Lindley Wood Reservoir Walk

Starting point  and OS Grid reference: At turn off on Otley to Bluberhouses road (SE 196492)		Ordnance Survey Map OS Explorer Map 297 - Lower Wharfedale & Washburn Valley. Buy this map from List of OS Maps Commission from map sales is used to fund the website, so keeping it free to use.
Distance: 6 miles
Traffic light rating:   (For explanation see My Walks page)
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Introduction: This walk by Lindley Wood Reservoir is a lovely easy walk with great views, for little effort, across the Washburn Valley and over the reservoir itself. As a bonus, it can be linked with my Washburn Valley and Timble walk by Swinsty Reservoir to provide a longer walk of some 13¼ miles altogether.

Lindley Wood was the first reservoir to be built in the valley between 1869 and 1876, one of four (with Fewston, Swinsty and Thruscross).

The walk crosses Dob Park bridge, a Grade II listed, ancient packhorse bridge dating back to the 17^th century, which carried the route from Dob Park Mill. From here, the return route is quite a steep pull back to the car park but it is easy walking along a broad track and tarmac lane and not enough to justify other than a green traffic light..

Various rare species of bird may be seen on the water and in the pleasant woods so it could be worth taking binoculars.

A lot of people like to start walks in this valley from various valley bottom parking places but I think by starting here, above Dob Park, you get to enjoy better views on the descent to the reservoir.

The parking spot is found by heading north from Otley over its river bridge and up the steep hill. Pass the Roebuck pub (known by everyone locally as The Spite from previous incarnations) Pass the turn for Clifton, then the road turns sharply right then soon left. On this left bend, there is a right “dead end” turn on to Dob Park Road (unsigned) which  you take. There is limited rough parking immediately on the right of this lane (SE 196492). If this parking is full, do not waste time going further down the lane as there is no more parking. Instead, return to the road from which you turned and continue for about ¾ of a mile where you will find parking on the right.

There is a handy bench about three quarters of the way round for lunch.

Start: From the parking (SE 196492), head downhill on Dob Park Road, for only 70 yards or so and turn right to follow a fingerpost for the Six Dales Trail along a walled track.

Follow the obvious track and as it swings right at 90°, you get good views towards the reservoir. Almscliff Crag can be seen on the horizon in the distance.

The track swings left just before a wooded area and drops down to Crag Farm. At the farm, keep straight ahead along its access track. Immediately after the track bends left, not far past the farm, go through the gate on the right hand side (SE 206487).

The footpath passes some trees and after going through the gate at the end of the field, turn left and a ladder stile comes into view.

Cross the stile and head down the right hand boundary of the next field, just above a little valley. As the boundary bends right SE211488), follow it round keeping to the right hand side of the field.

As the field starts to narrow near its end, cross the stone step stile by the gate, to the road.

Cross the road and take the footpath opposite indicated by the old style metal footpath post. A wooden stile with a yellow arrow indicates the way ahead.

Keep to the right hand side of the next two fields exiting into the road via a stile (SE 219484). Turn left and follow the road down to the bridge.

Go over the bridge and as it starts to rise, turn left to follow the fingerpost for Norwood Bottom. The path goes to the left of the large gateposts.

Follow the obvious path through the woods alongside the reservoir, until you reach the B6451 road by the bridge. Cross the bridge and turn right along the waterside indicated by another old stile footpath post. Just after you turn, there is a bench overlooking the water for a picnic spot.

The path follows the left hand bank of the River Washburn before crossing a bridge to the other side where you turn left, to continue following the river.

On reaching a broad track, with a ford crossing the river, branch left to cross Dob Park packhorse bridge. It is then simply a case of following the lane, at first a stony track, then tarmac, back to the car.

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All information on this site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it.