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Druids Temple Walk

9.3 miles (15 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap Visit this fascinating replica of Stonehenge, on this lovely circular walk from Masham. The unusual folly is one of the local highlights and with a series of pleasant footpaths around the site it is a popular destination for walkers.
The walk starts in the market town of Masham in the Harrogate district of North Yorkshire. The attractive town has some fine Georgian architecture and has some nice riverside footpaths along the River Ure and River Burn.
From the town you head west along the Ripon Rowel long distance trail. It will take you towards Micklebury Hill and across Fearby Moor, with nice views of the River Burn. The route then climbs on to the wooded area where you will find the Druids Temple structure. It was built in about 1820 by William Danby of nearby Swinton Park. The site includes a large stone table, a sheltered cave, and an altar stone. It became a folly of national reputation and is still an impressive sight. Situated at over 800ft there are great views over Wensleydale from the Druid's Plantation surrounding the folly.
After exploring the folly and the woodland, the walk then descends to High Knowle and the pretty Sole Beck before picking up the Ripon Rowel to take you back to Masham.
To extend the walk you could continue west and visit Leighton Reservoir and Roundhill Reservoir. There's some nice trails along the water and up into the surrounding moorland. Around here you can also pick up the Six Dales Trail.

Postcode

HG4 4JZ - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Druids Temple OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Druids Temple Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

Near the site we recommend a visit to the Black Swan at Fearby. They do great food and also provide good quality accommodation if you need to stay over. Inside there's an attractive olde interior with a number of aerial photographs on the wall. Outside there's a lovely patio area where you can enjoy view across the Dale. You can find the inn at Fearby near Masham, with a postcode of HG4 4NF for your sat navs. The inn is also dog friendly if you have your canine friend with you.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

The circular Masham Leaves Walk is another popular short route to try in the town. The circular walk takes you to 6 interesting limestone sculptures dotted around the town and surrounding countryside. There's also nice riverside stretches along the the River Ure and River Burn.

Photos

Druid's Temple - a mini Stonehenge - geograph.org.uk - 1419678

Temple view 1

Druid's Temple

Temple view 2

High stone pillar adjacent to the Druid's Temple near Ilton - geograph.org.uk - 184328

High stone pillar adjacent to the Druid's Temple

Leighton Reservoir looking west from Druids Plantation - geograph.org.uk - 403856

Leighton Reservoir looking west from Druids Plantation

Druid's Plantation - geograph.org.uk - 1403675

Druid's Plantation. A view of the woodland surrounding the temple in mid summer.

Rock structure associated with Ilton Druids Temple - geograph.org.uk - 1535008

Rock structure associated with Ilton Druids Temple

Sole Beck near Ilton - geograph.org.uk - 2545376

Sole Beck near Ilton. The small village of Ilton and this beck lie just to the south east of the site.

Gate above Low Knowle Farm - geograph.org.uk - 1419693

Gate above Low Knowle Farm. Humble gate sandwiched between imposing walls, that allows a public footpath to pass on its journey towards Leighton.

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Druids Temple.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Druids Temple.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)