Yorkshire Walks

Looking at the River Nidd from the public footpath between the car park and the river in Pateley Bridge

Gap in the wall from the car park to the riverside path

Walking up Main Street in Pateley Bridge

At the road we turned right and walked along Main Street climbing up the hillside. There were no grass verges but there were numerous colourful flower beds at the road side. About half way up the hill on the right hand side of the road I could not pass the butcher's shop with its display of lovely pork pies. I just had to pop in and buy a couple to take home. At the top of the hill the main road made a sharp right hand turn.

The weather this morning was dull and cloudy but was expected to brighten up this afternoon. My friend, Jim, and I drove to Pateley Bridge in Nidderdale and parked in the 'Pay & Display' car park next to the river just off the Main Street at map ref. SE 158 655. We left the car park via a gap in the wall leading onto a public footpath next to the River Nidd. From the car park we turned right and walked along the path to the Main Street at the northern end of the road bridge over the River Nidd.

Walking up Main Street in Pateley Bridge

Flowers at the top of Main Street at the sharp right hand bend

Nearing our right turn off the Ripon Road, B6265

Sign showing the path along the road to the Harefield Hall hotel

Passing the buildings at the Harefield Hall hotel

Keeping right along the path to the River Nidd

Joining the path by the River Nidd

We followed the path along this road down the hillside heading towards the River Nidd. We passed the hotel and its associated buildings on our right. Beyond the hotel buildings we came to a private gravel driveway heading ahead & then left. To our right there was a narrow path heading down into the bushes and this was our public footpath. We followed this path for about 100m through the trees down to the River Nidd.

We followed the road round the sharp right hand bend where it became Ripon Road, the B6265. After about 80m from the bend we passed the large Methodist Church on our right and continued for another 250m to a narrow road heading steeply down the hillside to the Harefield Hall hotel. There is a public footpath along this road and we turned right off Ripon Road to follow the public footpath.

Heading down towards the Harefield Hall hotel

Passing the buildings at the Harefield Hall hotel

Following the path down to the River Nidd

Doubling back along the path by the River Nidd

Path by the River Nidd heading towards Pateley Bridge

Following the public footpath next to the River Nidd

Following the riverside path towards Pateley Bridge

Here there was a high retaining wall on our right an a low parapet wall above the river on our left. We followed this path in a small semi-circle that ended next to a gap in the retaining wall on our right.

At the river bank we turned sharp right, doubling back along the river side path. It was a pretty path with the river on our left. We continued along the river bank for about 600m.

Following the riverside path towards Pateley Bridge

Semi-circular path to the gap in the wall

Gap in the wall with steps up to the sculpture & site of the railway turntable

Plaque at the site of the railway turntable

One of the three "Pillars Past" emerging from the rock

Returning to the riverside path to Pateley Bridge

Also on this site is a sculpture called "Pillars Past". The sculpture consists of three figures arranged in a circle. The figures face into the circle and each appears to be emerging from its sandstone block. The figures represent the economic pillars of Nidderdale over the centuries from the monastic past through lead mining and agriculture with sheep & wool continuing to the present day.

Through this gap there were some steps leading up to the land above the retaining wall. There is a plaque explaining that this was the site of a railway turntable at the end of the line where the engine was turned rout to take the train at Pateley Bridge Station back to Harrogate. The site of the station is about 150m along the line towards the town centre.

One of the three "Pillars Past" emerging from the rock

One of the three "Pillars Past" emerging from the rock

Riverside path heading back towards Pateley Bridge

Riverside path on the edge of Pateley Bridge

River Nidd seen from the riverside path in Pateley Bridge

But it was an interesting walk through the pretty countryside of Nidderdale. It had taken me about 90minutes to walk this route and me and my wonky knees were very glad of the tea rooms just next to the car park with a nice view of the river from the balcony.

From the sculpture we returned to the riverside path and continued for the past 200m along the path back to the tea rooms on the river side next to the car park and the end of our walk. It was only a short morning stroll of about 2.5km.

Gap in the wall from the riverside path back to the car park

Riverside Cafe next to the car park at the end of our walk