Skip to content
View of the River Ouse at Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens, North Yorkshire
A view of the River Ouse at Beningbrough Hall, Gallery and Gardens, North Yorkshire | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor
Yorkshire

Beningbrough river and woodland walk

Follow the yellow way-markers on this circular walk from 18th-century Beningbrough Hall, through woods and along the River Ouse, with sweeping views across the estate and the chance to spot a wide range of wildlife.

Please avoid the fields

For your safety and to protect cattle and calves, please stay on the footpaths and avoid roaming across the fields. Take care when the cows are in the fields as the bull may be there too.

Total steps: 13

Total steps: 13

Start point

Beningbrough Hall car park, YO30 1DD. Grid ref: SE518585

Step 1

Start in the car park. With your back to Visitor Reception, head diagonally towards the gate in the far-right corner. Go through the gate and follow the path towards Home Farm. With the farm on your right, continue left along the tarmac road.

Step 2

Turn right onto the exit road. As this is one of the main driveways into Beningbrough, please be extra careful of 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 woods. If you reach Beningbrough Lodge and the exit gate, you’ve gone too far.

Bluebells in the woods at Beningbrough Hall, North Yorkshire
Bluebells in the woods at Beningbrough, North Yorkshire | © National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Step 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.

Step 4

At the bottom of the hill there are two gates, close together. Go straight through and pick up the river path. If you turn left here, you'll be heading to Beningbrough village and eventually York. Keep right to complete a circular route of the estate.

Step 5

Continue along the river bank – this is the only area on the route not fenced off from cattle. On your right, you can catch glimpses of the hall.

A close up of a kingfisher with a fish in its mouth perched on a branch
A kingfisher with its catch | © National Trust Images/Richard Bradshaw

Step 6

You'll reach a small sandy area where the River Nidd joins the River Ouse – a great spot to enjoy views back towards the hall. From here, follow the path round to the right.

Close up of a shiny green beetle
Meet the rare tansy beetle at Beningbrough | © National Trust / Joanne Parker

Step 7

Keep going past the Victorian Water Tower, which used to bring water to the hall and the skating pond, and continue along the path.

Step 8

When the path splits, giving you the choice to keep going left along the riverbank or right up towards Newton village, take the right-hand path.

Step 9

Before you reach the village, look out for a small gate to your right. With Newton Lodge on your left, cross over the entrance driveway into the woodland opposite and follow the bark mulch pathway through the trees.

Step 10

Keeping to the right, you'll come out of the woods. Follow the path along the edge of the fields. Look out for the frame with views back to the hall.

Step 11

Continuing along the path, you'll come to a small pond on your left quickly followed by a picnic area.

Step 12

Past the picnic area, head through the gate leading out onto the concrete path. This leads up to another gate, with the road, and the entrance to Home Farm, on the other side.

Step 13

Go through the gate, cross the exit road and follow the sign towards Home Farm, retracing your steps back to the car park.

End point

Beningbrough Hall car park, YO30 1DD. Grid ref: SE518585

Trail map

Map of the circular river walk at Beningbrough, North Yorkshire
The circular river walk at Beningbrough, North Yorkshire | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey

You made it

Share your experience

More near here

Rows of daffodils in the foreground with a large hall in the distance
Place
Place

Beningbrough 

Art exhibitions, history, and evolving gardens in the Yorkshire countryside

York, North Yorkshire

Partially open today
Dog walking in bluebell woodland at Hatchlands Park, Surrey
Trail
Trail

Beningbrough woodland Larch walk 

Discover a woodland walk that's just the right length for all ages. Listen out for bird song, take a detour to the medieval pike ponds and, in spring, enjoy a carpet of bluebells.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)
A visitor with three dogs on a lead stands by a waymark post in winter woodland
Trail
Trail

Beningbrough Newton walk 

This picturesque route through parkland and woodland includes two options to extend your walk: going further into the woods and taking in the historic village of Newton-on-Ouse.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.9 (km: 3.04)

Get in touch

Beningbrough, York, North Yorkshire, YO30 1DD

Our partners

Cotswold Outdoor

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website 

You might also be interested in

Four black cows grazing on a sunny day with trees in the background at Beningbrough Hall
Article
Article

The parkland at Beningbrough 

The 380 acres of parkland at Beningbrough offer the chance to stretch your legs and reconnect with nature, as well as being home to wildlife including birds, rare bats and the iridescent tansy beetle. Park for free in the visitor car park before heading out on one of the routes.

Lots of brightly coloured tulips in the foreground with a path through a hedge and corner of a red bricked hall behind
Article
Article

Things to see in the garden at Beningbrough 

Discover the formal gardens, walled kitchen garden, herbaceous borders and wildlife areas, each with its own style and beauty. Find out more about this RHS partner garden in Yorkshire.

Three visitors and a small dog sit around a bench outside, enjoying hot drinks at Castle Drogo, Devon
Article
Article

Eating and shopping at Beningbrough 

Choose from a range of tasty snacks and drinks at Beningbrough's two eateries, and find out where to refuel with your dogs. Stop off at the stables shop to find a range of gifts inspired by the places we care for.

Small dog looking happy on grass on a lead with owners feet and legs visible
Article
Article

Visiting Beningbrough with your dog 

Bring your dog to Beningbrough and you'll both have a great day out on one of Yorkshire's finest estates. Here are some ideas to help you get the most out of your visit. Beningbrough is a three pawprint rated place.

Visitors walking around the ruins at Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, Yorkshire

Walking in Yorkshire 

Discover some of the best walks in Yorkshire, from rugged Pennine beauty spots to parkland and meadows perfect for a family stroll.

A group of people in a hiking group are being guided on a hike by rangers at Marsden Moor, West Yorkshire
Article
Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner 

Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.

An aerial view of an adult and baby walking a dog along a path at Baggy Point, Devon
Article
Article

Staying safe at National Trust places 

The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.