Standing with a stick next to Swinsty Reservoir

Swinsty Reservoir

This family friendly circular walk heads around Swinsty Reservoir, the smallest of the Washburn Valley Reservoirs and is a great way to spend an afternoon!

Do you want to walk around Swinsty Reservoir?

A reservoir walk is a top way to spend a day and this walk around Swinsty Reservoir is super easy to navigate and has so many spots to get down to the edge of the water to throw stones (no swimming, at the request of Yorkshire Water).

With picnic spots and views to die for, this walk around the smallest of the Washburn Valley reservoirs is ace!

There are two car parks located near Swinsty Reservoir. Both get extremely busy, but on the whole, we have had more success with the one located on the northernmost shore, near the village of Fewston. So this walk starts from there!

Obviously, this being a circular route, you could just as easily start from the other if you find a spot!

Playing in the water at Swinsty Reservoir

What are the walk details for Swinsty Reservoir?

Distance: About 4 miles

Terrain: Easy underfoot. 🛑 Some brief road walking on circular route. Little to no ascent.

Parking: Yorkshire water car parks located on the north and south sides of Swinsty. This walk begins at the north side.

Public Transport: The Dales Bus 59 does stop at Blubberhouses at the weekend, but it is then a further walk to get from there to Swinsty Reservoir. Check out the Dales Bus website for more information.

Dog Friendly? Yes, but dogs are not permitted to swim and are asked to be kept on leads (precautions relating to algae blooms)

Location: Washburn Valley, 15-20 minute drive north of Otley off A59 Harrogate/ Skipton Road.

Map: OS Explorer 297 Lower Wharfedale and Washburn Valley.

What 3 Words: blazers.overjoyed.outgoing (car park)

Toilets/ Baby Change: At Southern Car Park.

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Fewston at the Heritage Centre.

Stick collecting alongside Swinsty reservoir

Directions around Swinsty Reservoir

  1. Not much in the way of explanation for these directions! (Easy for me!!) From the car park, walk through the gap in the wall towards the water’s edge. Here you’ll find picnic benches and plenty of stones for throwing!

  2. Turn left and head on the path towards the road. Turn right here for a short distance along the road. The road crosses the water. 🛑 This is your road walking section. Take care.

  3. Once you are over the other side of the water (around 200m) Turn right onto the wide track which circles the reservoir. There are plenty of spots here to get down again to the water’s edge. Keep following the water’s edge (ignoring any other waymarked routes) until you reach Swinsty Cottage, where you take a right onto Swinsty embankment.

  4. Walk along the embankment, until you reach the end. Here you want to keep to the path nearest to the water, turning right (the other will lead you through Swinsty Hall). Follow this until the track hits the road again.

  5. Cross to the pavement and turn right across Fewston Embankment. Fewston Reservoir is on your left now, Swinsty is to your right.

  6. Once you are across the embankment, there is a house at the end. Just past this on the right on the other side of the road is the path back into the woods, cross the road and head down this path, it will take you all the way back to the beginning. There are stick dens along here and more places to get down to the water. Follow this all the way back to the beginning.

Last walked February 2023

Balancing on a log next to the water of Swinsty reservoir

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

Looking over the water of Swinsty reservoir

What’s cool for kids on this walk?

💦 Get stone throwing! Adhere to Yorkshire Water’s warnings about swimming, and be aware of algae blooms in the water.

🍦 There is often an ice cream van parked up at the main car park, and Fewston Farm Shop has a cafe. Also in Fewston, is the Washburn Heritage Centre which is accessible from the path round the northern edge of the reservoir, this has a Tea Room.

🦆 Ducks to feed! Remember your duck food!

🧙‍♀️ Ever heard of the Timble Witches? A group of 6 women were accused of witchcraft after they allegedly targeted a wealthy family. The family residence is now at the bottom of Swinsty Reservoir but the story of the acquitted witches lives on… to read more about the Yorkshire Dales Witches, head to the blog!

🌳 There are plenty (and I mean PLENTY) of sticks to collect on this walk! Plus there are also blackberries if you visit in the late Summer. There are also conkers and acorns to collect too!

Need a whinge busting distraction? Then why not try one of our walking games? Or you can download a free scavenger sheet!

Swinsty Reservoir walk with kids near Harrogate

The stony beach next to the car park. And DUCKS! LOADS OF DUCKS!

Swinsty at Spring time there are loads of daffodils to spot

Daffodils in Spring time!

The embankment at Swinsty

The embankment at Swinsty

Looking down at Scar House Reservoir

Want to find more Reservoir Walks?

All of our family friendly walks are arranged in loads of different categories including, waterfall walks, short walks and walks with play parks. So you can find exactly the kind of walk you are looking for!

But if you want to find all the kid friendly Reservoir walks in one place?

Then why not head to our Reservoir Walks section!

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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