5km) bridleway (also very popular 

with walkers and horse riders) 

which connects Ripley, on the edge 

of the AONB, to Harrogate and 

Knaresborough on a fantastic converted 

railway line. www.sustrans.org.uk 

Mountain biking: Whether 

you’re a beginner or an 

experienced rider, the AONB 

is a fantastic place for a spot of 

mountain biking. There’s an 

extensive network of off road 

routes in the AONB and a 

selection of suggested routes are 

available on the AONB website at 


• Yorkshire Water have created cycle routes near Swinsty Reservoir in the 

Washburn Valley, and at Scar House Reservoir in Upper Nidderdale. 

The routes are short and use varied surfaces, including short sections 

of tarmac, hard stoned tracks and grassed areas which can be soft and 

muddy. www.yorkshirewater.com 

Yorkshire 

Cycle Hire, 

Masham 

T: 07939 972485 

www.yorkshirecyclehire.co.uk 

Nidderdale Cycles, 

near Pateley Bridge 

T: 07821 463853 

www.nidderdalecycles.co.uk 

VOC Cycles, Darley 

T: 07595 460465 

www.voc.bike 

Don’t hav e a bike o f you r own? 

W h y n ot h i r e o n 

26 www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk Visit Nidderdale AONB 2016 

e! 

© Sally Wilson 

Fa m il y cyc ling 

at Sca r Hous e 

VO ern verton 

Cycling 

Way of the Roses 

Visit Nidderdale 

Covering a total distance of 170 

miles this coast to coast route 

starts from Morecambe Bay in 

the west, crossing the red rose 

county of Lancashire and the 

white rose county of Yorkshire, 

to Bridlington Bay in the east. 

It is a challenging cycling 

adventure that runs through 

some of the most beautiful 

countryside in northern 

England. The route follows 

cycle paths, country lanes and 

quieter roads and has varied 

and stunning scenery. 

A series of public artworks can 

be found at points on the route, 

including the wonderful ‘Pillars 

Past’ in Pateley Bridge. 

Full details can be found at 

wayoftheroses.info and a route 

map can be purchased from the 

Sustrans online shop at www. 

sustrans.org.uk/shop 

© PHP 

Pillars Past, 

Pat e l e y Bridge 

27


Tour de Nidderdale 

The Tour de Nidderdale is a legacy of July 2014 when the Tour 

de France Grand Depart came to Yorkshire. 

The terrain in Nidderdale mirrors much of that encountered by the 

Grand Depart with a combination of sweeping valleys, interspersed 

with pretty villages and tumbling streams. There are some steep 

gradients and plunging descents, which open up magnificent vistas of 

the open moors and fells. 

The route centres on Pateley Bridge and it can either be tackled on 

a single ride (the ‘Yellow Jersey’ route), or split into two shorter rides 

(the Green Jersey Route and the Polka Dot Jersey Route). It has been 

designed with the experienced cyclist in mind. 

The two loops are quite different in character - the ‘Green Jersey’ 

route (27 miles) takes in the Nidd Valley, passing through many of its 

charming villages, whilst the ‘Polka Dot Jersey’ route (31 miles) is a 

much sterner test. 

A booklet which contains full route descriptions is available from the 

Nidderdale Plus Community Office in Pateley Bridge. 

This route was devised by Nidderdale Plus and Sport Nidderdale. Please 

bear in mind that many of the roads are narrow, twisty, steep and 

flanked by dry-stone walls so take the utmost care at all times. 


KILLER CLIMBS 

Trapping Hill, Lofthouse 

Distance: 1.3 miles 

Total climb: 677ft 

Avg gradient: 10% 

Steepest gradient: 20% 

Traffic volume: low to med (higher 

at weekends and peak holiday 

times). Please take care. 

Start point: grid ref SE102735 

Starting from the Crown Hotel 

this climb is probably the most 

gruelling and relentless in the 

Dale. As you leave the village the 

gradient increases to 10% and will 

only briefly drop below that until 

you emerge onto the moor at the 

top of the hill. The first corners are 

nasty but the straight that follows 

traversing back across the hill side 

should be used as a recharge point. 

From the next left hand corner 

the road goes straight up the hill 

with some agonising twists until 

eventually it very slowly begins to 

level out with the last third of a mile 

being under 10%. 

Peat Lane, Bewerley 

Distance: 2 miles 

Total climb: 711ft 

Avg gradient: 7% 

Steepest gradient: 22.5% 

Traffic volume: low all year round 

but please take care. 

Start point: grid ref SE154644 

Starting at the locally famous False 

Tooth Bridge this climb gets very 

serious, very quickly and it just 

never ends. It climbs over 700ft 

and over one third of that in the 

first quarter of a mile. Warm legs 

are certainly advised for this beast. 

This quiet back lane starts with 

two tightly walled corners at nearly 

20% each and then giving just the 

shortest of respite before hitting you 

with the rest of the hill, with 100yds 

of more than 20% climb. The next 

corner doesn’t make it much easier 

with the gradient only dropping 

very slightly. Once this painful bit 

is over the hill presents you with 

three long straights of ever lessening 

gradient, the last being almost flat, 

before one last sprint climb. 

Saddle up 

© PHP 

© PHP 

RIDING CENTRES 


Visit Nidderdale Saddle up 

With a bridleway network of more than 170km 

there are a number of opportunities to explore 

Nidderdale AONB on horseback, from leisurely 

guided treks for beginners to advanced hacks 

for the more experienced. Whatever your 

ability, horse riding is a very enjoyable and 

relaxing way to see the stunning scenery 

and countryside of the AONB. 

If you have your own horse you can plan a 

route using Ordnance Survey Explorer maps 

297 or 298, which cover most of the AONB. 

Alternatively the riding centres in the AONB may 

be able to help you plan a route, ride out with you or 

stable your horse overnight. 

Bewerley Riding Centre, near Pateley Bridge: 

offer a range of riding experiences from 

trial rides for beginners to short hacks for 

people keen to experience the countryside on 

horseback, as well as riding lessons, pony club and 

horse riding holidays. T: 01423 712249. 

www.bewerleyridingcentre.co.uk 

Bogs Hall Stables, Kirkby Malzeard: primarily 

a teaching stables and livery yard, but also 

offers escorted rides out to visiting riders. 

They run a Pony Club and a Saddle Club for 

enthusiastic youngsters who want to get more 

involved in caring for horses. T: 01765 658184. E: 

bogshallstables@yahoo.co.uk 

www.bogshallstables.com 

Masham Riding & Trekking Centre: trekking 

and basic riding lessons for all skill levels and 

ages of rider. Treks are always supervised by 

an experienced member of staff. (Minimum 

age of 7). T: 01765 689636. E: info@ 

mashamridingcentre.com 

www.mashamridingcentre.com 

For more information 

on horse riding in 

Yorkshire please visit 

www.rideyorkshire.org 

Bewerley School 

of Horsemanship 

Riding for all ages, 

all levels, and all disciplines. 

Pony rides - pony club lessons - 

adult beginner lessons - jumping - 

stable management 

Residential riding holidays, as well as 

trekking and hacking. 

Come and see us at this excellent set 

up - in the beautiful countryside in 

the heart of the Nidderdale. 

01423 712249/07900 692250 

bewerley.riding@btconnect.com 

www.bewerleyridingcentre.co.uk 

29

The East 

Discov er the 

Eastern AONB 

This area marks the transition between the flatter arable land in the 

Vale of York to the east and the vast expanse of moorlands to the west. 

The countryside is shaped by its monastic past and is dominated by the 

Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal World Heritage Site. 

30 


Kirkby Malzeard 


Cashpoint / 

Post Office 


information 

Regular 

bus route 

Doctors 

surgery 

Cafe / 

Tearoom 

Pub 

KIRKBY MALZEARD 

Kirkby Malzeard is first mentioned in the 1086 

Domesday Book as ‘Churchei’, meaning ‘church in the 

clearing’. The village has a strong history in its buildings 

with 20 Grade II listed. It also has one Grade I listed 

building: St Andrew’s Church was first built in 1150 and 

continued to be extended until it was mainly destroyed 

by fire in 1908. Restoration work took two years and 

cost £5500. Today Kirkby Malzeard is an attractive 

village with a strong community feel. 


