Car Park: On-site
Amenities: Not at the Nature reserve itself but Cafe & toilets in Wharfemeadows Park
Gallows Hill is a peaceful and increasingly diverse place, situated along a stretch of the River Wharfe in Otley. It is a habitat for a great many species of wildlife, most notably the Common Toads which can be found in the pond in large numbers. Look out for the pond where you may see a flash of blue as a kingfisher flies over the water.
The Friends of Gallows Hill help maintain the area, keeping the pushchair friendly riverside path from overgrowth and planting numerous trees over the years, including cherry, ash, hawthorn and hazel. The flat path guides you around the central lake, passing the community orchard, the pond and the river before heading back to the car park or into Wharfe Meadows Park for a coffee from the cafe.
Car Parking: Use either of the Golden Acre Park car parks, one of which is on the A660 and the other on the Adel to Arthington road. (Free)
Amenities: Toilets and cafe at Golden Acre (just serving takeaway during lockdown)
Golden Acre Park has a lovely walk around the lake with plenty of ducks to feed. With a newly refurbished cafe, a regular ice cream van and plenty of space for a picnic you can spend the day!
Paul’s Pond is 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 new Fairy doors begin almost immediately on this route and continue all the way around the pond. You can find out more about the Fairy Doors here. The main paths will be fine for a solid pram but there are plenty of side paths which you can explore and streams aplenty to paddle in so take wellies!
If starting this walk from Bramhope take the style on the Sycamores and follow the path until you reach the woods. Hang right for Pauls 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.
Adel Dam has been open to the public since it became a Yorkshire Wildlife Trust nature reserve. The circular fern-lined path, winds in an impressive loop through the wet and dry woodlands, where you’ll have the chance to see badgers, roe deer, foxes and kingfishers to name a few.
The route is great for little legs, the paths are level and easy going up until the first hide (Marsh Hide), this section is suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. The remainder of the circuit is a more natural uneven surface, including steps, bridges and narrow points. Some areas do get boggy so suitable footwear required and you are required to stick to the paths.
It can be accessed through Golden Ace Park. Instead of walking across the new wooden bridge at the back of the lake verve down to the left and enter the nature reserve through the gate.
Car Park: Road
Amenities: Not at the woods but nearby at The Riverside Hotel
These woods are absolutely gorgeous. If you walk on the linked route below it takes in Ilkley’s Riverside where you can grab a coffee from The Riverside Hotel.
Find the map of the 3 mile route here
