Access:
Harrogate Town Centre
Follow the signs from the station, and onto the Greenway (at the rear of Asda carpark) follow the route of the old railway from Harrogate to Ripley, or branch off and follow the Beryl Burton cycle way to Knaresborough.
Bilton Lane
Car Park. Large Map.
Direct access to the Nidderdale Greenway, Bilton Fields wildflower meadows, the Nidd Gorge Viaduct, Woodlands and Riverside. A popular and well-used amenity used by walkers, bird-watchers, cyclists, photographers, horse-riders, dog-walkers, model aircraft flyers, geo-cachers, and in fact, anyone who appreciates being outdoors and close to nature. The Greenway itself is ideal for those with disabilities or less able walkers.
Enjoy a glass of something refreshing at the village pub (Gardeners Arms) which has a beer garden (but sadly,no food) on the banks of Bilton Beck. Milner’s Lane, alongside the pub, is a public bridleway along an ancient hollow-way or pack-horse trail, through agricultural land with panoramic views, and down the steep drop into the ravine. Paths lead in both directions alongside the river, upstream past Scotton Weir and downstream towards Burgess Bridge.
There is direct access onto the cycleway from the centre of Harrogate and from Starbeck
Conyngham Hall (Knaresborough)
Car Park (pay & display) & Toilet Facilities. The grounds of Conyngham Hall are accessible to most but the entrance to the grounds is via a long gentle slope and there are steep steps in some places.
Woodland Walk – Yorkshire Driftwood, who offer support and creative development opportunities to young people with disabilities, have created a series of beautiful wooden sculptures in the woodland close to Bond End. There are eight sculptures, on the theme of “along the riverbank,” inspired by the book The Wind in the Willows. In all, more than 250 people worked on the project, from volunteers to artists.
Outdoor Games -Outdoor games are available from March to October.
two tennis courts
18-hole putting
18-hole pitch and putt golf
nine-hole crazy golf
small adventure trail
Waterside – Enjoy a boat ride, visit the castle or Mother Shipton’s Cave and Dropping well.
The Beryl Burton Cycleway is across the bridge and the Nidd Gorge itself which consists of a 68-acre area of woodland, comprising mixed evergreen and deciduous trees. Pathways can be uneven, and may be muddy at times.
Ripley
Large car park & toilet facilities. Visit Ripley Castle, tea rooms or enjoy an ice-cream.
Bike Hire is available at Ripley (www.nidderdalecycles.co.uk) – they have bikes, tandems, child seats and trailers.
Ripley Road – (B6165)
Car Park (look out for the signs) with access directly into the Nidd Gorge. Walk downstream alongside the riverbank to another entry point off Lands Lane, or cross the river (Burgess Bridge) and enjoy a walk upstream.