Crackpots Mosaic 

Trail: this enjoyable 

trail around part of 

Dallowgill is marked 

with 22 mosaics 

depicting local scenes 

of flora and fauna 

which might be 

encountered along the 

route. It was created 

as a celebration of 

the designation of 

the AONB. The trail is 7 miles (11km) 

long. Where: the route starts from Tom Corner, 

Dallowgill, near Kirkby Malzeard. A route map can 

be downloaded from www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk 

GREWELTHORPE 

Hotel / Inn 

Shop 

Toilets 

Petrol 

Food 

Bl ue b e l l mosaic 

A pretty little village with a beautiful village green 

and large duck pond. Its name comes from the Danish 

‘thorpe’ meaning farm or secondary settlement 

(hamlet), and “Grewel” which either refers to the gravel 

found locally or to the finely ground flour milled in the 

area. 


Himalayan Garden: this 20 acre woodland garden 

and sculpture park, open only for a few weeks 


The East 

each year, is home to an extensive collection of 

rare Rhododendrons and Himalayan plants, set 

amongst swathes of spring bulbs and perennials. 

There is also a tearoom serving light refreshments. 

Where: Hutts Lane, Grewelthorpe, HG4 3DA. 

Open: 24 th April to 12 th June 2016 (see website for 

times). Prices: £5 per person, under 12’s free. T: 

01765 658009. www.himalayangarden.com 

Hackfall Cafe: a community cafe in the village hall 

run by volunteers offering home baked food for 

your enjoyment and toys and games for children. 

Open: Mon, Wed & Fri 10am to 2pm, Tues & 

Thurs 12pm to 2pm, 3.15pm to 5.15pm, Sat & Sun 

11am to 3pm. www.grewelthorpe.org.uk 

Hackfall: a wonderful 

area of ancient seminatural 

woodland 

set within a steep, 

rocky gorge of 

the River Ure. It 

is registered as a 

Grade I site in the 

English Heritage 

‘Register of Historic 

Parks and Gardens 

of special historic 

interest in England’, 

highlighting its exceptional interest. 

© EM 

Rustic Te m p le at 

Hackfa l l 

Bought in 1731 by the Aislabie family, Hackfall 

was gradually developed by William Aislabie into 

a fashionable picturesque woodland garden with 

follies, grottoes, surprise views and waterfalls. 

Today Hackfall is owned by the Woodland Trust, 

managed by the Hackfall Trust and is open to 

all who want to explore it. Many of the garden’s 

features have been restored, thanks to funding 

from the Heritage Lottery Fund, making it a truly 

beautiful place to explore at any time of the year. 

Hackfall is also a fascinating place for the keen 

naturalist and is designated as a Site of Special 

Scientific Interest because of the large number 

of birds, plants and invertebrates that make their 

home here. 

Access: you can walk to Hackfall alongside the 

River Ure from Masham or on public rights of way 

from Grewelthorpe. There is also a small car park 

on the Grewelthorpe to Masham Road. Open: 

every day of the year. Price: entry is free but please 

take care - streams, mud and slippery paths are 

all features, along with some steep drops. www. 

hackfall.org.uk 

31

The East 

The East 

GALPHAY 

This beautiful village dates back to the 11 th century 

and it is thought that its name means “gallow 

enclosure”. Records from 1189 suggest that it was 

owned by Fountains Abbey. 

GRANTLEY 

A small but beautiful village with a country inn 

dating back to the 17 th century. 

SAWLEY 

This village dates back to Saxon times and moved to 

its current location to join up with an old Norse and 

Tudor settlement in Lowgate Lane. Sawley appears in 

the Domesday Book record of 1085-1086 with the first 

recorded landowner at Sawley being the Archbishop 

of York. Sawley has a picturesque village green and 

wildlife garden and is an ideal starting point for many 

walks. 


Picking Gill: this small community nature reserve 

has a surprising variety of habitats and supports an 

astonishing variety of insects, amphibians, mammals 

and bird life. Where: at the junction of the B6265 

and Sawley Moor Lane. Open: daily. Price: free. 

G & T’s Ice Cream Parlour: real dairy ice cream 

made on the premises in a variety of flavours. 

Also serves drinks and cakes. Open: daily. Where: 

Risplith (on the B6265 near Sawley). T: 01765 

620101. www.gantsicecream.co.uk 

STUDLEY ROGER 

A small conservation area village adjoining Fountains 

Abbey & Studley Royal World Heritage Site. It is 

believed that the name Studley derives from ‘Stodlege’, 

Old English around 1030, or later ‘Stodleah’ meaning 

‘pasture for horses’. 


Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal World Heritage 

Site: Veiled in a secluded valley, this National Trust 

property promises to surprise and captivate with 

its vast Cistercian abbey ruins, Georgian water 

garden, a medieval deer park, Elizabethan Hall 

and Gothic church. 

From humble beginnings this magnificent abbey 

grew to be wealthy and powerful. In Porter’s Lodge 

uncover the story of the monks who founded the 

abbey in search of a simpler life, hear a tale or two 

on a free guided 

tour and see the mill 

created by these 

skilful masters of 

machinery. This 

year Swanley 

Grange will be 

brought back to 

life with a new 

vegetable garden, 

sheep, hens, bee 

hives and heritage 

crafts. 

© Chris Lacey 

Founta ins Ab b e y 

Studley Royal Water Garden is an outstanding 

example of the ‘English’ garden style that swept 

across Europe during the 18 th century, and is 

in fact what makes this magnificent estate a 

World Heritage Site. Elegant ponds and cascades 

entwined with rustic bridges, classical temples and 

statues enthral today’s visitor just as they would the 

pleasure-seeking Georgians. 

In the water garden this year, Folly! will be taking 

on a brand new twist with internationally renowned 

artist Mat Collishaw creating immersive and otherworldly 

artistic interpretations in the Banqueting 

House and the Temple of Piety – a nod towards the 

garden’s intriguing past. 

Open year-round, Fountains is fantastic for walks 

and each season brings its own unique delights 

to see. Watch wildlife awaken in the springtime, 

catch the colourful wildflowers during summer, 

enjoy autumnal splendour by floodlight and wrap 

up warm to see the atmospheric ruins sparkle with 

frost as winter returns. 

Open: all year except 24/25 December and Fridays 

in November, December and January. 10am to 

6pm from 25 th March to 29 th October. 10am to 

5pm from 30 th October to 24 th March. Price: Adult 

£13, Child £6.50. Last admission one hour before 

closing. National Trust members, English Heritage 

members and under 5s free. T: 01765 608888. www. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/fountainsabbey 


do before you leave the 

Eastern AONB ... 

1Discover the beautiful 

Fountains Abbey & 

Studley Royal World 

Heritage Site, and walk along 

the Valley of the Seven Bridges. 

West Leas 

Farm 

Find us on 

Facebook 

Get a friendly welcome @ West Leas Farm 

2Explore Hackfall with its 

stunning follies, beautiful 

waterfalls and vast array of 

wildlife and plants. 

Six self catering cottages - each one unique 

Large garden with beautiful views over Nidderdale 

Free wifi - escape the bustle of life yet keep in touch 

Short breaks / Full week Walks in every direction 

3Stop for some delicious 

local food and drink at one 

(or more!) of the many 

country pubs. 

4Visit Picking Gill Nature 

Reserve and see how 

many species of animal 

and plant you can find, before 

enjoying an ice cream at G & Ts. 

www.westleas.co.uk 

West Leas Farm, Galphay, Ripon, HG4 3PB 

01765 658416 

5Walk the Crackpots 

Mosaic Trail and find the 

22 wonderful mosaics that 

way mark the route. 



33

Great days out 

Great days out ... 

Nidderdale AONB really does have something for everyone. Whether you like to just sit back and 

take it easy, have fun with your family, get the adrenaline pumping or soak up some heritage and 

culture we are certain you will find something to enjoy. Here are just a few ideas to get you started: 

... to see wonderful 

wildlife 

Take an early morning trip to 

Upper Nidderdale to see if you 

can spot the elusive Black Grouse 

on moorland around Scar House 

Reservoir. En route back down 

the Dale visit the viewing point at 

Gouthwaite Reservoir, a Site of 

Special Scientific Interest, and see 

how many species of bird you can 

spot. 

