Fearby Black Swan Walk

The Black Swan Pub Walk, Fearby B N O A “veteran” tree A k r a P

r n e o k t a n t i t i w h S W

Swinton Castle n a I

Carry on through the gate and turn left onto Features of local interest Distance: Short Loop: 3 miles Location: the road. Just past the buildings, immedi- Long Loop: 8 miles See ately turn right and follow the track towards Druids Temple Time: Short Loop: 1¼ hours This folly was commissioned by William on “Welcome Page” the footbridge. Once over the bridge, bear Long Loop: 4 hours left and walk along the track, with the stream Danby to relieve some of the unemployment Difficulty: Short Loop: Easy level walk with some stiles on the left. Go through the gate and carry in the area. He hoped it would look like a Long Loop: Moderate with some steep sections on along the track. miniature Stonehenge. It took 50 years to complete and was finished in the 1820s. Starting from the Black Swan at Fearby this delightful walk meanders through Before Lobley Hall, turn left and go through His workers were paid a shilling a day. beautiful countryside near Masham in rural North Yorkshire. the gate. Then, bear right towards the From the Temple you get sweeping views bridge. Go over the bridge and turn right west towards Leighton Reservoir in the Passing through sheltered wooded valleys there is a gradual climb towards the over the stile. Walk uphill and go over the valley bottom. historic folly of Druids Temple. Pause at this magical spot to enjoy sweeping views next stile. Once over, bear right onto the of Colsterdale and the Vale of York. On your return follow routes lined with ancient track. While in the middle of the field, bear Veteran Trees trees and hedgerows as you pass through the historic estate of Swinton. left and head towards the gate. Continue Trees dating back to the monastic period uphill and head towards the next gate. can still be found in the hedgerows and roadsides on the route. Very old trees are The Routes Go through the gate and head across the called 'veterans' and they have an important field to the white and green gate on the place in the history of our landscape. Many Short Loop right. Head across the field towards Stone- of these oak trees are over 500 years old fold Farm, and the next stile. Once over and have stood through many centuries of From the Black Swan turn left and follow the the stile, turn right in the farmyard. change. road. Just before the school turn left and follow the road. Continue past the footpath Again, turn right and walk down the farm Swinton Park sign until the wide track on the left. Turn track, go through the gate and bear right Swinton Park is the ancestral home of the onto the track and follow it until you meet a onto the road. Walk up the road and by the Cunliffe-Lister family. It is set in 200 acres road. Turn left onto the road. school, turn right and walk back to the pub. of parkland, lakes and gardens. Sir Abstrupus Danby founded the first After a short while you will see a footpath Pub Information residence here in 1695. In the 1760's, the sign on the left. Climb over the stile and parklands and a chain of 5 ornamental lakes walk towards the bottom right corner of the were created and in the 1800's the house The Black Swan is situated in the field. Go over the stile and then diagonally was turned into a “castle”. In 1882, Samuel beautiful village of Fearby in Nidderdale across the field until the next stile. Head Lister bought the park, and it is currently Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. towards the top corner of the field and go B owned by his great-great-great grandson. N over the stile. Once in the next field, look The river near Fearby O Overlooking the Burn Valley and the Vale A for another stile on the left. Go over it, and of York the pub is ideally placed in head straight across the field towards the fantastic countryside perfect for walking. next stile. Over the next stile, cross the stile, follow the track. Midway up the field Serving traditional ales, home cooked bar field. Go through the gate and turn left onto turn left and cut through the small wooded meals as well as food in the restaurant, the road. Follow the road back to the pub. area into the next field. you are spoilt for choice. The heated garden patio overlooks the play area Long Loop Bear right and continue to follow the track. allowing parents the opportunity to relax Keep the wooded area on the right and go when the children are enjoying them- From the Black Swan turn left and follow through the next gate. Continue to follow selves. The holiday park offers an the road. Just before the school turn left the track and go over the fence. Turn right r

opportunity for visitors to extend their stay. e l l and follow the road past the Swinton Saw up the road until you get to the car park. u F

There are static caravans and a cottage .

Mill and over the stream. Walk uphill and Go through the car park and follow the track R

for hire and touring caravans and tents © then turn right towards Broadmires. Carry after the barriers up to Druids Temple. are welcome. on through the farm and go through the Barn Owls gate at the end of the yard. Head towards Return back to the car park and follow the t: 01765 689477 Barn Owls are one of Britain's favourite the wooded area. Go through the gate road you came up. Opposite the path you a: Black Swan, Fearby, Masham, Ripon, birds. Incredibly graceful in flight and and follow the track. came from you will find a stile on the right North Yorkshire, HG4 4NF. superb hunters they are a spectacular sight hand side of the road. Go over the stile and w: blackswanholiday.co.uk Continue on the track and go through the if you are fortunate enough to see one. follow the track to the right of the house, and e: [email protected] next two gates. Carry on through woods on go through the gate and bear left. Go over The rough grassland, trees and hedgerows the right and keep following the track, up the stile and head down the hill, while keep- Opening Times: Daily: 12.00-23.00 around Fearby is ideal habitat for Barn the field. Just before the wood, almost ing the wall on the left-hand side. At the Food Served: Bar Meals: Wed-Sun: Owls. You are most likely to spot one at double back on yourself and go up the hill. bottom, turn left and go through the gate. 12.00-15.00 either dawn or dusk when they are out Go over the stile and head across the next Walk along the track, keeping the wooded Restaurant: Wed-Sat: 18.30-21.00 hunting for their favourite foods - mice, field towards the ladder stile. Once over the area on the right. Sun: 17.30-20.00 shrews and voles.