Nidderdale & Washburn Walks

Swinsty Reservoir

Date: 26th December 2014
Distance: 3.2 miles
Ascent: 180 feet
Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
With: Too many to list!
Start Grid Ref: SE198536

Walk Summary:
A pleasant Boxing Day family walk around the lovely Swinsty Reservoir in the unsung Washburn Valley.

Route Summary: Clockwise circuit of Swinsty Reservoir starting from car park on Smithson's Lane

Photos: Click on the photos below to enlarge.

Walk Detail: Swinsty Reservoir is one of four reservoirs in the Washburn Valley, situated to the west of Harrogate and to the north of Otley. The three mile circuit of the reservoir is an easy and pleasant one - perfect for getting out for some seasonal fresh air on Boxing Day.

This is the third time I've done this walk on Boxing Day. The last time, on Boxing Day 2012, it was just me, Lisa and Rhiannon. This time it was a mass family get together - ten adults, four children and three babies!

Usually we do the walk anti-clockwise but this time we went the other way round. It was a fairly overcast day with the sun vainly trying to break through the cloud.

Taken at a much more leisurely walking pace than I am accustomed to it was still really nice to spend time catching up with everyone as we made our way round the reservoir. While it was a bit muddy in places, particularly on the lower path on the western side of the reservoir, the paths were generally very good and easy underfoot and no problem for the pushchairs.

Every time I do this walk I take a look down from Swinsty's dam and think I should really one day do a more extended walk following the Washburn downstream. Maybe next year!

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