Go down to the woods

Freeholders Wood (Aysgarth, Wensleydale)

Freeholders' Wood is a Local Nature Reserve (LNR) and is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). It consists of ancient semi-natural woodland, which means it has had tree cover since at least the year 1600.

Many species of plants have colonised the site over the centuries and in a very quiet moment you may see the roe deer, woodmice, shrews or even red squirrels, which have been recorded just once on the site so far, or listen to birdsong.

There is a woodland trail to take you through Freeholders and the wood runs alongside the famous Aysgarth Falls.

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Snaizeholme (Widdale, Wensleydale)

The red squirrel is the only native species of squirrel in the country, but it is now under serious threat from the larger grey squirrel. Snaizeholme is one of 16 Red Squirrel Reserve Woodlands in the north of England, set up to give red squirrels the best chance of long term survival.

The coniferous woodland is an ideal habitat for red squirrels and the public viewing area lies in the heart of the Widdale Red Squirrel Reserve and offers an excellent chance of getting superb views of the creatures.

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Grass Wood (Grassington, Wharfedale)

Grass Wood is a Nature Reserve and is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). The wood’s natural canopy of ash, wych elm, oak and hazel grows over a particularly species-rich ground flora - the best time to see it in flower is late spring and early summer.

It is a good place to see and hear woodland birds such as tree pippit, wood warbler, pied flycatcher and redstart and to see butterflies on dry, calm days. Small groups of roe deer can also be seen in the quieter parts of the wood.

There are several public rights of way and other tracks and paths running through Grass Wood. It is a short walk from the village of Grassington along the River Wharfe or via part of the Dales Way.

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Strid Wood (Bolton Abbey, Wharfedale)

Strid Wood and the Strid are part of the Bolton Abbey Estate and are a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Strid Wood is said to be one of the best places to see ancient semi-natural sessile oak woodland in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The wood is set either side of the River Wharfe as it runs through a steep sided valley.

Strid Wood is also one of the best places to see woodland mosses, liverworts, fungi, lichens, molluscs and birds in the National Park. It is the dramatic series of waterfalls and rapids on this part of the River Wharfe which are known as the Strid.

The Dales Way will take you through the wood, or there are a number of other footpaths you can follow.

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