Yorkshire

Round Howe and Billy Bank Woods trail

River Swale meandering through Hudswell Woods — The River Swale | © Seb Mankelow

This trail explores the banks of the River Swale and the rough pasture behind Round Howe. The circular trail takes in fields of wild flowers, steep hills cloaked in historic woodland, and views of Richmond. It's perfect for families as there's open space for playing, plenty of places for riverside picnics, and prime spots for skimming stones.

Near to

Yorkshire Dales

Start point

Round Howe car park, Reeth Road, Richmond, DL10 4TJ. Grid ref: NZ159009

Rising water levels

The River Swale can rise very quickly after heavy rainfall. Its name comes from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Sualuae', which means 'rapid and liable to deluge' and it's been said that the Swale 'rushesh rather than runneth'.

Address
Round Howe car park, Reeth Road, Richmond, DL10 4TJ. Grid ref: NZ159009
Directions via Google Maps
By road
From Middlesbrough: Head west on the A66 for about 19 miles (30.5km), skirting past Darlington and joining the A1 heading south. Come off at junction 53, following Barracks Bank (A6108) towards Richmond. Carry on straight through Richmond to the top of the town and turn left following signs for Reeth Road Parking.
Dogs
Dogs on leads are welcome. There may be cattle grazing in the open grassland at certain times. Please be vigilant when walking near livestock, especially if they have young. Keep dogs on their leads and under control. If approached by cows move away quietly and if necessary let go of your dog's lead – the dog will outrun the cows.
Car park
The trail starts and ends at Round Howe car park, Reeth Road, which is pay and display (not National Trust).
Toilet
Public toilets can be found at Round Howe car park, for a small fee. Open daily.
Café
Cafés and tea rooms can be found in Richmond.
The route is level, but follows mainly grassy paths and goes through kissing gates. The paths can be wet and muddy after heavy rainfall, particularly in winter. Be aware that the river banks are steep in places and occasionally fall away from the path edge. The river can also rise quickly so take care after heavy rain.
Accessible toilet
Accessible toilet (requires a RADAR key) available at the public toilets in the Round Howe car park, Reeth Road, for a small fee. Open daily.
The trail follows mainly level, smooth terrain. Other than some surfaced track, it mainly follows open grassy paths. These can get wet and muddy in winter, particularly around the back of Round Howe.

Be aware that the river banks are steep in places and occasionally fall away from the path edge. The river can also rise quickly so take care after heavy rain.

There may be cattle grazing in the open grassland at certain times. Please be vigilant when walking near livestock, especially if they have young.
Total stages: 5
Total stages: 5
Start point
Round Howe car park, Reeth Road, Richmond, DL10 4TJ. Grid ref: NZ159009
Stage 1
Head south out of the car park and across the bridge over the River Swale before turning left through a gate at the far end. Continue along a rough surfaced path surrounded by trees, with the river on your left. You'll eventually emerge onto more open grassland.
Kingfisher in flight | © National Trust Images/Richard Bradshaw
Stage 2
Bear left along a grassy path. Keep the river on your left as you continue along the path that skirts the edge of the pasture along the riverside.
Stage 3
As the river takes a sharp right turn, you'll see a pebble beach in front of you. Standing with the pebble beach behind you, continue along the diagonal path that crosses the pasture to the woodland edge, where there's another kissing gate. Don't go through the gate.
Stage 4
Billy Bank Wood climbs steeply on your left. Don't enter the wood, but follow the footpath back through the pasture, keeping the wood and craggy cliffs on your left. Just before you rejoin the path on which you walked from the footbridge you can bear left and follow a smaller path branching to the south west, this sometimes muddy track follows the grassland and runs between Round Howe Wood (to the left) and Round Howe, the steep conical wooded hill on the right.
Stage 5
This path continues in the little valley around the steep-sided Round Howe through flowery grassland and alongside massive hazel trees that grow on old medieval field boundaries. You'll soon rejoin the riverside path. Cross back over the footbridge that will take you to the car park and the end of the trail.
End point
Round Howe car park, Reeth Road, Richmond, DL10 4TJ. Grid ref: NZ159009.
Trail map
Round Howe and Billy Bank Woods trail map | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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