← Back to walks around 15–20 minutes from Harrogate
Approximately 15 minutes’ drive from Harrogate, with The Timble Inn a five minute drive from the walk.
Tap or click the video below to watch this walk and its highlights.
About this walk
Explore woodland paths, reservoir views and open countryside on this circular walk around Lindley Wood Reservoir. Enjoy changing scenery through trees and fields, then take a short drive to The Timble Inn for a drink or something to eat.
Walk facts
Drive time: Approximately 15 minutes’ drive from Harrogate.
Route type: Circular route.
Distance: Approximately 4.65 miles (7.5 km).
Walking time: Estimated 1½ to 2¼ hours.
Total ascent: Approximately 179 metres (587 feet).
Difficulty: Moderate.
Terrain: Woodland paths, country lanes and farmland.
Dogs: Welcome, with leads near livestock.
Parking: Limited roadside layby parking by Lindley Wood Reservoir Bridge.
Toilets: There are no toilets on the walk. If you’re stopping at The Timble Inn afterwards, customer toilets are available at the pub.
Paths and conditions can change, particularly after wet weather.
Follow the route
Explore at your own pace with Mapy.com. Save our walking route and download the surrounding map before leaving home, then follow the route line using your location on the map, even without mobile signal. A free account includes offline maps for one country.
New to Mapy.com? Click here
- Install Mapy.com using the buttons below.
- Open the app and create a free account or sign in.
Now follow the remaining steps below this expandable section.
Watch how to set up Mapy.com
Tap play below to watch.
- Download the offline map covering Yorkshire.
- Return here, tap ‘Open walk in Mapy.com’ and save the route to My Mapy.
- Before leaving home, turn on aeroplane mode and turn off Wi-Fi. Check the route and background map both open, then turn aeroplane mode off.
- At the start, allow precise location and follow the route line using your location arrow.
Prefer another mapping app? Download this walk’s GPX file and import it into a compatible app.
Navigation backup
Please don’t rely solely on your phone or other electronic devices. Batteries can run out, and devices can fail or become damaged, even with offline maps downloaded. Carry a paper map and compass, and know how to use them.
Paper map for this walk: OS Explorer 297, Lower Wharfedale & Washburn Valley, scale 1:25,000.
Parking and getting there
There is limited roadside layby parking either side of Lindley Wood Reservoir Bridge on the B6451. Search Google Maps for ‘Lindley Wood Reservoir Bridge’. Park considerately without blocking gates, access or the road. Take care around passing traffic and when crossing.
Starting the walk
Our circular walk starts at Lindley Wood Reservoir Bridge on the B6451. The laybys are beside the road, so take care around passing traffic as you leave your vehicle.
Step 1: Park in a layby by Lindley Wood Reservoir Bridge.
Walk towards the gated area by the turning circle marked ‘No parking’. Keep the turning circle clear.
Step 2: Head towards the metal gates.
Go through the gate.
Step 3: Walk along the track.
You’re now on the walk.
The story of Lindley Wood Reservoir
The water you see from the bridge is part of a Victorian scheme built as Leeds grew. In the 1870s, workers dammed the River Washburn here at Lindley Wood. It is the lowest of the valley’s four reservoirs, below Thruscross, Fewston and Swinsty. Water released from Lindley Wood helps keep the river flowing downstream.
The Timble Inn, Timble
Back at Lindley Wood Reservoir Bridge, it’s about five minutes by car to The Timble Inn. If you fancy a meal after the walk, check serving times and book ahead. If you visit, please mention Harrogate Hikers.
Before you go
- Wear footwear with good grip. Woodland paths and fields can be muddy after rain.
- Keep dogs on a lead near livestock and pick up after them.
- Take care around traffic by the bridge and laybys, and keep back from the water’s edge.
- Check the weather forecast and daylight hours before setting off. Fully charge your phone and carry a charged power bank with the correct cable. Bring a suitable paper map and compass as backup navigation, and know how to use them.
- Check the route suits your group before setting off.
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