Top 8 Lakes around Nidd

The Queen Mother’s Lake is a tranquil area designed to celebrate the natural beauty of the Yorkshire landscape. It features soft, marginal plantings, a wildflower meadow, and majestic trees, creating a haven for both visitors and wildlife. The lake serves as a peaceful retreat within the garden, offering a serene environment for relaxation and reflection. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks around the lake, taking in the picturesque surroundings and observing the diverse flora and fauna that inhabit the area.

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

Studley Royal Park 800 acres, including an 18th Century landscaped garden, the ruins of Fountains Abbey, Fountains Hall Jacobean mansion and St Mary’s Church

Beautiful reflections and views.

The Studley Royal Water Garden is a beautiful park landscape with the Moon Ponds, some lovely walkways and decorative buildings such as the Octagonal Tower with the serpentine tunnel underneath, the Monopteros, the Surprise View and Anne Boleyn's Seat. The Temple of Piety at the Moon Ponds is also very beautiful. It is a lovely place to linger and enjoy the park.

I went on this walk and probably wouldn’t do it again. There are a couple of stiles you need to lift your dog over. The first farm I came across had an u n friendly German shepherd dog and was aggressive towards my dog. I was walking alone so not a pleasant experience. The next farm was the most unkempt farm I have seen. There was cattle wandering in the junk farm yard amongst abandoned cars and other white goods. The mud was awful and the whole place was very downtrodden and bleak. I would not recommend this walk.

this reservoir was built in 1890 but in 2013 was decommissioned by Yorkshire Water, you can see how nature has taken over leaving just the John O Gaunt smaller reservoir left with water.