Walk Information
Lying just to the north of Leeds, the parkland and woods of the Harewood House Estate offers a number of well-trekked paths. This walk follows the most popular route in the area, using public bridleways and a permissive path to circumnavigate the estate, avoiding the crowds drawn to the house and other attractions.
Is This Walk For Me?
A short walk, this is generally unchallenging. There are quite a few ups-and-downs but none of the slopes are particularly steep or long. A good portion of the route is on tarmac tracks, so most surfaces are good. Muddy stretches are possible at Direction Points 3 and 4. There are no stiles on route. The permissive path taken at Direction Point 4 is subject to occasional closure. Cattle may be grazing in the open parkland sections.
Getting There
The recommended starting point is the Harewood village hall where there is a small carpark (modest fee). An alternative starting point is the roadside parking alongside Wike Lane (Direction Point 4). Harewood is 21 miles from York, taking the B1224 to the edge of Wetherby then following the A58 to Collingham and the A659. At the traffic lights in Harewood, go right for the village hall carpark (for the Wike Lane parking area turn left for about one mile). The best public transport option is to travel by train to Harrogate then take the frequent no.36 bus from the adjacent bus station to Harewood.
Refreshments
There are two options in Harewood, the Harewood Arms on the main road, and the highly recommended Muddy Boots café on Church Lane by the carpark.
What To See
The main attraction of this walk is the landscaped parkland of the Harewood Estate. There are good views over the park to Harewood House from Direction Point 3 and over the Wharfe valley from Direction Point 1. Red and fallow deer can be seen grazing in the park and there is a wealth of wildlife, especially red kites which can regularly be seen flying low over the village. The woodland, especially after Direction Point 5, has a good display of bluebells in spring.
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Directions
1. Starting from the village hall, turn right and continue ahead on the tarmac public bridleway between the walls. (If you are arriving by bus, cross the road and walk back in the Harrogate direction for about 100 metres, then turn left into Church Lane). Keep ahead at a cattle grid with a grassy slope now on the right. Follow the tarmac downhill to a track junction and signpost.
2. Turn left, still following the main tarmac track, up a slope. Go through a gate by a cattle grid (walking downhill between buildings). Follow the track through a further gate, now concrete, over a bridge. As you keep ahead, you’ll find yourself back on the tarmac with a house to your right. At a fork in the path, keep right on the signed bridleway continuing to a gate. Go through but, in about 75 metres, turn right (bridleway sign) continuing to buildings (Carr House). Go through the gate to the right. This will take you uphill on a rougher track into trees. About 200 metres up the track, do not go ahead, but, when you reach a telegraph pole, hairpin left. This will take you to a track that appears to be sunken initially but soon reaches a track crossroads.
3. Turn left (Leeds Country Way sign). Now keep on this track through trees, dipping only to cross a stream, then follow it left downhill. At a track junction, again turn left, but in a further 100 metres turn right, (following signs) over a bridge to reach a gate. Through this, keep ahead and follow the roughly surfaced track uphill through some parkland. Stay on the clear track for approximately 1200 metres, until you approach a house with metal gates.
4. Just before the house, turn left and take the permissive track through two gates into the woodland of Wall Side Plantation. (If starting from the Wike Lane parking area, cross the main road, go through the metal gate, and turn almost immediately right to take the permissive path). Continue ahead on the clear track through the trees. You should ignore all ways off and keep both the road and the wall within 75-150 metres of your right. Eventually, with a gate ahead, turn right (‘path’ sign) into trees towards an abandoned stone building. You will find a gate in the wall.
5. Go through the gate and turn left on the narrow roadside pavement. Keep on the main road at the traffic lights passing the Harewood Arms pub. About 50 metres beyond this, turn left into Church Lane to return to the start (if returning by bus to Harrogate the bus stop is opposite the pub).
Please note: Walks are undertaken at your own risk. Due care must be taken in following the walk, particularly after poor weather. Whilst every care is taken in compiling the description, some changes may have occurred since publication. Neither the walk author nor Your Local Link can accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions.
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