Pateley Bridge Woodland Wander

This walk is the perfect wander for every season.

Immerse yourself in the ancient managed woodland of Fishpond Woods, keeping an eye out for different tree species. Can you spot birch, oak, alder, wild cherry, beech and sycamore trees? What colour and shape are their leaves at this time of year?

You can download the trail on Google Maps at the bottom of this page, or follow the directions below.

Turn left out of Wildish on Pateley High Street, walk to the bottom of the hill and take the footpath over the bridge. With the play park on your right-hand side, continue straight on, crossing the road, up the hill towards the Royal Oak pub.

Take the road to the left, and continue up the hill until you reach Bewerley.

Make your way through the village, passing the village green on your left, and continue along the road until you reach a small iron gate set into the wall on the right-hand side. This is the entrance to Fishpond Woods.

Enter through the gate and explore the wood - make sure you stick to the footpaths to help protect nature and preserve this ancient woodland.

Once you’ve finished exploring, retrace your steps back to Pateley Bridge or continue your adventure into local woodlands by heading to Skrikes Wood or Guise Cliff.

Things to look out for:

In early spring, you can spot (and smell) wild garlic.

Late spring brings patches of bluebells to the wood.

Mushrooms and fungi pop up in autumn. Don’t touch or try to pick any of them!

There’s plenty of wildlife to spot in and around the pond all year round, including ducks, frogs, fish, herons, rabbits, woodpeckers and more.

Find out more about Fishpond Woods at https://whitewoodswellbeing.co.uk/woodland-restoration/