34 

© EM 

Gou thwait e 

Reservoir 

Visit the deer park at Studley 

Royal which is home to over 500 

wild Red, Fallow and Sika deer. 

Amazing at any time of year but 

especially in the autumn during 

the rutting season. 

Spend some time exploring 

the Washburn Valley. With a 

wide range of habitats including 

pasture land, woodland, 

reservoirs, rivers and moorland, 

there is a vast range of wildlife 

to see. Timble Ings and Low 

Dam are especially good in the 

summer months as they are home 

to many species of Dragonfly. 

Take a walk in Hackfall which is 

a fascinating place for the keen 

naturalist. It is designated as a 

Site of Special Scientific Interest 

because of the large number of 

birds, plants and invertebrates 

that make their home here. 


... for families 

Visit one of the three 

ice cream parlours 

in the AONB - or 

try them all and 

decide which is your 

favourite. You’ll be 

spoilt for choice with 

a huge choice of 

flavours and the kids 

will have great fun trying 

out the play areas and activities 

that are on offer. 

Buy some delicious local food from 

Pateley Bridge and have a picnic in 

the large play area. 

Great for kids and big kids alike, 

the weird and wonderful rock 

formations at Brimham Rocks are 

a giant natural playground. See 

if you can find the Dancing Bear, 

The Eagle and The Gorilla, crawl 

through The Smartie Tube and 

balance on the Rocking Stones. 

Studfold Explore, Discover and 

Learn Trail will keep the kids 

occupied for hours with its range 

of fun and exciting activities. 

Solve clues to find secret boxes, 

follow giant footprints, search the 

wildflower meadow maze to find 

its secret, use your imagination in 

the giant storytelling chair, follow 

the trail to find the larger than life 

hedgehog and much more. 

Go 

underground 

at Stump Cross 

Caverns and 

explore this 

extensive cave 

system which 

is filled with 

complex and 

colourful stalactite 

Birchfield Farm 

ice cream parlour 

© Chris Lacey 

Stud l e y Roya l 

Wat e r Gard e n 

© PHP 

and stalagmite 

formations dating 

back up to 200,000 

years. 

Explore the 20 metre 

deep limestone gorge 

that is How Stean. At 

almost 1km long it 

can be explored via 

a network of narrow 

paths, bridges, tunnels 

and caves and provides an actionpacked 

day out for all the family! 

Discover the history of Nidderdale 

at the Nidderdale Museum. With 11 

rooms which illustrate the rural 

© PHP 

Nid d erd a l e 

Mus e u m 

life of Nidderdale, including an 

original cobblers’ shop, school 

room, and Victorian parlour, it is 

a fascinating place to visit. 

Fountains Abbey and Studley 

Royal is a wonderful day out 

with something for all 

the family. Explore the 

abbey ruins, admire the 

beautiful water gardens, 

enjoy a picnic, take part 

in crafts and activities 

and see if you can spot 

the deer in the deer 

park. 

... if you love to be active 

Trek with a llama at Nidderdale 

Llamas and see the countryside in 

a really unique way. The llamas 

will become your companion for 

the duration of your trek and will 

even carry your kit for you. 

© PHP 

Llama tre kking 

Challenge yourself at How Stean 

Gorge with the Via Ferrata - 

an aerial network of beams, 

ladders and cables - or take part 

in outdoor activities such as 

climbing, canoeing or caving. 

Lace up your hiking boots and 

explore some of the amazing 

walking territory in the AONB. 

From long distance routes to easy 

strolls there is something to suit 

everyone’s ability and interest. 

Hire a bike (or bring your own) 

and explore the AONB on two 

wheels. With a vast network of 

quiet roads, country lanes and off 

road routes it is a cyclist’s dream. 

Explore the AONB on horseback. 

You don’t need to have your own 

horse or be an experienced rider 

as riding centres such as those 

at Bewerley and Masham offer 

guided treks for beginners. 

Hors e riding i n 

Bew erley 

... if you like a bit of history 

Visit the stunning ruins of Jervaulx 

Abbey, near Masham. This 

wonderful site is a place of great 

beauty, tranquillity and history. It 

is privately owned and carefully 

managed with conservation in 

mind and has over 180 species of 

wild flowers and shrubs growing 

amidst its ruins. 

Fountains Abbey and Studley 

Royal World Heritage Site is a 

must! The site is home to a wealth 

of historic monuments including 

Cistercian abbey ruins, a Georgian 

water garden, a medieval deer 

park, an Elizabethan Hall and a 

Victorian church. 

Discover Yorke’s Folly which is a 

Grade II listed 

Folly that sits on 

the Nidderdale 

Way on the hillside 

above the village 

of Bewerley. Built in 

the late 18 th century 

it was designed to 

look like the ruin 

of an east window 

or church crossing. 

© PHP 

... if you like local crafts 

Toft Gat e Li m e 

Ki l n 

Visit the King Street Workshops 

in Pateley Bridge, which is home 

to a small group of highly talented 

and skilled craftspeople who 

design and make exclusive pieces 

in a variety of materials including 

ceramic, stone, glass, precious 

metals and gemstones. Here 

you will also find the Number 6 

Studio Gallery - a visual arts space 

where a varied programme of art 

courses and exhibitions take place 

throughout the year. 

Ramsgill Studio is a gallery and 

working studio selling a selection 

of quality and interesting arts 

and crafts, both traditional and 

contemporary. They also run a 

series of workshops which can be 

pre-booked. 


Great days out 

One of 

the shafts 

was 

blown 

down in 

a storm 

in 1893 

and it 

is now 

known 

locally 

known as ‘Two Stoops’. 

Fishpond Wood is well worth 

exploring. Tucked away in 

Bewerley village it is a rare and 

regionally important example of a 

designed landscape from the 18 th 

century. It has recently undergone 

some restoration work including 

repairs to the icehouse and 

maintenance to its large 

pond. 

Toft Gate Lime Kiln, 

which was built in the 

1860s, can be explored 

via a short trail with a 

series of information 

boards. Access is via a 

small car park on the 

outskirts of Greenhow. 

Masham is home to a wide range 

of craftspeople and their work can 

be viewed and purchased in one of 

the town’s 

many 

galleries. 

If you 

would 

like to get 

hands 

on why 

not book 

on one 

of the 

Yorke’s Fol l y 

© Visit England/Diana Jarvis 

Masham 

Ga l lery 

many short art and craft skills 

workshops at ArtisOn and learn 

anything from print making to 

willow weaving, jewellery making 

to glass blowing. Uredale Glass - 

one of the longest running glass 

makers studios in England - is also 

worth a visit! 

35

A special place for wildlife 

A special place for wildlife 

A special place for 

wildlife 

The AONB is home to many rare species 

of plants and animals and it is the mixture 

of habitats such as heather moorland, 

grassland, rivers and reservoirs, flowerrich 

meadows and geological sites that 

make it such a special place. It is an 

important breeding ground for many birds, 

including grouse, curlew and lapwing 

- which nest on the ground - as well as 

home to many other species such as deer, 

adder, dragonflies and butterflies. 

Curlew © VisitEngland/NYMNPA/Colin Carter 

THE SPECIAL HABITAT OF GREENHOW 

The Carboniferous limestone outcrop that lies 

beneath Greenhow and the surrounding area creates 

a very special and unique habitat. 

On the acid moorland you can always see heather 

and bilberry, as well as tormentil with its fourpetalled 

yellow flowers, the shorter blue spikes of 

heath milkwort and the dense flower spikes of heath 

speedwell. In the damper patches you may find 

northern marsh orchid and, if you are lucky, the 

insectivorous butterwort with its sticky leaves and violet 

like flower. 

The thin, well drained soils on the limestone outcrops 

and mining spoil heaps are ideal for many beautiful 

small plants such as the mountain pansy. In spring 

there are plenty of cowslips and meadow saxifrage, 

while in early summer you can see early purple, 

twayblade, fragrant and frog orchids. 

Spring sandwort (also known as leadwort) grows near 

the old lead mines as does the slightly taller fairy flax 

with its larger leaves. Bird’s-foot trefoil abounds and is 

the larval food plant for the common blue butterfly. 

