Nidd Gorge

Address

Bilton Banks Knaresborough North Yorkshire

Nestling between Harrogate and Knaresborough, the woodland, which dates back to at least 1600, is actually made up of five woods, Coalpits Wood, Bilton Banks, Spring Wood, Scotton Banks and Gates Wood.A local conservation site, the valley woodlands and the surrounding agricultural land are a magnet for local residents, walkers and fishermen.All are drawn to a landscape sculpted by the River Nidd whose waters have rushed around the rocky bends and shallows of this imposing landmark since the last Ice Age when it cut a 120ft gorge through the soft sandstone.History has left its mark on Nidd Gorge.At Gates Hill, in the Scotton Banks section of the woodland, now overgrown, is a defensive earthwork where local legend says Colonel Fairfax mounted defence cannon for the siege of Knaresborough during the Civil War.Coalpits Wood, south of the river, retains the remnants of bellpits where coal was once excavated.Most of the oak woods on the Nidd’s southern banks had been cleared by World War ll and the area is now dominated by broadleaf coppice regrowth with some regenerating sycamore though the area still has a natural feel to it.The northern bank is a mixture of conifers and mixed broadleaves.Today the gorge nurtures more than 80 species of birds and 30 different kinds of mammals, reptiles and amphibians.Bats, roe deer, tawny owls, herons and spotted and green woodpeckers are just some of the inhabitants of the five woods.Ninety-one species of fungi have been identified in the gorge including puffballs, cup fungi, jelly and bracket fungi.There are numerous plants and flowers, which can only be found in ancient woodland, among them nine species of fern, dog’s mercury, wild garlic and bluebells. Read more

Behind the scenes of  Things To Do

Fodder adapts to keep serving its customers
Food & Drink Producers
14th Apr 2020
Fodder adapts to keep serving its customers icon

Fodder adapts to keep serving its customers

Fodder is here for you during these difficult times and we are proud to serve you and support our...

Summer Heroes at Beningbrough Hall Gardens
Family Attractions
27th Jul 2022
Summer Heroes at Beningbrough Hall Gardens icon

Summer Heroes at Beningbrough Hall Gardens

Stop and take time to look Summer is such a busy time in the garden it’s easy to forget...

The colourful world of Jonathan Moseley
Garden Attractions
21st Jul 2021
The colourful world of Jonathan Moseley icon

The colourful world of Jonathan Moseley

International Floral Designer, Jonathan Moseley told us what flowers mean to him. 

Loading...

Loading entries...

More  Things To Do businesses

Harewood House
Things To Do

Harewood House

Valley Gardens, Harrogate
Things To Do

Valley Gardens, Harrogate

Bebra Gardens, Knaresborough
Things To Do

Bebra Gardens, Knaresborough

Ripon Workhouse & Garden...
Things To Do

Ripon Workhouse & Garden...

Yorkshire Appetite Food Tours...
Things To Do

Yorkshire Appetite Food Tours...

Yorkshire Appetite Food Tours
Things To Do

Yorkshire Appetite Food Tours

Markenfield Hall
Things To Do

Markenfield Hall

Farm Adventure
Things To Do

Farm Adventure

Beningbrough - National Trust
Things To Do

Beningbrough - National Trust

Loading...

Loading entries...