Woodland walks in North Yorkshire

Beautiful bluebells

Many of North Yorkshire’s woods come alive in May with colourful bluebells. These delicate wildflowers create a carpet of blue across woodland floors adding to their enchanting nature.

Hackfall, an ancient woodland near Masham, is a lovely destination to head to and capture this stunning spring display. Here you can find bluebells near to the stone follies and grottos that make these woods a magical place to visit. There are four entrance points and as you explore you pass waterfalls, a lake and the ruins of Mowbray Castle.

Ash and elm trees grow here alongside ferns, red campion and primrose and the woodland is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). Look out for chaffinches, woodpeckers, ospreys and butterflies.

The woodland of the Nidd Gorge near Knaresborough is another great location for bluebells.

The Gorge is easily accessed from Knaresborough or from the edge of Harrogate. The River Nidd winds its way through the heart of the Gorge, and you can follow its course along the many footpaths and boardwalks that criss-cross the woods. Many of the trees close to the river are broadleaved alders.

Other plants to look for include foxglove and wood anemone. Take in the pungent aroma of the wild garlic which grows in abundance in spring and summer. Herons, kingfishers, woodpeckers and tawny owls make their home here as well as stoats and badgers.

Skipton Castle Woods is an ancient woodland next to Skipton Castle. Choose one of the circular walks through the woods passing ash, hornbeam and sycamore trees as you go and look for the many flowering plants that flourish in the woodland including rare orchids, buttercups and bluebells.

Buzzards and red kites swoop above, and you may also see kingfishers, deer and bats if you take an evening walk.

Nature Reserves

Walk through a woodland of cherry, oak and ash trees as you explore Little Beck Wood Nature Reserve near Whitby. The Little Beck runs through the site so try to spot dippers near the water’s edge and look out for woodpeckers and treecreepers too.

The bounty of flora includes wood anemone, bluebells and purple orchids in spring and summer and many varieties of fungi in autumn.

Chafer Wood Nature Reserve near Pickering has many bluebells, ferns and mosses on display and is home to roe deer and woodpeckers as well as many other bird and plant species.

Discover more on our woodland page and explore other woods including the Pinewoods, Raincliffe Woods and Fishpond Wood.