Attractions and Places To See around Snape With Thorp - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Snape With Thorp, a civil parish in North Yorkshire, England, include a variety of notable landmarks, natural features, and cultural sites. The area is characterized by its historical significance, featuring ancient castles and abbey ruins. Visitors can explore diverse landscapes, from planned woodlands with waterfalls to extensive arboretums. This region offers a blend of historical exploration and natural beauty.
Best attractions and places to see around Snape With Thorp
- The most popular attractions is The Druid's Temple, a man-made monument that is an intriguing 19th-century folly styled after ancient stone circles. Built to provide employment, it remains an atmospheric and unique location.
- Another must-see spot is Hackfall Wood, a natural area known for its waterfalls, dense woodland trails, a stream, and various grottos and ruins. This restored 18th-century planned landscape offers a rich exploration experience.
- Visitors also love Masham Market Square, a Georgian market square at its centre, home to many independent businesses, pubs, and the town hall. It is one of the largest market places in England, featuring elegant Georgian houses and an ancient cross.
- Snape With Thorp is known for historical sites, natural features like arboretums and woodlands, and vibrant market towns. The region offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, catering to different interests.
- The attractions around Snape With Thorp are appreciated by the komoot community, with 134 upvotes and 127 photos shared by visitors.
Last updated: May 6, 2026
The Druid's Temple
Highlight • Monument
The Druids Temple was built to alleviate local unemployment, allowing William Danby, a wealthy landowner of the time to pay workers a shilling a day for their labour.
At less than 200 years old, it is nonetheless an atmospheric and intriguing location.
Despite its origin being common knowledge, myths and rumours of mystic practices have sprung up over its lifetime with tales of Devil worship and harrowing frights experienced by those who have spent the night. It's a bit spooky even in daylight hours!
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Masham Market Square
Highlight • Restaurant
Masham is a town with two breweries and a top selection of pubs for your post exercise refreshments!
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Hackfall Wood
Highlight • Waterfall
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Bedale Market Town
Highlight • Cafe
There are a number of great cafes in the town or for something cycling specific try the Tandem Cafe on the Bedale Road heading north east from the centre.
There a number of interesting historic buildings in Bedale, including Bedale Hall, the Leech House (used by an apothecary to store leeches) and the Old Grammar School.
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Hackfall Fountain Pond
Highlight • Lake
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Tips from the Community
A hidden gem and interesting story behind the construction of the Temple. Beautiful views and an interesting undulating walk through stunning countryside.
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Masham is a small market town that is built around a large square. It has held a market charter since 1250 and thrived due to the easy access of the flocks of sheep from nearby Fountains and Jervaulx Abbeys. There is still a sheep fair every September where huge numbers of sheep are bought and sold.
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Bedale is a small market town in the district of Hambleton. It is on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales and is ideally situated for many of the Dales attractions.
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Masham Market Place is one of the largest in England. It has elegant Georgian houses that stand around its periphery and an ancient cross with cobbled area at its centre.
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the drive to the temple was well worth it. You will find a cafe, and family area, before a short walk up to the temple. the set up of the rock formations is mind blowing, but very interesting. a big tick for me to visit again.
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Hackfall Wood is managed and has been restored by the Woodland Trust. It's a wonderful place to explore with waterfalls, woodland trails, a stream and river and several grottos, ruins and water features to visit. It has previously won the conservation category at the Europa Nostra societies for a 18th century planned landscape.
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The fountain pond in Hackfall Forest is well worth finding. The fountain works from a hand pump that you must pressurize yourself. There is an information board and example of the old wooden pipes that used to carry water to the pond and fountain. There is also a small folly close by.
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This isn't an actual temple, it's a 19th century folly created to provide employment for local people by the wealthy landowner William Danby. It's styled as a smaller version of Stone Henge and although only 200 years old it's still atmospheric and worth a visit.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical sites can I explore around Snape With Thorp?