Later in the summer harebells, thyme, small scabious 

and the felwort (a member of the 

gentian family) can be found on the 

stony soil. 

During early spring, birdsong 

increases with the arrival of waders 

Bird’s-foot trefoil 

from the lowlands and the coast. 

Lapwing, curlew and snipe breed 

on Greenhow and their song and 

display flights can be seen and 

heard throughout spring. The small, 

streaky brown meadow pipit is 

known to breed on the moors and Scabious © EM 

is characterised by its parachuting 

display flight. The less common 

wheatear with its distinctive white 

rump doesn’t fly very far when 

disturbed and the song of the 

skylark can sometimes be heard. 

Short-eared owls can also be seen 

around Greenhow. The owl hunts in the daylight and 

can sometimes be spotted quartering low over rough 

pasture looking for small mammals. 

Snipe © Margaret Holland 

Lapwing 

One of the most distinctive birds 

to breed in the AONB in the 

summer months is the Lapwing. 

Sometimes called Peewit because 

of its strained weet or ee-wit call, 

it is the only species with a wispy 

crest, broad wings and a black 

and white appearance. Both male 

and females have a crest, and 

beautiful dark green and purple 

iridescent backs. Its flight pattern 

is a unique ‘flappy’ wingbeat 

that shows alternating white and 

dark plumage, sometimes turning 

abruptly in a flamboyant display. 

Adder 

Adders can be found in areas of 

rough, open countryside and on 

the woodland edge. The best time 

to see them is in early spring when 

they emerge from their hibernation 

dens and they are often seen 

around Scar House and Angram 

Reservoirs. They are venomous - 

the only venomous snake native 

to Britain - but will only use their 

venom as a last means of defence, 

usually if caught or trodden on. A 

bite is likely to make you poorly 

so if you see one please be careful 

and leave it alone! 

Grouse 

The heather moorland of the 

AONB is home to the red grouse 

which has a plump body, a short 

tail and a slightly hook-tipped bill. 

It is a reddish-brown colour, with 

its legs and feet covered in pale 

feathers. Male red grouse have 

a bright red stripe above their 

eye, which is very obvious in the 

breeding season. Females don’t 

have this red eye stripe and are a 

little paler in colour. They have 

a distinctive call and fly fast and 

low above the heather. They feed 

mainly on the shoots, seeds and 

flowers of the heather. 

Dragonflies 

Dragonflies and Damselflies can be 

found in the summer months near 

still water, such as ponds, especially 

on hot summer days. This amazing 

group of beautifully coloured 

creatures has been on Earth for 

300 million years, since the time of 

the dinosaurs. Today’s dragonflies 

are much smaller than their distant 

relatives who had a wingspan 

of 70 cm! Contrary to folklore 

dragonflies cannot sting and will 

not bite. However, some species are 

inquisitive and may approach you 

closely. Species you may see in the 

AONB include Common Hawker, 

Common Darter, Black Darter and 

the Common Blue Damselfly. 

Deer 

If you are out and about early in 

the morning or at dusk, you may be 

lucky enough to see a roe deer. One 

of our two native species (the other 

is the red deer), roe are relatively 

small, standing 60-75cm at the 

shoulder, and in the summer months 

are a chestnut red-brown colour 

with a white rump patch. Only the 

males (bucks) have antlers which 

they shed and re-grow in the winter. 

The females (does) become pregnant 

during the rut in July/August and 

the kids are born in May and June. 

Twins are common and the new 

born kids lie among bracken or 

long grass with the doe returning to 

suckle them several times a day. 

Curlew 

Another distinctive summer visitor 

is the curlew with its long downcurved 

bill and plaintive call, 

a repeated “cur-lew”. Its song is 

described as beginning slowly and 

accelerating into a “rich, ecstatic, 

bubbling trill”. It has a strong and 

steady gull-like flight pattern and 

may often be seen gliding down 

to the ground as it calls. Curlews 

nest in upland fields in the spring 

and summer months, returning to 

shorelines for the winter. 

© VisitEngland/NYMNPA/ 

Mike Nicholas 

36 

© Leanne Fox © AONB Volunteers 

www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk Visit Nidderdale AONB 2016 37

Moor than meets the eye 

Moor than meets 

the eye 

About a third of Nidderdale AONB is 

covered with some of the finest heather 

moorland in the country, which is 

internationally important for wildlife. These 

vast, open moors can be a great antidote 

to our busy, modern lives - perhaps 

because they seem wild and unmanaged 

– and offer a great escape. But although 

the heather moorland looks natural it is 

the result of careful management for red 

grouse and provides a livelihood for many 

farmers and gamekeepers, bringing in a 

great deal of money to the local economy. 

Where’er you roam 

Visitors to the AONB are able to walk freely over more than 50 square miles of moorland, designated as 

Access Land. All Access Land in the AONB is privately 

38 

uppernidderdale.org.uk 

Moorlands: 

People, Places, Stories 

An exciting new oral history project 

exploring people’s relationship with 

Upper Nidderdale’s moorland. 

Share your stories 

Help record stories 

Find out more by contacting the 

Upper Nidderdale Landscape 

Partnership team on T: 01423 

712950 or E: uppernidderdale@ 

harrogate.gov.uk 


S. Wilson 

H. Jones 

I. Whittaker 

Follow us on: 

Heather © Graham Megson 

owned and is home to internationally important 

wildlife. With superb views across the landscape the 

experience is unforgettable but we suggest you check 

up on a few things before you set out: 

Access land 

• You can walk freely on mapped areas of mountain, 

moor, heath, downland and registered 

common land, known as Access Land, 

without having to stay on paths. 

• You can walk, ramble, run, explore, 

climb and watch wildlife 

• You can’t cycle, horse ride, drive a vehicle or camp. 

Maps 

• Always carry an orange Ordnance Survey 

‘Explorer’ map that shows Access Land in pale 

yellow. Nidderdale AONB is covered by the 

following ‘Explorer’ maps: 

• Lower Wharfedale & Upper Washburn 

Valley (297) 

• Nidderdale (298) 

• Yorkshire Dales - Northern & Central Areas 

(OL 30) 

Wildfire! 

It is all too easy for uncontrolled fires on the moors to start. A dropped 

match, smouldering cigarette ends or even a carelessly discarded bottle 

can set the dry heather, and the peat underneath, ablaze. The open and 

often windy conditions of moorland mean that fires can easily burn out 

of control and can go unnoticed for miles causing vast devastation. 

Moorland fires can be deadly to all the wildlife in their path - moorland 

birds can be devastated, plant life destroyed and the landscape ravaged 

- as well as having a detrimental effect on the local economy. The cost of 

fighting a moorland fire can easily cost in excess of £50,000 and when 

the value of lost income is added to this figure a big fire can cause at least 

£300,000 worth of damage. The effects can last for decades. 

Please follow these few simple rules to help avoid this devastation: 

X• Never light a fire on moorland - that 

includes gas stoves and barbecues. 

X• Never leave broken glass or 

discarded bottles behind on moorland. 

X• Never stub cigarettes out on 

moorland or throw smoking materials 

out of a car window. Always take 

cigarette ends and spent matches home. 

X• Respect all warning signs. 

If you see a moorland fire at any time outside of the heather burning 

season call 999 and alert the fire brigade. If possible also report the fire at 

the nearest house but do not attempt to fight the fire without assistance. 

Closures & restrictions 

• Landowners can close their 

moors for up to 28 days a year 

to protect ground-nesting birds 

from disturbance during the 

breeding season and walkers 

from risks that might be 

caused by heather burning and 

shooting. 

• Closures are administered by 

Natural England and details are 

available from their website or 

from the Open Access Contact 

Centre. The information is 

updated daily. 

Dogs 

• Moorland owners have the right 

to exclude dogs at all times. 

Please check beforehand by 

checking the Natural England 

website or ringing the Open 

Access Contact Centre and look 

out for signs when you’re out on 

the moors. 

• Where dogs are welcome, they 

must be kept on short leads 

of no more than two metres 

between 1 March and July to 

protect ground nesting birds 

from disturbance, or at any 

time of year when you are near 

livestock. 

Fire 

• Access Land is sometimes 

closed due to the risk of 

Wildfire. Large areas of 

moorland in the AONB have 

been lost to wildfires in the past 

and the risk increases as the 

summer unfolds. 

