Beningbrough River Walk
A fantastic circular walk with great sweeping views across the parkland and majestic views of the hall in the distance. Taking in the river, woodlands and the wider estate, do the whole loop enjoying the many different views onto Beningbrough. There’s lots of potential to see different wildlife on this walk too, making it a great option for all the family to get out and engage with the great outdoors.
Good to know
For your safety and to protect the cattle and calves, please stay on the footpaths and avoid roaming across the fields. Aberdeen Angus cattle can be seen in the parkland for much of the year. They belong to the tenant farmer who also runs the farm shop and cafe. Take care when the cows are in the fields and please be aware the bull may be there too.
Map
Start:
Beningbrough Hall car park
1
Starting with Beningbrough's visitor entrance behind you, head to the bottom right of the car park to the gate. Go through the gate and follow the path along towards the farm shop. Carry on to the left leaving the farm shop behind you, heading along the tarmac road.
2
Turn right onto the exit road, as this is one of the main driveways into Beningbrough, please take extra care for passing cars. Follow the road until you reach a wooded area with a metal gate on your right. Head through the gate, following the path through the woodland, (if you reach Beningbrough Lodge and the exit gate, you’ve gone too far).
Spring bluebells
This area of woodland is transformed by beautiful bluebells in the spring.
3
Turn right onto the public pathway and head down the hill, through the woods. Beningbrough’s Home Farm can be seen across the fields on your right.
Nature hurdles
The nature hurdles along this path have been created to provide shelter for small animals like hedgehogs to hide in, as well as a place for birds to nest. In addition to providing a natural wind break, bugs and beetles and other insects thrive on the dead wood, making it an ideal habitat for them to enjoy.
4
At the bottom of the hill, there are two gates, close together. Go right through both gates picking up the river path. If you turn left here, you will be heading to Beningbrough village and eventually York. Keep right to complete a circular route of the estate.
5
Continue along the river bank – this is the only area not fenced from the cattle along the route. You can catch glimpses of the hall on your right as you carry on along the route.
River traffic
As you reach the river there’s lots of wildlife to potentially catch sight of. Look out for speedy sand martins darting in and out of nests along the river bank in spring. In early summer, salmon can be spotted swimming up river to spawn in the Dales. You might catch sight of or hear an oystercatcher, curlew, kingfisher, green woodpecker or grey heron anywhere along the river. Really lucky walkers can even spot otters.
6
You will reach a small sandy area where the River Nidd joins the River Ouse, follow the path round to the right. This is a great spot to enjoy views back towards the hall.
Tansy Beetle
The once common iridescent green beetle is now relatively rare and the River Ouse is quite possibly its most northerly location in the UK. As its name implies, it relies on the tansy plant for food and shelter. There are protected areas along the river where the tansy colonies live. You can find more information on the tansy beetle from the Tansy Beetle Action Group.
7
Keep going past the Victorian Water Tower (that used to bring water to the hall and the skating pond) continuing along the path.
8
When the path splits giving you the choice to keep left along the riverbank, or right up towards Newton village, select the right-hand path.
9
Before you reach the village, look out for the small gate on the right-hand side. With Newton Lodge on your left-hand side, cross over the entrance driveway into the woodland opposite and follow the bark mulch pathway through the woods.
10
Keeping to the right, clearing the woods, follow the path along the edge of the fields. Look out for the frame with views back to the hall.
11
Following the path, you will come to first a small pond on your left quickly followed by a picnic area.
12
Having passed the picnic area, head through the gate leading out onto the concrete path which leads up to a gate with the road and entrance to Home Farm on the other side.
13
Go through the gate, cross the exit road and follow the sign towards the Farm Shop, retracing your steps back to the car park.
End:
Beningbrough Hall car park
