Visit NIDDERDALE

Lower Nidderdale
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.
Things to do ...
© Darley Mill
Da rl e y Mill
Centre
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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
16 www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk
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.
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© PHP
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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
Visit Nidderdale AONB 2016
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