• Closures due to fire risk are 

administered by Natural 

England in consultation with 

the Met Office and the latest 

information is available from 

the Natural England website or 

from the Contact Centre. If you 

see a fire outside the burning 

season, please ring 999. 

For more information and details 

of closures: 

www.naturalengland.org.uk 

T: Open Access Contact Centre 

- 0845 1003298 

E: openaccess@naturalengland. 

org.uk 

Moor than meets the eye 

IMPORTANT DATES 

Ground Bird 

Nesting Season: 

March to July 

Ground-nesting 

birds are rearing 

their young chicks and this time 

of year is critical for upland birds. 

Disturbance - particularly from 

loose dogs - can have a negative 

impact on the success of the 

breeding season. 

Lambing Season: 

March to May 

Lambing in upland 

areas tends to 

happen later than 

in the lowlands. Your presence on 

the moor during this time should 

not be detrimental to lambing. 

However, loose dogs can cause 

serious problems so should be 

kept on a short lead at all times. 

Grouse Shooting 

Season: 

12 August to 10 

December 

Most of the 

moorland in the AONB is 

managed for grouse shooting 

and during the shooting season, 

some moors may be closed while 

shooting takes place. If a moor 

remains open there should not be 

any danger to you, as long as you 

do not get too close to the shoot. 

Heather Burning 

Season: 

October 1 to April 15 

Carefully controlled 

fires are purposely 

lit by experts to encourage fresh 

heather shoots to grow, providing 

food for birds and sheep. It is 

important to realise that this burn 

is very carefully controlled and it 

is the uncontrolled fires that can 

cause devastation to moorland. 


© Ian Whittaker 

39

Walk Nidderdale AONB 


Walk routes 

NEW!! The Yorkes of Bewerley 

This walk takes you around what 

were once the extensive gardens 

and grounds surrounding Bewerley 

Hall which, until it was demolished 

in the 1920s, was the home of 

the influential Yorke family. The 

designed landscape, developed in 

the 18 th to 20 th centuries, included 

parkland, pleasure gardens, 

woodlands, ponds, walled kitchen 

gardens - and a folly. Nearest town: 

Pateley Bridge Length: 5 miles 

(8.5km) Time (approx): 2-3 hours 

Difficulty: moderate. 

Crackpots Mosaic Trail 

This enjoyable trail around part 

of Dallowgill is marked with 22 

mosaics depicting local scenes 

40 


Walkers on the Nidderdale Way 

near Scar House Reservoir 

of flora and fauna which might 

be encountered along the route. 

Nearest village: Kirkby Malzeard. 

Length: 7 miles (11km). Time 

(approx): 4 hours. Difficulty: 

moderate/strenuous. 

Jervaulx Abbey to Thornton 

Steward 

Starting and finishing at the 

fascinating ruins of Jervaulx 

Abbey, this walk takes you 

through stunning parkland, over 

lush pasture fields and through 

the historic village of Thornton 

Steward. Nearest town: Masham. 

Length: 7 miles (11km). Time 

(approx): 3-4 hours. Difficulty: 

moderate. 

There are 568 miles (914km) of 

public footpaths and bridleways in the 

AONB. From long distance routes to 

easy strolls there is something to suit 

everyone’s ability and interest. Here are 

just a few of our favourites to get you 

started. 

Reservoir Walks 

Yorkshire Water has developed 

a series of circular walks around 

many of the reservoirs in the 

AONB. For routes please visit www. 

yorkshirewater.com 

Download free route maps from 

www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk or 

purchase our Victorian Gardens 

or Greenhow Geology Trail 

booklets from local information 

centres or the AONB office in 

Pateley Bridge. 


Follow us on 

Geology Trail 

Greenhow 

£1.00 

wALKS 

50p 

Walks 

£1.00 


Fo low us on 

Victorian Gardens 

PATELEY BRIDGE 

One of the 

AONB Family 

Victoria Gardens 

PATELEY BRIDGE 

WALKS 

£1.00 

One of the 

AONB Family 

£1.00 

50p 

Long distance trails 

Six Dales Trail: this 

long distance linear 

trail traverses the full 

length of the AONB. 

It runs for 38 miles 

(61km) from Otley, 

in Wharfedale, 

northward to 

Middleham, in 

Wensleydale. Along 

its way it crosses 

the five watersheds that separate the six dales that 

give the trail its name. From Wharfedale it passes 

over into Washburndale, then into Nidderdale, 

Colsterdale, Coverdale and finally Wensleydale. 

More information and a route guide can be found at 

www.waw-otley.org.uk 

Six Da les Trail 

Nidderdale Way: a 53 mile 

(85km) circular walk from 

Pateley Bridge which takes 

you through beautiful and 

contrasting countryside from 

the spectacular uplands around 

Scar House Reservoir to more 

gentle, rolling pasture fields and river 

valleys along the course of the Nidd. The route 

follows well used public footpaths, bridleways and 

roads and has its own unique way marker, which 

you will see along the way. The full route is shown 

on the Ordnance Survey Explorer 298 map. There 

is also a handy waterproof map (by Harvey Maps) 

specifically on the Nidderdale Way, which includes 

useful information on the local area. 

Ripon Rowel: a 50 mile route around the ancient 

city of Ripon and the eastern part of the AONB, 

taking in villages, historic sites and wooded valleys. 

Some of the highlights include Markenfield Hall, 

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal World Heritage 

Site, Eavestone Lakes and the quaint Druids 

Temple. In addition it takes in the tranquil Valley 

of the Seven Bridges on the River Skell, the lovely 

valleys of the Rivers Burn and Ure along with 

Hackfall wood. Most of the route is shown on the 

Ordnance Survey Explorer 298 map, with small 

sections on the 299 and 302 maps. 

COWS AND WALKERS 



Walkers should be aware that cows, particularly those 

with calves, can be dangerous, especially if you are 

accompanied by a dog. By following this simple advice, 

issued by the NFU and the Ramblers Association, walkers 

can minimise the risk of an incident happening: 

Don’t 

X Don’t hang onto 

your dog - if cattle 

threaten you let it go 

and the cattle will 

chase the dog. 

X Don’t get between 

cows and their calves. 

X Don’t put yourself at 

risk - find another way 

round the cattle and 

rejoin the footpath as 

soon as possible. 

X Don’t panic or run 

- most cattle will stop 

before they reach you. 

If they follow just walk 

on quietly. 

© PHP 

Do 

p Do be prepared for 

cattle to react to your 

presence, especially if 

you have a dog with you. 

p Do move quickly and 

quietly and if possible 

walk around the herd. 

p Do keep your dog 

close and under effective 

control. 

p Do report any 

problems to the highway 

authority. 

41

Fishpond Wood 

Fishpond Wood 

Fishpond Wood: 

Flagship Heritage Site 

Fishpond Wood Icehouse 

One of the most remarkable 

features of Fishpond Wood is an 

early 19 th century icehouse, rarely 

seen for the last hundred years 

because no path ventures near it. 

It has now been repaired, an old 

path restored, and is now open for 

viewing. 

Th e icehous e 

Want to find 

out more? Come along 

to our event: 

Family Fun at Fishpond Wood 

Saturday 11 June 

11am to 2pm 

Full details on p48. 

It was one of Nidderdale’s earliest tourist attractions, but has guarded its secrets closely 

for the better part of a century. Now Fishpond Wood, in Bewerley near Pateley Bridge, 

is again throwing open its gates, and its long and colourful history, to the public. 

There’s a temptation to think of woods as wild places, 

untamed by human hand. But you don’t have to wander 

far into Fishpond Wood before you notice signs of 

previous human activity. 

There has been a wood on this site since at least the 

Middle Ages, perhaps much longer. For centuries the hills 

around the village would have rung with the sound of 

the woodman’s axe as the trees were managed for fuel, 

building materials and toolmaking. Mysterious mounds 

and dells among the trees show that Fishpond Wood once 

also echoed to the sound of pickaxe and shovel as men 

quarried for stone. 

Fishpond Wood was 

owned by the Yorke 

family of Bewerley Hall, 

one of Nidderdale’s 

most influential land 

owning dynasties. In the 

18 th century John Yorke 

set about refashioning 

the wood to suit contemporary ideals of the picturesque. 

