Wetherby Walks
This lovely market town near Leeds is well worth a visit for its architecture and fascinating history. It's also a great place for walkers with easy access to the beautiful Wharfedale and some delighful parks nearby too.
This walk takes you along the Ebor Way long distance trail to the splendid Harewood House.
The waymarked trail follows the River Wharfe with great views over the Wharfedale countryside. It runs for about 10 miles with a few moderate climbs along the way.
Start the walk on Wetherby Bridge in the town centre and cross to the southern side of the water. The route heads south west along the river passing the Wetherby Ings water meadows. You then head towards Collingham before turning west to Lime Kiln Wood and Woodhall Bridge. You continue to Netherby where you turn south toward Harewood House. The park is a great place for walking with miles of footpaths taking you to woodland, a deer park, lakes and a walled garden. After exploring the park you can catch a bus back to Wetherby most days. You could also turn it into a longer circular walk by following the Leeds Country Way east to Bardsey and then picking up country lanes through Collingham.
The Leeds Country Way long distance walk passes the park. If you'd like to continue your walking in the area you could follow this path south west to Eccup Reservoir. The reservoir has nice waterside paths and is a great place for spotting Red Kites and other birds.
To continue your walking from Wetherby try the Wetherby to Spofforth Castle Walk along the old Wetherby Railway Line. It's a nice easy stroll finishing at the historic ruins of Spofforth Castle.
Just to the south of the town you will find Hetchell Woods. The nature reserve has 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.
Just to the north you can pick up the excellent Knaresborough Round which explores the countryside around Knaresborough.
Postcode
LS22 6LR - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locationsWetherby Ordnance Survey Map 
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Wetherby Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Wetherby OS Map 
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Wetherby Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Wetherby
- Ebor Way - Follow the Ebor Way from Helmsley to Ilkley on this walk through Yorkshire
- Harewood House - Explore the 100 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens surrounding this 18th century country house in Leeds
- Eccup Reservoir - Enjoy an easy, waterside walk around this lovely reservoir near Leeds.
The walk begins in the car park on Stair Foot lane in Adel Woods and follows the Dales Way past Sand Moor golf course to the reservoir - Wetherby to Spofforth Castle - Follow the Wetherby Railway Path from Wetherby to Spofforth on this easy walk or cycle in Yorkshire
- Hetchell Woods - This lovely circular walk visits the Hetchell Woods Nature Reserve near Leeds in West Yorkshire
- Knaresborough Round - This 20 mile circular walk takes you on a tour of the countryside, lakes, rivers, woodland and villages surrounding the historic Yorkshire town of Knaresborough
- Bramham Park - The attractive West Yorkshire village of Bramham is a fine place to start a walk with a splendid old park estate, pockets of woodland and country trails to explore.
- Boston Spa - The village of Boston Spa is located in the north eastern corner of the city of Leeds
- Goldsborough - This village in North Yorkshire is located close to both Harrogate and Knaresborough
- East Keswick - This worthy village is located in West Yorkshire near the city of Leeds
- Adel Woods - This walk explores Adel Woods on the northern side of the city of Leeds.
Pubs/Cafes
Back in the town The Red Lion is a good choice for some post walk refreshment. The friendly pub serves a fine Sunday lunch and also has a large garden for warmer weather. You can easily find them on the High Street with a postcode of LS22 6LR for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The river and woodland trails on the route make for a fine dog walk. Harewood House is dog friendly too with miles of good trails in the estate for you and your pet. You are asked to keep them on short leads and they are not allowed in the House, Bird Garden, Farm Experience and the Adventure Playground. The Red Lion mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Follow the river south east and you can pick up the Boston Spa Walk. This will take you along the river to Newton Kyme and the ruins of Kyme Castle.
The worthy village of Bramham is located just a few miles to the south. Here you can visit the noteworthy Bramham Park where there are hundreds of acres of parkland, gardens, woodland and countryside to explore. The landscaped park surrounds the historic 18th century Bramham House which is a Grade I listed building. You could also pick up the Leeds Country Way here and follow it to nearby Thorner.
Photos
Wetherby/Mickletwaite bridge and Wetherby weir. The bridge originally carried the Great North Road - the present-day A1 - across the River Wharfe until the town was bypassed in the 1960s. Note the leaping salmon sculpture.
River Wharfe from Linton Bridge. The River Wharfe here forms the boundary between the villages of Linton and Collingham to the southwest of Wetherby. View downstream towards Wetherby.
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Woodhall Bridge East Keswick
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River Wharfe
The Wharfe below Harewood. A pleasant stretch of the River Wharfe a mile downstream from Harewood Bridge.
Harewood House from the terrace gardens
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Town Hall, Wetherby. The Town Hall dates from 1845 and is the most prominent building in the Market Place. The vuilding no longer plays a major civic function but provides an office which is used by Wetherby Town Council and facilities for local groups and events. It is Grade II listed.
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Bandstand by the river