Discover tree-lined river paths, a medieval deer park and cross seven old stone bridges on this woodland wander in Yorkshire.
Distance: 8 miles | Time: 3 hours | Grade: Moderate | Accessibility: Challenging
1. Start at the Fountains Abbey visitor centre. Leave the visitor centre and follow the signs for St Mary’s Church, along the bridleway. When you reach the obelisk, cross the estate road and take the public footpath through several fields. When you reach the road, turn right and walk along until you see a church. Turn left here and walk through the village of Aldfield.
2.Look out for a public footpath on your right crossing over several fields. When you reach the B6265 road, cross over to continue along the public footpath. Shortly after joining an area of woodland, you’ll come to a minor road. Turn right and walk along the road. Look out for a permissive path on the left (this isn’t signposted) and follow this through the woodland.
3. At the path junction, turn left following the footpath which takes you to the River Laver. Cross over the river and take the path on the right, following the path beside the river until you reach Galphay Mill.
4. Turn right and follow the road until you see a public bridleway on the right. Follow the long straight lane, passing Low Lindrick Farm, until you reach a road (B6265). Take care crossing the road and go through the small gate in the wall to take you into Studley Royal deer park.
5. Follow the tarmac drive in the deer park heading towards the large house, which is the former stable block belonging to Studley Royal House. Turn left here along the mown grass path and cross over ‘Rough Bridge’. Continue through the deer park and along the boundary wall until you reach the entrance lodges into the deer park. Turn left and walk under the arch.
6. At the end of the lane turn right along the permissive right of way, passing Plumpton Hall. Continue along the lane and follow the path downhill into the Chinese Wood and Seven Bridges Valley.
7. Follow the path around Studley Lake and mown grass path towards St Mary’s Church. Go through the gate and turn left along the bridleway, which will bring you back to the visitor centre.
(Credit: Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal)