The Swinton Estate

1 mile from Masham

The Swinton Estate is a private estate owned by the Cunliffe-Lister family since the 1880s and is the ancestral seat of the Earl of Swinton. It extends to 20,000 acres of beautiful countryside that stretches west from Masham and includes large areas of what was the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, (now rebranded the Nidderdale National Landscape).

A working rural estate – it also includes the Swinton Park Hotel, Swinton Country Club & Spa, Swinton Cookery School, Swinton Bivouac glamping site and café. All operated by the Cunliffe-Lister family. The hotel’s 200 acres of natural parkland gardens are also open to the public and host a variety of activities from archery to paddle boarding and wild swimming.

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Hackfall Woods

2.5 miles from Masham

Hackfall Woods known locally simply as “Hackfall”, is neither woodland wilderness, nor garden. It’s a 200 acre Woodland Trust site packed with ancient trees. It looks completely natural, but it’s actually a landscape shaped by John Aislabie of Studley Royal, who bought Hackfall in 1731. His son William, worked to transform the wood into an ornamental landscape that would appear completely natural to the visitor. Situated in a deep gorge on the river Ure, views were “curated” to reveal both the built features and the natural panorama.

Hackfall is managed by The Woodland Trust. Access is free and the walk into the gorge from the car park is quite steep but well worth it!

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Druids Temple at Swinton Bivouac

4.5 miles from Masham

The striking Druid’s Temple at Swinton Bivouac is a beautiful little folly.

It is a collection of standing stones that certainly don’t date back to the Druids. It is believed to have been created in the late 1700s by William Danby, at a time when the emerging Romantic period brought much interest in Druidism. Today it provides an atmospheric and romantic location to explore. There are also numerous stone formations to be found around the woodland with fabulous elevated view, walks and bike trails to explore.

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Lucy Pittaway Sycamore Gap Trail at Druids Temple

4.5 miles from Masham

Situated in the woodland at the Druids Temple at Swinton Bivouac, you’ll find a new woodland trail. The unauthorised felling of the famous tree at Sycamore Gap in Northumberland led to public outrage in September 2023. Renowned Yorkshire-based artist Lucy Pittaway created a stunning image of the tree in her iconic style, with the funds raised from the sale of each print, contributing to the planting of a tree in replacement. Those trees are planted at Druids Temple.

More than 1000 trees have now been planted and a short trail has been created. Walkers can follow a pathway formed by chippings from larch trees that were victims of larch dieback. The walk is evolving and will feature natural artistic installations, areas to relax, and education boards.

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Lime Tree Observatory & Planetarium

2 miles from Masham

Located on Lime Tree Farm, Lime Tree Observatory was opened in 2016 and hosts astronomical events using its 50-year-old, 24 inch (600mm) reflecting telescope, combined with a range of smaller amateur telescopes that provide excellent views of the night sky. The new immersive planetarium theatre allows you to view a simulated universe without use of the observatory, should the weather dictate.

This not-for-profit enterprise is a rare treat, but access is by pre-booking only. It has been developed by volunteers who can run private events from 1 to 25 people, and each visit is tailored to the group. Other events, open to all, are organised on behalf of the Nidderdale National Landscape and booked via their website. Find out more information about how to book here.

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Some Traces of Our Past...

If traces of the past pique your interest, we have a few local historic remains to recommend…

Just down the road, it doesn’t get much more historic than Thornborough Henges. Pictured above (photo courtesy of English Heritage), Thornborough Henges is now recognised as one of the most important prehistoric sites in the UK, but little visited till recently, as the site was privately owned.

This cluster of three huge Neolithic monuments were constructed 4,500 years ago. There are three circular earthwork enclosures, or henges, each over 200m in diameter with banks that would originally have stood 4m in height and been plastered in bright white gypsum. You can stand and imagine how the massive structure would have dominated the landscape for miles. The henges would have been used to gather for ceremonies and rituals for at least 2,000 years and were important into the early Bronze Age. Until very recently, the site was privately owned. In 2024, English Heritage finally acquired the final, northern henge. This means public access to this amazing site is assured and in the coming years, the richness of information about the site can be developed.

Moving forward in history to the Middle Ages, a short drive from Masham at West Tanfield, is the historic gem of The Marmion Tower, above. In 1314, knight John Marmion who lived at this site, a key river crossing, decided that he wanted a grander and better protected home, so he added fortifications to look like a castle. The original house of Tanfield Castle is gone, but the Marmion Tower was the gatehouse and is well worth a wander. Ownership included the brother of Catherine Parr, the 6th and final wife of Henry VIII. Catherine herself was held hostage by Catholic rebels at Snape Castle, just down the road, prior to her marriage to Henry.

Snape Castle, was built sometime between 1425 and 1430 by George Neville. Cecily Neville, mother of Richard III, and Queen Anne, his wife, lived at Snape Castle during the 15th century. Catherine Parr, the sixth wife of Henry VIII, also lived at Snape Castle in the years before becoming Henry’s wife. Catherine was married to John Neville and she and her two children were taken hostage by a mob of Catholic rebels during “The Pilgrimage of Grace”. Snape Castle is closed to the public but can be viewed from the road. On the Castle’s south side is St. Mary’s Chapel, where Catherine Parr is said to have married John Neville.

Masham’s connections to the Leeds Pals battalion in the First World War is commemorated by The Leeds Pals Memorial in Colsterdale. It reminds us that at the outbreak of war, thousands of men flocked to join the army, and many friends, colleagues and families were encouraged to volunteer forming “Pals” Battalions. The Leeds “Pals” needed a training ground and the Breary Banks camp in Colsterdale, with huts that had housed construction workers for the building of the reservoirs, was available. The first “Pals” arrived at Masham Station in 25 September 1914 and marched the six miles to Colsterdale. Many went on to lose their lives. Visit the site and imagine the march from Masham station and the harsh conditions the men trained in. A reminder of our recent history.

These are among some of our local heritage treasures – there are many more nearby.

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A Quirky Find - The Bedale Leech House

On the road out to of Bedale to Aiskew, a small castellated Georgian box can be seen perched on the banks of Bedale Beck.

Built of brick and approx. 10ft x 10ft, it’s a curious sight. In fact, it’s one of the most unusual Georgian buildings in Britain, and though empty now, would once have been a real asset to the town. It was a “leech house” and is the only surviving example in the UK.

The Bedale leechery would have stored very large numbers of leeches to supply to local practitioners of “purging” – rebalancing the body by blood-letting, using leeches. Positioned next to the river, the building would have been packed with moss-filled jars of leeches and the water from the Beck could be diverted to run through, moistening the moss, then allowed to return to the Beck.

Bedale Beck itself would have been a hive of activity. In the past it linked the watermills at Crakehall and Aiskew and then continues to join the River Swale between Morton-on-Swale and Gatenby. In the 18th century an attempt was made to make the Beck navigable from Bedale to the River Swale and the area below the weir is still known as ‘The Harbour’. However, the plan was abandoned due to lack of investment and the advent of the Railway.

Call in and explore Bedale, just 10 minutes from Masham.