NIDDERDALE NATIONAL LANDSCAPE
Things to do in
Pateley Bridge
From extraordinary rock formations and underground caves to award-winning museums and historic abbeys - Nidderdale punches well above its weight for things to see and do. Here is our pick of the best.
Outdoors
Brimham Rocks
Extraordinary millstone grit formations on the moor
A National Trust property 3 miles east of Pateley Bridge, where millions of years of erosion have left 50+ named rock formations balanced in seemingly impossible positions. Easy walking on well-maintained paths with sweeping Nidderdale views.
Free to explore with NT car park
📍Brimham Rocks, Summerbridge, Harrogate HG3 4DW
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How Stean Gorge
Yorkshire's Little Switzerland
An 80ft limestone gorge near Lofthouse, 10 minutes up the dale. Metal walkways and bridges cut into the rock face let you walk the full length of the gorge. Tom Taylor's Cave, the rope bridge and the on-site cafe make this a full half-day out. Thrilling for all ages.
Rope bridge and cave included in entry
📍How Stean Gorge, Lofthouse, Harrogate HG3 5SF
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Stump Cross Caverns
Half a million years underground
A remarkable cave system on Greenhow Hill, just 10 minutes from Pateley Bridge, with guided tours through passages of stalactites and stalagmites. The visitor centre tells the story of the prehistoric cave bears and hyenas whose bones were found here.
Guided tours, visitor centre and gift shop
📍Stump Cross Caverns, Greenhow Hill, Harrogate HG3 5JL
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Coldstones Cut
Land art with 360-degree Dales views
A James Turrell-influenced land art sculpture on the summit of Greenhow Hill. The cut frames the sky and distant moors dramatically. Free to visit - a short walk from a roadside car park on the B6265, with one of the finest panoramic views across Nidderdale you will find.
Free entry, short walk from car park
📍Coldstones Cut, Greenhow Hill, Harrogate HG3 5JQ
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Gouthwaite Reservoir
World-class birdwatching in the upper dale
A Site of Special Scientific Interest renowned for wading birds and, in season, osprey sightings. The flat track walk along the old Nidd Valley Light Railway line follows the western shore for 3 miles - easy, peaceful and full of wildlife.
Osprey sightings in spring and summer
📍Gouthwaite Reservoir, Wath, Pateley Bridge HG3 5PS
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Ingleton Waterfalls Trail
Four waterfalls in two river gorges
A 4.5-mile circular walk through the gorges of the Rivers Twiss and Doe, past four spectacular waterfalls including Thornton Force - one of the most photographed falls in the Dales. About 45 minutes from Pateley Bridge via Skipton.
Walk behind Thornton Force waterfall
📍Ingleton Village Car Park, LA6 3DT
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Ingleborough Cave
Show cave near Clapham, Yorkshire Dales
One of the finest show caves in the Yorkshire Dales, reached by a beautiful mile-long walk through Clapdale nature reserve. Guided tours through ancient stalactites and underground river passages. Dog friendly outside. 50 minutes from Pateley Bridge.
Ancient stalactites and cave pearls
📍Near Clapham, North Yorkshire LA2 8EE
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Himalayan Garden & Sculpture Park
45-acre garden with sculpture - 15 mins from Pateley Bridge
A stunning 45-acre garden in a wooded valley near Grewelthorpe, with Himalayan-inspired planting around an ornamental lake and a changing exhibition of contemporary sculpture. RHS Partner Garden. Open April to November, Thursday to Sunday. Dogs welcome.
RHS Members free in September and October
📍Grewelthorpe, Ripon HG4 3DA
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Dalby Forest
World-class mountain biking and red squirrels
Three thousand acres of managed forest on the North Yorkshire Moors with purpose-built mountain bike trails (all grades), walking routes, Go Ape treetop adventure and one of the best chances in England to see red squirrels. About 1 hour from Pateley Bridge.
Red squirrels - one of the best spots in England
📍Low Dalby, Pickering YO18 7LT
View our guideHeritage
Nidderdale Museum
Award-winning local history, from cobbler to Victorian parlour
11 themed rooms on King Street tell the story of Nidderdale life across the centuries - a Victorian parlour, a cobbler's workshop, a schoolroom, and displays on lead mining, the railway and the dale's heritage. Free for children.
Free for under-16s
📍King Street, Pateley Bridge HG3 5LE
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Fountains Abbey
UNESCO World Heritage Site, 12 miles away
The largest Cistercian ruin in Britain, set within the formal water gardens of Studley Royal. A full day out - the abbey, the deer park, the medieval mill and one of the finest garden landscapes in England. We have a dedicated guide.
National Trust - free for members
📍Fountains, Ripon HG4 3DY
View our guidePateley Bridge Playhouse
Victorian theatre with year-round productions
The Playhouse on Church Street has been staging productions for over a century. Dramas, comedies and pantomimes run throughout the year - check the website for the current programme.
