Dob Park Lodge and Bridge (3 miles)

 

A short walk to discover a couple of historic gems close to Otley - the 17th century Dob Park Lodge and Dob Park Packhorse Bridge.  This 3 mile circular walk is suitable for walkers of all ages and ability with good paths throughout.

Please note this walk can get boggy in the winter so please take appropriate footwear.

Also the walk description  is not a step by step set of instructions.  A full GPX file and map have been provided that will show the full route in detail.

Limited parking is available in the small lay-by on Dob Park Road (just off Newall Carr Road).  For those looking for a longer walk the start point is easily accessible by foot from Otley with the town centre just 3 miles away and a range of available routes uptown the start point.

Once parked up head down Dob Park Road for a short distance until the road forks.  Following the left hand fork and the path will take you around Dob Park House and then back onto onto the path and onward to the Lodge.

The grade II listed Lodge is in pretty poor state and fenced off from public access - it is over 400 years old.    It is still possible to get impressive views of the lodge from the path especially with Swinsty reservoir and Menwith Hill as a backdrop.  Initially build in the early 17th century by the Vavasour family the lodge was reportedly shelled by Cromowell's soldiers during the Civil War.

Now onto the bridge.  Continue on the same path into a large field, just short of leaving the field you will pick up a track to your right descending into Dob Park wood and Low Park Farm.  Continue down past the farm until you pick up the Six Dales Trail.  Turn right on the trail and it is onwards to Dob Park Bridge.

Dob Park Bridge, which crosses the River Washburn is again early 17th century and connected Dob Park to Norwood and Fewston.  Once you have had time to explore the bridge, return to the same side of the bridge as you joined and continue to follow the Six Dales Trail back to the starting point of the walk.  After a short walk uphill past Middle Farm you are soon back at the the lay-by at Dob Park Road.

[Map]   [Suggested Parking]   [Download GPX File]   [Subscribe]

Dob Park Lodge with Swinsty Reservoir and Menwith Hill

Dob Park Packhorse Bridge

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