Hetchell Woods
This lovely circular walk visits the Hetchell Woods Nature Reserve near Leeds in West Yorkshire. It's a delightful spot with peaceful woodland trails, pretty streams and lots of wildlife to look out for. The site also includes the imposing rocky outcrop of Hetchell Crags and the fascinating Roman earthworks at Pompocali.
You can start the walk from the little village of Bardsey just to the north west of the woods. Then follow the Bardsey Beck a short distance to the woods. On the southern side of the woods you will find Pompocali where there are extensive earthworks on the course of an old Roman Road. It's an interesting spot, surrounded by some lovely countryside.
The site is great for flora and fauna with lots of wildflowers to see in the attractive open grassland areas. There's also Hebridean sheep and a variety of woodland birds to look out for all year round.
The Leeds Country Way long distance trail passes through the woods so there is great scope for extending your walking in this lovely area. If you pick up the trail and head west you can visit the splendid Harewood House with its lakes, woodland and attractive parkland.
Also to the west is Eccup Reservoir which has a nice walking trail to follow around the water.
To the south of here there's also Adel Woods where there's some nice trails along the Adel Beck.
Postcode
LS23 6NA - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsHetchell Woods Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Hetchell Woods Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Hetchell Woods OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Hetchell Woods Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Pubs/Cafes
Head into Bardsey village and you could visit the noteworthy Bingley Arms Pub. It's a significant establishment, thought to be the oldest pub in Britain and dating back over 1000 years to a time when Vikings were conquering parts of the country and before England had its first King. There's a charming old interior with an original Dutch oven in the lounge and ancient priest holes hidden in the chimney. Outside there's a lovely garden area with a yew tree that pre-dates the pub. You can find them at Church Ln, Bardsey, LS17 9DR.
Dog Walking
The woodland trails make for a fine dog walk though you are asked to keep them on leads. The Bingley Arms mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
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Lychgate and Cottages, Bardsey
Pompocali Earthworks. This unusual series of earth workings is located between Thorner and Bardsey near to Hetchell Woods and not far from the A58. The banks of the earth workings form almost horse shoes type shapes with conical mounds and ridges which can be climbed.
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Dappled light, Hetchell Wood in summer
Bardsey Beck
From the bridleway on its southern boundary
Limestone grassland in summer
The valley of Bardsey Beck. Nice view of the countryside surrounding the woods on the western side.
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The Bingley Arms, Bardsey. An historic pub which is well worth a visit after your walk.