Visit NIDDERDALE

The Southern AONB & Washburn Valley
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.
Things to do ...
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’.
Grid ref: SE 235775
Jervaulx Abbey: a beautiful
ruined Cistercian Abbey near
Masham. Work by Turner: a
number of sketches.
Grid ref: SE 172857
Masham Market Place: an
attractive market town with
Yorkshire’s largest market
square. Work by Turner: a
number of sketches.
Grid ref: SE 225807
Discover more of the places across Yorkshire that
inspired Turner at www.yorkshire.com/turner
20 www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk
Visit Nidderdale AONB 2016
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