Eccup Reservoir circular from Alwoodley Park

West Yorkshire Walk

Maps

Walk Route Description

A straightfoward ramble with little climbing, but one which, given that the Leeds conurbation starts just a couple of miles down the road, is an eye-opener. Peaceful grass meadows and arable and stock fields abound; there is a delightful walk through deciduous woods, as well as the charm of Eccup reservoir; and there are the many Red Kites to be spotted.

From the A660 roundabout just SE of Bramhope take the eastbound King Road past Black Hill Quarry to the T-junction where you turn right along Arthington Road, then first left along King's Lane and keep ahead over a junction towards Alwoodley Park. Shortly after the houses begin go left along Alwoodley Lane. Park with consideration in Lakeland Drive, the third road on the left. (SE296408).

Walk back to the main road and turn left, then left again along the footpath leading down to the golden stone reservoir building, Goodrick Lodge. Follow the path to the left of the house. This delightful path leads you via a gate around an enormous field alongside the mixed conifer / deciduous Goodrick Plantation. Cross the stile in the corner where the Dales Way comes in and descend to Eccup Moor Road.

Turn right and pass through the hamlet of Eccup which takes its name from the Norse "Oak in a high place". Follow this quiet road and take a narrow track on the left (the Dales Way goes up there), ignore the cycle path on the left and reach Eccup Lane. Turn right, cross and take the path. This brings you to a wall with a stile, and the Dales Way continues via a stile on the right.

The path soon reaches a stile and bends sharp right along the field edge. It brings you to a stile above Bank Side farm. Negotiate this and the untidy farmyard, and turn right along Allums Lane (Ebor Way). To your left you can see the many arches of Arthington viaduct. This is a good place to see Red Kites of an afternoon.

At the end turn right and climb Bedlam Lane, taking a left at the T junction on to Eccup Lane and dropping to the bottom where you take the bridleway on the right. Follow this for ½ mile to where the Ebor Way and Leeds County Way cross in Stub House Plantation. Turn right along the latter, pass Stub House Farm and keep straight on, leaving the LCW. There are ever more obvious views of the village built for "Emmerdale" on the left, cricket pavilion and square and all.

The bridleway is easy to follow and brings you to an access lane where you turn left and find the footpath behind the beech hedging opposite the entrance to the water treatment works. Follow it to the end where you turn right and follow the access road round to the left, over the dam. The path starts in front of the water board house and you simply follow it around the reservoir now, eventually reaching Goodrick Lodge once again where you turn left and retrace your steps to the car.

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