Pantomime every winter
📍Church Street, Pateley Bridge HG3 5LH
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Kiplin Hall & Gardens
Jacobean house built by the founder of Maryland
A beautiful Jacobean country house near Richmond with 35 acres of lakeside grounds. Built in the 1620s by George Calvert, who founded the American state of Maryland. Open April to October with guided house tours and peaceful lakeside garden walks.
American colonial history connection
📍Kiplin Hall, near Scorton, Richmond DL10 6AT
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RHS Garden Harlow Carr
58 acres in Harrogate with Bettys tearoom on site
One of the finest gardens in the north, 25 minutes from Pateley Bridge. Woodland, streamside planting, a kitchen garden and a rose garden - beautiful in every season. Bettys tearoom in a glasshouse on site makes this a genuinely special day out.
Bettys tearoom on site
📍Crag Lane, Harrogate HG3 1QB
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Wensleydale Railway
Heritage railway through one of the finest dales
A heritage railway running from Leeming Bar through Bedale, Leyburn and Wensley to Redmire at the foot of Bolton Castle. Seasonal timetable with special services including cream teas on board. 45 minutes from Pateley Bridge to Leyburn.
Bolton Castle a 20-minute walk from Redmire
📍Leyburn Station, Leyburn DL8 5ET
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Theakston Brewery, Masham
Brewing legends since 1827 - home of Old Peculier
An independent family brewery in Masham's magnificent market square. Guided tours through Victorian brewing vessels, the chance to watch the last working cooper in Yorkshire, and the full Theakston range in the on-site tap room. 20 minutes from Pateley Bridge.
The last working cooper in Yorkshire
📍The Brewery, Masham, Ripon HG4 4YD
View our guideFamily
Bewerley Park Outdoor Education Centre
Adventure activities for groups and families
Set in the valley just outside Pateley Bridge, Bewerley Park runs activity days including canoeing, abseiling, orienteering and climbing for school groups and families. Worth contacting in advance to book.
Great for school groups and family activity days
📍Bewerley Park, Pateley Bridge HG3 5JB
View moreCycle hire and family cycling
Gentle valley floor routes for all ages
The valley floor between Pateley Bridge and Glasshouses follows quiet lanes and the old railway track - flat enough for children on bikes and suitable for most family cyclists. Cycle hire is available in the area and several routes connect to the Nidderdale Greenway.
Flat, traffic-free sections suitable for young children
📍Starting from Pateley Bridge town centre
View moreRiver Nidd - paddling and picnics
The town's own paddling spot
The Recreation Ground stretch of the River Nidd is shallow, pebbly and perfect for paddling on a warm day. Pack a picnic, bring a blanket and let younger children explore the riverbank while dogs splash in the shallows.
Free, no booking needed
📍Recreation Ground, Pateley Bridge HG3 5LG
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The Forbidden Corner
Unique labyrinth, tunnels and follies in Coverdale
A one-of-a-kind garden labyrinth with underground tunnels, water features, follies and theatrical surprises in a private estate in Coverdale. Pre-booking essential. One of the most original attractions in England and genuinely unmissable for families. 40 minutes via Masham.
Pre-booking essential - sells out in advance
📍Tupgill Park, Coverdale, Middleham DL8 4TJ
View our guideVillages
Grassington
20 minutes - a proper Dales market town
The most visited village in the Yorkshire Dales and easy to see why - a cobbled market square, independent shops, galleries and cafes, with the moors rising above. Also the main filming location for the ITV drama set in Herriot country.
Famous cobbled market square
📍Grassington, Skipton BD23 5AD
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Masham
20 minutes - home of Theakston and Black Sheep
A handsome market town on the edge of the Dales with a large market square and two famous visitor breweries - Theakston and Black Sheep. Both offer tours and have their own bars serving ales in historic surroundings.
Two brewery visitor experiences in one town
📍Masham, Ripon HG4 4EF
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Skipton
30 minutes - medieval castle and great market
One of the finest market towns in the north with a magnificent medieval castle at its head. The castle is one of the most complete in England - open daily with free audio guide. The canal basin, cobbled High Street and market days make Skipton an excellent full-day destination.
One of England's most complete medieval castles
📍Skipton, North Yorkshire BD23 1AQ
View our guideRipon
15 minutes - a cathedral city with a medieval market square
One of England's smallest cities, with a magnificent cathedral dating to 672 AD. The market square hosts markets several days a week and the city has excellent museums including the Prison and Police Museum. Worth combining with a trip to Fountains Abbey just outside.
Cathedral and Fountains Abbey in one trip
📍Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 1BP
View morePLAN YOUR VISIT
Not sure how to get here?
Pateley Bridge is 14 miles from Harrogate via the B6165. Bus 24 runs from Harrogate bus station. We have a full transport guide.