He replanted parts of the wood and laid out a network of 

woodland walks. He may also have dammed a stream to 

create the pond that gives the wood its name, although 

according to popular belief the pond was originally the 

work of the monks of Fountains Abbey. 

By the time Fishpond Wood was inherited by John 

Yorke’s nephew, also John, it was becoming a popular 

tourist attraction. But it was the arrival of the railway in 

Nidderdale in the mid-19 th century that put Fishpond 

Wood on the tourist map. Special trains brought visitors 

from neighbouring industrial centres to visit the gardens 

at the Yorke’s home, Bewerley Hall, before promenading 

up through the trees to take pleasure boats out on the 

pond. 

The Yorke family lost their estates after the First World 

War, and Fishpond Wood sank back into obscurity. 

Although walkers on public footpaths through the wood 

continued to enjoy its tranquil atmosphere, the rest of 

Fishpond Wood remained out of bounds to visitors until 

2012, when it was bought by its current owner, Peter 

Brambleby. As an NHS doctor and a former Director 

of Public Health for North Yorkshire, Peter was keen 

‘Fishpond Wood, a delightful retreat, where man’s efforts, in 

the formation of the lake, have most nearly imitated nature. 

Encircling the pond is a footpath, shaded by fine beeches, 

which at places overhang the road, and, dipping the tips of 

their branches into the water, form natural arches.’ 

E. Bogg, From Edenvale to the Plains of York, 1895 

for more people to 

experience the benefits 

to health and wellbeing 

that spending time in 

the woods can bring. 

In 2014 he and the 


Landscape Partnership, 

along with a dedicated team of conservation volunteers, 

set about opening up the wood to visitors and restoring 

the look and feel of John Yorke’s designed landscape. 

The woodland walks have been re-established, the 

pond has been dredged, and the trees brought back into 

management for the sake of wildlife conservation. 

Whether you have an interest in archaeology, a love 

of woodland or simply a hankering for an hour or 

two’s peace and fresh air, you are very welcome to visit 

Fishpond Wood. 

Explore .... 

Why not take a walk to explore this beautiful and tranquil site for yourself. You can either walk from Pateley 

Bridge through Bewerley and back, or take a more circular route. Both walks pass the restored 15 th century 

Bewerley Grange Chapel which is certainly worth a visit. 

A public right of way runs through the wood and is joined by a series of permissive paths. These are 

highlighted on a panel at the entrance and can be downloaded from uppernidderdale.org.uk, along with an 

audio trail that guides you through some of the highlights of this special place. 

Fishpond 

Wood 

© Crown copyright and database rights 2016 Ordnance Survey 100019628 

Fishpond Wood is one of four flagship heritage sites being conserved and brought to life under the 

Heritage Lottery funded Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership Scheme (2014–2018). 

To find out more visit uppernidderdale.org.uk 

P 

Pateley 

Bridge 

Walk length 

The full circular 

walk and the walk 

to Fishpond Wood 

and back through 

Bewerley are both 

approx. 1.25 miles 

(2km). 

We suggest you 

allow 1-2 hours to 

enjoy the walk and 

the woodland. 

Important 

information 

• Please keep to 

the paths. 

• Stout footwear 

is advisable as 

the wood can be 

muddy. 

• Please use 

Ordnance Survey 

Explorer map 

298 to plan your 

route fully. 



43

A taste of Nidderdale 

Local produce you can 

try ... 

www.niddaonbfriends.org.uk 

Become a Friend today 


Friends 

of 

A taste of 

Nidderdale 

The AONB’s farmed landscape makes 

it the perfect place for delicious, fresh 

local produce. Local shops, pubs, 

restaurants and accommodation take 

great pride in the high quality produce 

that can be found locally. Nidderdale 

Lamb, grouse from the moors, locally 

brewed beer and delicious ice cream 

are just a few of the specialities on 

offer so why not try them for yourself. 

Why buy local? 

• It supports the farmers who 

manage our landscape and protects 

the environment by encouraging 

traditional farming practices, helping 

to maintain the diverse farmed 

landscape that characterises the area. 


© PHP 

• Products travel a shorter distance 

reducing congestion and pollution on 

our roads. 

• Local food is fresher and healthier 

as it is less likely to need processing 

and use preservatives. 

• It reduces stress for livestock 

(caused by transportation) and food is 

Meat, Fish & Cheese: 

There are a number of butchers 

and farm shops around the 

AONB which sell a wonderful 

range of meat products, sourced 

from local farms. They also 

sell delicious award-winning pork pies and local 

delicacies, such as grouse and pheasant, providing 

the perfect opportunity to try something a little bit 

different. 

Ice Cream: If you like ice 

cream you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

Why not try them all: 

»» 

Brymor - Jervaulx 

»» 

Birchfield - Summerbridge 

»» 

Meadowdale - Lofthouse 

»» 

G & T’s - Risplith, near Sawley 

Preserves: Rosebud 

Preserves at Healey, near 

Masham, is a small familyrun 

business that prepares 

© PHP 

and cooks a wonderful line of 

preserves from its own kitchen. Products are available 

by mail order and from local retailers. www. 

rosebudpreserves.co.uk 

Flour: ‘Sunflours’ flour is 

made in the north of the AONB, 

near Masham. Traditional 

methods of slow milling between 

two mill stones are used to 

produce high quality products 

including organic and gluten free flours. Available 

from local retailers. 

Beer: If you are partial to a 

good pint then Masham is the 

place to go as it is home to two 

breweries, Black Sheep and 

Theakstons (see p23). 

© PHP 

© PHP 

tastier (stress can affect the quality of 

their meat). 

• We have a better understanding of 

how and where our food is produced. 

• Supporting local shops and 

suppliers supports local jobs and the 

wider rural economy. 

The ‘Friends of Nidderdale AONB’ is a registered charity, run by unpaid trustees 

who, like you, are committed to protecting this special landscape for generations 

to come. Help us protect the area we love by becoming a Friend today! 

Membership benefits include: • High quality newsletter • Regular e-newsletter updates • 50% off many AONB events • Car sticker 

and map • Opportunities to visit projects your money has funded • Satisfaction of supporting wildlife and heritage projects 

Don’t delay, join today! 

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.................................................................................................................................... Postcode ................................... 

Tel: ............................................. Mob: ........................................... Email: ................................................................ 

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Sort code: 40-36-05 Account no: 01390074 

Family membership - 2 adults and children under 18 


Pay by Cheque 

Cheques should be made payable to ‘Friends of 

Nidderdale AONB’ and be sent with this completed form 

to: Friends of Nidderdale AONB, FREEPOST NEA 

13843, Pateley Bridge, Harrogate, HG3 5ZR 

Gift Aid - Make your contribution go further! 

If you are a UK tax payer we can make your donation work 

harder, at no further cost to you, by claiming 25p from the 

Inland Revenue for every £1 you donate. 

To the Friends of Nidderdale AONB – “I would like the Friends of 

Nidderdale AONB to treat the donation I make today, all donations 

I make in the future and donations I have made during the last 

four years (if any) as Gift Aid donations. I confirm I have paid or 

will pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax for each 

tax year (6 April to 5 April) that is at least equal to the amount 

of tax that all the charities or Community Amateur Sports Clubs 

(CASCs) that I donate to will reclaim on my gifts for that tax year. 

I understand that other taxes such as VAT and Council Tax do not 

qualify.” 

If you are happy for us to claim Gift Aid on your donation 

please tick this box: 

Any personal information you give to us will be processed in accordance with the UK Data Protection Act 1998. The Friends of Nidderdale 

AONB will use your details to provide relevant information about your membership and other activities associated with the Friends and 

Nidderdale AONB. We will not pass on any details to a third party except if required to do so by law. 

Visit Nidderdale Visit Nidderdale AONB 2016 2014 

Follow us on: 

45

Events 

Events 

events 2016 • walks • explore • discovery • craft • adventure • family fun • heritage • wildlife • foraging • talks • traditional skills • www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk 

NIDDERDALE AONB 

Events 2016 

A host of countryside events for all the family 

Discover more about the AONB’s beautiful countryside and the 

special qualities of the area through our programme of exciting events. 

