Visit NIDDERDALE

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.
18 www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk
Fewston Reservoir © PHP
Key to symbols
Cashpoint /
Post Office
Visitor
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
Things to do ...
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
Things to do ...
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.
Things to do ...
The Southern AONB & 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.
Things to do ...
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
Visit Nidderdale AONB 2016
19