Easy hikes and walks around Harrogate

Wow, what a place! Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Gardens completely blew me away. The abbey ruins are absolutely stunning – huge, dramatic, and full of atmosphere. You can just wander around and lose yourself in the history. The water gardens are gorgeous too –beautifully designed lakes, with statues, little follies, and surprise viewpoints. Catching a glimpse of the abbey from across the water is like something out of a painting. We also spotted deer in the park which was a bit of a treat! Loads of walking routes to choose from, so you can do a quick wander or spend the whole day exploring. There’s also two good on-site cafes, one at the visitor centre, and one lakeside venue. There are also plenty of picnic spots if you bring your own. The whole place is spotless and really well looked after. This was one of the best days out I’ve had in ages – peaceful, scenic, and full of history. It is also a World Heritage Site to boot, so you are in for a treat!

A television series (in German) that I wholeheartedly recommend introduces culture-loving viewers to remarkable testimonies to human creativity from many countries around the world. What they all have in common is that they have been granted "World Heritage" status by UNESCO. * "A park, gnarled trees, twisted by the wind as if by a giant's hand. Herds of fallow deer and roe deer graze in the tall grass. In the valley, nature is reflected in an artificial lake: the visitor stands in Lord Aislabie's "Watergarden." Small Greek temples and Gothic turrets are also reflected in the water, for in the 18th century it was fashionable to decorate the parks of noble country estates with Greek temples and Gothic turrets – real ruins were highly prized. And the lord owned a truly magnificent ruin in his park. Walking along well-kept park paths by the stream that flows through the artificial lakes, one's gaze falls on "Fountains Abbey," or what remains of what was once the largest English Cistercian monastery in Yorkshire, an impressive ruin." reads the media library's website. The corresponding film contribution (in German) can be found under the following link =>> https://www.ardmediathek.de/video/schaetze-der-welt/der-park-v-studley-und-die-ruinen-von-fountains-abbey-gb-folge-197/swr/Y3JpZDovL3N3ci5kZS83MDM1MzE0

Quintessentially pretty market town, arrive early to find suitable parking, best place is next to the showground on the southern side of the bridge over the River Nidd. Honesty box only (no payment cards), cheap at £1 up to 4 hours and £2 all day (spring 2025 prices). The southern end of Nidderdale around Pateley Bridge has one of the densest concentrations of public footpaths in North Yorkshire, so loads of routeing options. See the North Yorks public rights of way map at https://maps.northyorks.gov.uk/connect/analyst/mobile/#/main?mapcfg=Out_and_About

If you can stomach getting up very early for hikes and runs, then you will have the place to yourself. Absolutely stunning at around 6-7am in the early morning May sunshine.

Great views both up and downstream, with parking on both sides of the bridge. The car park on the southern side, next to the cricket pitch and showground, is quite big and now relies on an honesty box for payment.

Undoubtedly the most scenic of the Washburn reservoirs with the moorland backdrop to the north. The circular route around the reservoir from the car park is about 5 miles, the track on the southwestern side runs along the edge of plantations and offers some shade from the sun and shelter from the elements. The track on the northeastern side is more exposed, and if you do the whole circuit you will cross over Far Comb Hill and the plantation along the edge of the reservoir at Whit Moor - a great route.

Cracking location from which to explore. Reasonably well-sized car park (about 25 spaces) immediately accessible from the A59. Head south to walk around Fewston and Swinsty Reservoirs along very easy and well-maintained tracks, or even better, head north up the River Washburn for a serene woodland walk along the babbling river's edge, to eventually pop out at the very imposing face of Thruscross Reservoir dam. If this car park is full, then try Swinsty Moor Plantation or Fewston village if heading south, or try the bigger car park at Thruscross Reservoir if heading north.

Small bridge at the southern end of the dam allows you to peer over and see the overflow for Fewston Reservoir and the sloping masonry weirs that channel overflow down into Swinsty Reservoir. Great views of both reservoirs northwest to Fewston and southeast to Swinsty.