Your AONB Enjoy Wildlife & Habitats 

Get Involved Living & Working Heritage 

Important information 

Booking: most events must 

be booked in advance. Where 

booking is not essential it is highly 

recommended to guarantee your 

place. Your safety and enjoyment 

are very important to us and 

we therefore have to adhere to 

guidelines on group numbers. 

Unfortunately this means that we 

might have to turn people away 

but we ask that you respect the 

decision of the event leader. 

Please note that bookings are 

nonrefundable unless the event is 

cancelled by the AONB. 

Cancellation of events: 

sometimes circumstances beyond 

our control may lead to an event 

being cancelled. Every effort will 

be made to contact people that 

have booked but if you haven’t 

booked we recommend that you 

contact us to check the event is 

still going ahead. 

We reserve the right to postpone 

or cancel any events. 

Meeting point: please ensure 

that you know where the meeting 

point is before the event. Some 

events are in remote locations but 

directions are always available 

from the AONB office. 


Food & drink: if you need a 

packed lunch it will say in the 

event details but you may want 

to bring a drink and snack to all 

events. 

Clothing & equipment: it is 

essential that you come dressed/ 

equipped accordingly for the 

event and the weather conditions. 

The weather can be very different 

on higher ground so please come 

prepared. Event leaders can 

only accept participants who are 

prepared for the conditions. 

Always bring: 

• sturdy footwear, preferably 

walking boots 

• waterproofs 

• warm, layered clothing 

Children are welcome unless it 

says otherwise, but under 16s must 

be accompanied by an adult. 

Dogs: unfortunately dogs are 

not allowed unless stated due to 

health & safety reasons. When 

dogs are allowed they must be 

well behaved, kept on a short lead 

at all times and be fit enough for 

the terrain. 

Toilets: many events are in 

remote locations with no toilets. 

Book online via www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk 

T: 01423 712950 or E: aonbevents@harrogate.gov.uk 

More events online at www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk 

© ?? 

© Graham Spooner 

© Ros Evans 

© Ros Evans 

Become a ‘Friend’ of 

Nidderdale AONB and 

get 50% off most AONB 

events. See p45 or visit 

www.niddaonbfriends. 

org.uk 

March 2016 

Reading the 

archaeological landscape 

Saturday 12, 10.30am to 3.30pm 

Have you ever walked through a 

landscape and seen strange lumps 

and bumps or the remnants of 

long-forgotten ruined stonework? 

The countryside is one giant 

archaeological site and these 

features are the ‘fingerprints’ of 

the generations of people who 

have lived and worked in it for 

thousands of years. Join us to 

learn the basics of reading and 

recording the historic landscape 

with archaeologist Jim Brightman. 

After an indoor introductory 

session, we’ll head out to put 

these skills into practice. Please 

bring lunch, and suitable outdoor 

clothing and footwear. The 

session will be suitable for adults 

and young people over the age 

of 14, (14-18 year olds must be 

accompanied by an adult). Meet: 

Pateley Bridge Council Chamber. 

Cost: £5 per adult, under 18s free. 

Booking essential. 

Wildlife Watch 

Saturday 19, 10am to 12pm 

Spring will nearly be here 

(hopefully!) so we’ll be finding 

out about birds eggs, nests and 

having crafty fun. For children 

age 5 to 11. At: Broadbelt Hall, 

Glasshouses. Cost: £1 per child, 

adults free. Booking not required. 

Events are part of the 

‘Upper Nidderdale 

Landscape Partnership’ - a 

Heritage Lottery Funded project to 

conserve and celebrate the heritage 

of Upper Nidderdale. More info: 

www.uppernidderdale.org.uk 

April 2016 

Updale to Scar House 

Reservoir for Spring 

Upland Birds 

Friday 8, 8.30am 

Join members of Nidderdale 

Birdwatchers for a half day trip up 

Nidderdale from Pateley Bridge to 

Scar House Reservoir, looking for 

early spring migrants and hopefully 

Ring Ouzel and raptors. Travel by 

car with stops en route, including 

Gouthwaite, before reaching Scar 

House Reservoir, where there 

will also be a short walk. Please 

bring binoculars and wear suitable 

clothing and footwear for a short 

walk. Meet: Pateley Bridge. Cost: 

£5 admin charge per person 

for non-members of Nidderdale 

Birdwatchers. Booking essential. 

Stargazing Night 

Saturday 9, 7.30pm 

Join members of the York 

Astronomical Society for a night 

under the stars. A short presentation 

inside the newly built Lime Tree 

Observatory followed by observing 

through a range of telescopes. Given 

good weather we expect to see a thin 

crescent Moon, the planets Jupiter 

and Mercury, and we may even 

have a visit from the International 

Space Station. All ages and abilities 

are welcome. At: Lime Tree Farm, 

Hutts Lane, Grewelthorpe, HG4 

3DA. Cost: £5 per adult, under 16s 

free. Booking essential. 



Fun for 5-11 year olds. Details at 


Events are part of the ‘Flowers 

of the Dales Festival’ - a 

fantastic range of wildflower inspired 

events and activities throughout the 

Yorkshire Dales. Full programme: 

www.ydmt.org 

WW1 Family 

History Training 

Saturday 16, 10am to 12.30pm 

Events are part of 

‘Nidderdale AONB 

& the First World War’ - a WW1 

Centenary project funded by the 

Heritage Lottery Fund. More info: 



Events 

Do you have an ancestor who was 

involved in the First World War but 

don’t have more than a few details 

or know where to find out more? 

Bring along medals, regimental 

details or other memorabilia 

you may have and find out how. 

Suitable for adults. At: Harrogate 

Library (IT suite). Cost: £4 per 

person. Booking essential. 

Moorlands: People, Places, 

Stories – Project Launch 

Saturday 16, 10.30am to 12.30pm 

Come and hear about our 

exciting new oral history 

project exploring people’s 

relationship with Upper Nidderdale’s 

moorland. For leisure, for inspiration, 

for work – our moorlands are 

special places. Join the team from 

the University of York and Upper 

Nidderdale Landscape Partnership 

to hear about their history, and find 

out how you can volunteer with the 

project to share your stories or to 

record other people’s stories. Meet: 

Pateley Bridge Council Chamber. 

Cost: Free. Booking recommended. 

The Leeds Pals Trail 

Saturday 23, 

3pm to 5pm 

Come along on this guided walk 

with volunteers who have been 

researching the buildings and places 

in the city centre associated with the 

Leeds Pals battalions who enlisted, 

mustered and trained there during 

the First World War. At: Leeds - 

meeting place details on booking. 

Cost: Free. Booking essential. 

47

events 2016 • walks • explore • discovery • craft • adventure • family fun • heritage • wildlife • foraging • talks • traditional skills • www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk 

May 2016 

WW1 and a Small 

Dales Community 


Join this walk around Glasshouses 

village with volunteers who 

have been researching the men 

listed on the war memorial who 

served during the First World 

War: find out about their war 

record and where they and their 

families lived and worked. Meet: 

Glasshouses - meeting place 

details on booking. Cost: Free. 


Discover Wath Mill 

Saturday 14, 10.30am to 

1.30pm 

Find out about the fascinating 

history of Wath Mill, see the 

fabulous surviving machinery, 

and find out about the work 

being carried out as part of the 

Upper Nidderdale Landscape 

Partnership. The mill is privately 

owned and is not normally open to 

the public. Part of National Mills 

Weekend. There are no facilities at 

Wath Mill, and parking is limited. 

At: Wath Mill, Wath, near Pateley 

Bridge. Cost: Free. Drop in – 

booking not required. 





Otley Show 

Saturday 21, All day 

Come and visit the AONB stand 

and find out more about our work. 

48 


Bat Walk 

Friday 27, 8.30pm to 10.30pm 

Join John Drewett of North 

Yorkshire Bat Group and 

discover these wonderful 

night time creatures in the 

stunning surrounds of Hackfall. 

Approx 3 miles. Paths are steep 

in places and can be muddy/ 

slippery. Please bring a torch. 

Meet: Hackfall car park, on the 

Grewelthorpe to Masham Road. 

