We’re lucky to live in such a beautiful part of the world – and there are so many hidden gems right on our doorstep.
You might not be familiar with the stunning Hackfall Woods, an ancient woodland north-east of the village of Grewelthorpe in North Yorkshire.
With its grottos, glades, temples, ruins, waterfalls – it could have come straight out of a fairytale.
Where is it?
Hackfall is located on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, within the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It covers nearly 120 acres of ancient semi-natural woodland within a gorge of the River Ure.
You can find the exact location on Google Maps here.
How do you get there?
You can get to Hackfall Woods via car. It’s approximately 34 miles from York and takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes to get there.
How long can you spend there?
It’s completely up to you – but you can easily spend one to three hours there. There are lots of places to sit and admire the view or set up a spot for a picnic, just remember to take your rubbish home with you! There are even places for kids (or furry friends) to have a little paddle.
What facilities are there?
Due to the terrain and steep paths there is unfortunately no wheelchair access at Hackfall.
There is a free Woodland Trust car park approximately half a mile before Grewelthorpe Village, or there is parking available in nearby town of Masham.
There are no toilets on site – the nearest public toilets are in Masham, around two miles or there are toilet facilities in the Grewelthorpe village hall.
What is there to see?
As well as the beautiful woodland, rustic temples and waterfalls, designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest because of the large number of birds, plants and invertebrates that live or feed here.
While you’re there, look out for animals like the kingfisher, grey wagtail, common sandpiper, foxes, badgers, and stoats.
For more information about Hackfall, visit the Woodland Trust website.
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