Swinsty and Fewston

Swinsty and Fewston Reservoir Circular

Walk 3- Swinsty and Fewston Reservoirs - 6 miles- A family walk using water authority paths - nearly all on the level and suitable for wheelchairs and all-terrain pushchairs. Steps can be avoided with ramps. The route described is the anticlockwise circuit from Swinsty Moor and Fewston Reservoir carpark but the walk could equally be undertaken in a clockwise direction. Back to Washburn Valley


Fewston Reservoir	Swinsty Reservoir


Fewston Church	Fewston Church

Park at Swinsty Moor and Fewston Reservoir carpark. Parking is free but can be busy at peak times. Alternative carparks can be found at Stack Point and Blubberhouses

Emerge from the car park entrance and walk towards the Fewston Dam turn left on the signposted water authority path. This continues alongside Fewston Reservoir and then around a small inlet crossing Thackray Beck. The path continues to a prominentary overlooking the the reservoir and eventually to emerge at Blubberhouses carpark. Walking almost to the end of the carpark the is a walkway and steps leading up to the main A59. Cross the River Washburn on the road bridge.

Immediately on the other side of the road bridge turn right on to the water authority path which descends to the reservoir edge. Follow the well surfaced path all the way to Fewston dam emerging at some stone steps just beyond the reservoir house. Descend the steps and cross to the Swinsty Reservoir path immediately before the dam on the other side of the road.

Note : a slight deviation can be made here to visit the Washburn Heritage Centre and Fewston Church. The centre is normally open on Sundays but best to check. There is a small cafe run by volunteers with displays on the local history. This is certainly worth a visit http://www.washburnvalley.org/. A path descends from the Heritage Centre carpark through the woods to meet the reservoir path.

Following the Swinsty Reservoir path this emerges at Stack Point carpark and picnic site. Turn right at the minor road and cross the causeway taking care of traffic. Immediately turn right on to the reservoir path. This emerges on the driveway to the reservoir house and Swinsty Dam. Cross the dam and bear right to follow the track on the far side. After a short while the track passes Swinsty Hall. Turn left and then right to follow the path through the woods to emerge back at the car park.


Fewston Reservoir	Swinsty Hall

Path around Fewston	Fewston village

Millennium Stone, Swinsty	Thackray Beck, Fewston Reservoir

Fewston Reservoir	Swinsty Reservoir

The reservoirs were built by the Leeds Waterworks Company. Swinsty Reservoir was completed in 1878 and has a capacity is about 390 million litres of water. Fewston Reservoir was built in 1879 with capacity about 350 million litres.

The cafe at he Washburn Heritage Centre is usually open on Sundays and some other days (check in advance). Nearby public houses include:

Hopper Lane Hotel is located 1/4 mile on the A59 towards Harrogate.
The Timble Inn
The Sun Inn at Norwood

In addition Fewston Farm Shop is located close by https://www.fewstonfarmshop.co.uk/

Important note:- Whilst the author has taken every care in assembling the information on this site, no responsibility can be accepted for any error or omission herein. If in any doubt walkers should consult the relevant OS map.

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This page was last updated on 08-Jul-2020