Welcome to Nidderdale

Nidderdale

Nidderdale is a landscape full of contrasts and rich in wildlife. Exhilarating windswept moorlands and steep river valleys merge into gently rolling pastoral scenes, peaceful woodlands and tranquil expanses of water.

There are over 16,000 people who call Nidderdale their home. The only town within the AONB is Pateley Bridge which is renowned for its beauty with its nearby rolling hills, lush green trees,reservoirs including Gouthwaite and Scar House.  Pateley Bridge offers the perfect base with lots of parking and accommodation for activities including walking,  cycling, fishing, rock climbing, pot-holing and water sports.  Pateley Bridge has scout and guide groups, a fantastic public leisure centre with swimming pool and the centre holding regular sporting events.  Pateley Bridge is a popular stop off point being just about half way on the Way of Roses Coast to Coast official cycle route.

Attractions

Brimham Rocks – An amazing collection of weird and wonderful rock formations scattered over 50 acres of moorland owned by the National Trust

Coldstones Cut – Yorkshire’s biggest and highest public artwork on a monumental scale with viewpoints and a platform overlooking the working quarry

Masham – A traditional market town on the north eastern edge of the AONB boasting Yorkshire’s largest market square.

Nidderdale Llamas – Explore the AONB with a llama as your trekking companion.

Nidderdale Museum – An amazing collection of artefacts telling the story of life in Nidderdale.

Pateley Bridge – A small town in the heart of Nidderdale AONB Washburn Valley Reservoirs – Lindley Wood, Swinsty, Fewston and Thruscross reservoirs provide a beautiful area to visit and a haven for wildlife. The reservoirs are owned by Yorkshire Water. Walk routes and podcasts can be downloaded from the Yorkshire Water website.

Shopping and Restaurants

The picturesque market town of Pateley Bridge has a traditional mix of independent retail shops that populate its steep little High Street. Here you’ll find national award winning butchers, the Guinness accredited World’s oldest sweet shop, cosy cafes, tearooms and pubs – all offering a warm Dales welcome that has been the appeal for generations of visitors.

Schools and Colleges

There is a vast array of small village primary schools throughout Nidderdale as well as Nidderdale High School, located in Pateley Bridge. Most of Nidderdale is in the catchment area for the OFSTED rated “Outstanding” schools in Harrogate and Ripon, including Ripon Grammar School, Harrogate Grammar School and Outwood Academy.

Travel Connections

Most of the area is within an easy commute of the nearby Spa Town of Harrogate, Knaresboroughand Ripon. The local area offers a regular bus service into Harrogate 7  days a week.

The A59 is only a short distance away and offers easy access to Harrogate, Skipton and Leeds.