Cost: £5 per adult, under 16s 


June 2016 

Wildflower Meadow Walk 

Wednesday 8, 5.30pm to 7.30pm 

Join us for a walk around 

the beautiful and extensive 

wildflower meadows at 

Duck House Farm. The vast 

range of flowers in these lovely 

meadows also makes it a haven 

for wildlife so it is sure to be a 

delightful evening. At: Studley 

Royal - directions on booking. 

Cost: £5 per adult, under 16s 


Family Fun at Fishpond 

Wood 


Help us celebrate the work at 

Fishpond Wood that has seen it 

transformed throughout 2015 – 

the wood has been opened up, 

the pond has been dredged, the 

icehouse repaired, and the feel of 

the 19 th century designed landscape 

is once again evident. Time Spies 

and Nature Detectives can try 

their hand at an archaeological 

excavation, discover what lurks 

in the murky pond waters, and 

explore the hidden heritage of the 

woods. Open to all. There are no 

facilities in the wood, and parking 

is limited. Please park in Pateley 

Bridge and enjoy the short walk 

to Bewerley. Cost: Free. Drop in – 


© PHP 

Heritage Skills: Dry 

Stone Walling Taster Day 

Wednesday 15, 10am to 4.30pm 

Learn about the history of dry stone 

walls, some of their features and the 

theory behind this traditional skill, 

before heading out into the AONB 

for a hands-on walling session with 

the Nidderdale AONB Walling 

Group. Not suitable for under 16’s. 

You will need: Sturdy footwear 

(steel toe caps if possible) and old 

clothes. At: Heathfield, near Pateley 

Bridge. Exact location on booking. 

Cost: £10 per person (includes 

buffet lunch). Booking essential. 





July 2016 





Gouthwaite Farm 

Heritage Walk 

Wednesday 20, 5.30pm to 8.30pm 

Join us for an evening walk 

through the history of Gouthwaite 

Farm, by kind permission of Mr 

John Rayner. The walk takes in 

sites from prehistory right through 

to the building of the reservoirs 

in the 19th century, and enjoys 

spectacular views over Nidderdale. 

Finish with supper overlooking 

Gouthwaite Reservoir. The walk 

is approximately 7km (4.5 miles) 

and involves stiles and some steep 

terrain off rights of way. Part of 

the Festival of Archaeology. Meet: 

Car park adjacent to Gouthwaite 

reservoir (SE124698). Honesty 

box parking. Cost: £7.50 per adult 

(includes buffet supper). Under 16s 

£3.50. Booking essential. 

© PHP 

Big Dig: The Lost 

Village of Lodge 

Tuesday 12 to Saturday 23 

Help us to unravel the story of the 

abandoned village of Lodge as 

part of a community archaeology 

excavation led by archaeologists 

from Solstice Heritage. The Big 

Dig is open to adults and young 

people over the age of 12 (12 to 18 

year olds must be accompanied 

by an adult). Full on-site training 

will be provided. Bring lunch, 

waterproofs and enthusiasm. 

Watch out for some introductory 

sessions ahead of the Big Dig. Full 

details at uppernidderdale.org. 

uk or contact the AONB Office. 

Cost: Free. Booking essential. 

Excavation Open Day: 

The Lost Village of Lodge 


See how the excavations are 

progressing at Lodge village. 

Please park in the Scar House 

reservoir car park and walk 

to the site (approx. 30 minutes 

along a rough track). Cost: Free. 

Drop in – booking not required. 

August 2016 

Coldstones Quarry 

Geology Walk 

Tuesday 2, 6pm to 8pm 

Take a look at the geology of 

Coldstones Quarry from the inside 

on this fascinating guided walk. 

The walk will be on rough ground 

and it may be muddy. Walking 

boots and wind proof clothing are 

recommended. Hard hats will be 

provided. Meet: Coldstones Quarry 

Offices, Greenhow. Entrance off 

the B6265 at the Pateley Bridge side 

of Greenhow. Cost: £5 per adult, 

under 16s free. Booking essential. 

NiddFest 

Friday 5 to Sunday 7 

NiddFest is a unique, new, family 

friendly festival, offering a weekend 

of talks and outside events for 

nature lovers of all ages. Come and 

be inspired by hearing some of the 

UK’s leading writers talking about 

all things wild and wonderful. Join 

our rangers on guided walks across 

the remotest reaches of the moor, 

for ambles along the river or on 

foraging expeditions in the woods. 

Full details and tickets at www. 

niddfest.com 

Ripley Show 

Sunday 14, All day 







September 2016 

Heritage Open Day: 

Discover Wath Mill 

Thursday 8, 10.30am to 1.30pm 

Find out about the fascinating 

history of Wath Mill, see the 

fabulous surviving machinery, 

and find out about the work being 

carried out as part of the Upper 

Nidderdale Landscape Partnership. 

The mill is privately owned and is 

not normally open to the public. 

Part of Heritage Open Days. There 

are no facilities at Wath Mill, and 

parking is limited. At: Wath Mill, 

Wath, near Pateley Bridge. 

Cost: Free. Drop in – 


Heritage Open Day: ‘Witch of the 

Woods’ Cottage 


This enchanting 17 th century 

cottage is nestled amongst 

woodland just over a mile from the 

village of Galphay. It is privately 

owned and isn’t normally open 

to the public. It can be visited 

as part of a 3.5 miles/5.5km 

circular trail which also takes in 

Azerley, Hubber Lane and returns 

to Galphay via the beautiful 

Braithwaite Hall. A route map 

can be downloaded from www. 

nidderdaleaonb.org.uk. There are 

no facilities at Witch of the 

Woods. Cost: Free. Drop in 

- booking not required. 






© Tony Hudson 

49

events 2016 

• walks • family fun • foraging • www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk 

Nidderdale Show 

Monday 19, All day 



Masham Sheep Fair 

Saturday 24, All day 



October 2016 

Fungi Foray 

Sunday 2, 10am to 2pm 

Join local expert Chris Bax 

on this fascinating foraging 

session where you can learn 

to find and identify edible fungi. 

The event will include a short walk 

followed by a tasting session where 

Chris will cook up some of your 

findings for you to sample. Over 

escaping 

the everyday 

Fountains Abbey 

& Studley Royal 

Discover the spirit of a great 

abbey and the elegance of a 

Georgian water garden at this 

World Heritage Site. 

Members and under 5s go free 

01765 608888 

nationaltrust.org.uk/fountainsabbey 

National Trust 


16s only. At: Bewerley - meeting 

point given on booking. Cost: £10 

per person. Booking essential. 

Heritage Forum: The 

Lost Village of Lodge 

Saturday 8, 10am to 4.30pm 

Find out about the settlement of 

Lodge, abandoned in the 1920s, 

and hear about this summer’s 

community excavations. Talks in 

the morning will be followed by 

an opportunity to visit the remains 

of the abandoned settlement in 

the afternoon. Registration and 

refreshments from 9.30am. At: 

Lofthouse Memorial Hall. Cost: 

£7.50 per adult, under 16s £3.50 

(includes refreshments and lunch). 






November 2016 





Explore Greenhow’s Mine 

Date TBC, 6pm to 8.30pm 

Follow in the footsteps of the 

Greenhow miners on this trip 

down Gillfield Mine. Mainly 

walking along a level passage 

way with ladders to an upper 

level. Wellington boots are 

essential and old waterproofs 

are recommended. Hard hats 

with lamps will be provided. 

Not suitable for under 12s. Meet: 

Coldstones Quarry Offices, 

Greenhow. Entrance off the 

B6265 at the Pateley Bridge side 

of Greenhow. Cost: £5 per adult, 

under 16s free. Booking essential. 

© National Trust Images/Chris Lacey. Registered Charity Number 205846. 

We would like to know what you think of this guide so that we can make it 

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If you would like to be entered into the free prize draw please enter your details below 

(closing date for entries is 31 December 2016). 

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Heather moorland © Graham Megson 

Studfold Trail © PHP 

Farmer at work© PHP 

Coldstones Cut © PHP Sanders & Wallace Glassblowers © PHP Rosebud Preserves © PHP 

Please return this form to: 

Visit Nidderdale AONB 2016, 

The Old Workhouse, King Street, 

Pateley Bridge, Harrogate, HG3 5LE 

Red Grouse © VisitEngland/ 

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Get in touch: 

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