The region is rich in history. You can visit the intriguing The Druid's Temple, a 19th-century folly styled after ancient stone circles. Other notable historical sites include Snape Castle, formerly home to Catherine Parr, and the impressive Jervaulx Abbey Ruins, dating back to 1156. Further afield, you'll find Marmion Tower, Middleham Castle (childhood home of Richard III), and Easby Abbey ruins by the River Swale.
Are there family-friendly attractions in the Snape With Thorp area?
Yes, several attractions cater to families. The Druid's Temple is a fun place for children to explore. Thorp Perrow Arboretum and Bird of Prey & Mammal Centre, located in Snape, offers extensive gardens and animal encounters. Hackfall Wood provides adventurous woodland trails, waterfalls, and grottos that children often enjoy discovering.
What natural features and woodlands can I visit near Snape With Thorp?
You can immerse yourself in nature at Hackfall Wood, known for its waterfalls, dense woodland trails, and an 18th-century planned landscape with various grottos and water features. Thorp Perrow Arboretum, also in Snape, boasts one of the largest collections of trees and shrubs in the North of England, with beautiful seasonal displays of snowdrops, crocuses, and bluebells.
What kind of outdoor activities and routes are available near these attractions?
The area offers a variety of outdoor activities. For cycling, you can explore routes like the 'Snape Castle – Bedale Market Town loop' or the 'Masham Market Square – Snape Castle loop'. Hikers can enjoy trails such as the 'Hackfall Wood and Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park loop' or the 'Masham Market Square – The Druid's Temple loop'. Running enthusiasts have options like the 'Bedale Market Town – Couch to 5K Week 1 loop'. You can find more details on these and other routes in the cycling, running, and hiking guides for Snape With Thorp.
Are there any market towns or cultural sites worth visiting?
Yes, Masham Market Square is a vibrant Georgian market square known for its independent businesses, pubs, and breweries. Bedale Market Town maintains its 750-year tradition of holding a market on Tuesdays and features interesting historic buildings like Bedale Hall. Further afield, St Mary's Church, Studley Royal, is considered an ecclesiastical masterpiece of High Victorian design.
What is the best time of year to visit Snape With Thorp attractions?
The best time to visit depends on your interests. Spring and summer are ideal for enjoying the seasonal floral displays at Thorp Perrow Arboretum and for exploring the outdoor trails of Hackfall Wood. While Jervaulx Abbey Ruins are open year-round, their tea-rooms typically close from November to February, so plan accordingly if you wish to use those facilities.
Can I find places to eat or drink near the attractions?
Absolutely. Masham Market Square is home to many independent businesses, pubs, and two breweries (Black Sheep Brewery and Theakstons Brewery). Bedale Market Town also offers a number of great cafes and pubs. Jervaulx Abbey Ruins has tea-rooms available during certain seasons.
Are there any unique or 'hidden gem' type attractions?
The Druid's Temple is a unique 19th-century folly, built to provide employment, and has an atmospheric, almost mystical feel despite its relatively recent construction. Hackfall Wood, with its award-winning conservation of an 18th-century planned landscape, offers hidden grottos, ruins, and the Hackfall Fountain Pond, providing a sense of discovery.
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions around Snape With Thorp?
Visitors frequently praise the unique atmosphere of The Druid's Temple, often finding it a perfect spot for lunch and exploration. Hackfall Wood is loved for its wonderful exploration opportunities, including waterfalls and woodland trails. The beauty and historical significance of Jervaulx Abbey Ruins and its accompanying cafe are also highly appreciated.
Are there any Roman sites in the vicinity?
Yes, approximately 14 miles from Snape With Thorp Parish, you can visit the Aldborough Roman Site. This site features Roman mosaic pavements set within a peaceful Victorian garden, marking the remains of a former northern tribal capital.
Where can I see birds and other wildlife?
Thorp Perrow Arboretum includes a Bird of Prey & Mammal Centre, offering opportunities to see various species. Hackfall Wood, with its dense woodlands and river, is also a good spot for observing local wildlife in its natural habitat.
Are there any attractions that are wheelchair accessible?
Masham Market Square is noted as being wheelchair accessible, allowing visitors to enjoy the Georgian square, independent shops, and pubs.
Most popular attractions around Snape With Thorp
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