Car Park: Off-site or Golden Acre Park main car park
Walk Distance: 1km or Varied. approx 1/2 hour or more if you tag on Golden Acre Park and/or Adel Dam Nature Reserve
Amenities: Toilets and cafe situated in Golden Acre Park
A lovely walk which you can begin in either Bramhope, Cookridge or from Golden Acre. If starting at Golden Acre you take the wooden bridge before the underpass tunnel and follow the path through the woods to Pauls Pond. The bluebells begin almost immediately! The main paths will be fine for a solid pram but there are plenty of side paths that you can explore and streams aplenty to paddle in so take wellies or jellies!
If starting this walk from Bramhope take the style on the Sycamores and follow the path until you reach the woods. Hang right for Paul’s Pond. There is NO PARKING on the Sycamores.
If starting from Cookridge walk down Pinfold Lane and head right towards the woods. There is NO PARKING on Pinfold Lane.
Car Park: Off-site
Walk Distance: 4.8km or Varied. approx 1 & 1/2 hours. Not suitable for buggies.
Amenities: None.
Middleton Woods is famous for its colourful bluebells that cover the floor of its wood in May and is a popular favourite throughout the year.
Start at the Junction of Denton Road and Middleton Avenue at bottom of New Brook Street. A 2.5-mile easy-going walk that takes roughly 90 minutes. This walk climbs through the woods and then up onto the hill beyond with excellent views back across the town to the moor.
Car Park: BD23 1UA or there are plenty of local pay & display car parks available in Skipton.
Walk Distance: Varied. There are over 2000 metres of surfaced trails within the wood, although the path along the top of the wood is very steep and unsuitable for the less able. You can find a printable map of all the routes here.
Amenities: None on-site but plenty of local cafes for take-aways locally.
The best way to experience Skipton Castle Woods is to visit by walking along the spectacular towpath from Mill Bridge in the heart of Skipton. On arrival in the wood, you will find a site map full of interesting features, suggested walking routes and more activities to try and the sea of bluebells starts immediately!
Most of Skipton’s ancient woodland is a mix of broadleaf trees such as oak, ash, lime, alder, hornbeam, holly, hazel and beech. But you’ll also find yew, Scot’s pine and Norway spruce.
Woodland plants and flowers such as wild garlic, bluebells, wood anemone and dogs mercury are in seasonal abundance.
Skipton Castle Woods supports a rich diversity of wildlife, including many bats, birds and deer.
NT Brimham Rocks
Car Park: Pay & Display on-site.
Walk Distance: Varied.
Amenities: Take-away cafe on site.
Walk around the rocks and surrounding woodland and you’ll see plenty of bluebells appearing along the way. As the weather gets warmer this month, bring a picnic and relax in the quiet of this very special place.
Brimham Moor Road, Summerbridge, Harrogate HG3 4DW
Middleton Woods Local Nature Reserve Leeds
Car Park: Free parking at LS10 4LX – Middleton Park Circus.
Walk Distance: Varied.
Amenities: over 470 acres and has a cafe, bowling greens, a playground, and a fishing lake.
Early spring is a wonderful time to enjoy the woodland, as wildflowers are at their most abundant and bluebells, wood anemone, wood sorrel and lesser celandine cover the ground. In addition, the woodland edge, open glades and path edges are also important for plants and butterflies, which can be seen flying in these sunny spots during the summer months.
Middleton Grove, LS10 4HX
NT Nostell
Car Park: Pay & Display on-site.
Walk Distance: Varied.
Amenities: Take-away cafe on site.
As May progresses you’ll see carpets of bluebells appearing in Nostell’s gardens and parkland. One of the best places to see them is around the Middle Lake. If you bring your bike, set off along the cycle trail in the ancient woodland to see them lining your route.
Doncaster Road, Nostell, Wragby, Wakefield WF4 1QE
