Nidderdale: Reservoirs, Dams, Gorges & Big Views on Harrogate’s Doorstep

Nidderdale is one of those valleys locals know well, but visitors often skip. Which is bonkers, really. In a short drive from Harrogate you get: old quarries, strange industrial ruins, a dramatic dam that looks like a castle, hidden woodland waterfalls, a gorge straight out of an adventure film, and one of the best valley viewpoints in Yorkshire.

I tend to wander this route in winter – February especially – because the moody light and bare trees really suit the place. But the bones of the valley are worth seeing any time of year.

What makes Nidderdale such an easy valley to explore from Harrogate?

Because it feels “proper Dales” without a massive trek to get there.

Nidderdale runs roughly north from the Harrogate area. You can finish breakfast at home and be up amongst reservoirs and high moorland in no time. It’s one of those valleys where the scenery ramps up quickly: one minute you’re pottering through villages, the next you’re staring at a huge stone dam and wondering what on earth they were thinking in the 1930s.

It’s ideal for a full day out, but also works if you just want to grab a few hours of fresh air, some cracking photos, and a portion of fish and chips.

Where’s the best place to start a day out in Nidderdale?

Start at Pateley Bridge Showground – easy parking, simple logistics, and chips within reach.

A good, practical base is the showground car park at Pateley Bridge. It’s usually pay-and-display, so you can leave the car all day if you fancy, and it’s a sensible spot for meeting others and car sharing. Some of the smaller pull-ins up the valley only really work if you’ve got two or three cars between you, so sharing is handy.

Pateley itself is a lovely little town and, crucially, has a fish and chip shop. If you time it right, you can loop back at lunchtime, park up again and refuel before heading further into the dale.

What’s so interesting about Toft Gate Lime Kiln and Coldstones Cut?

Because you get industrial history, odd structures, views into a working quarry, and a giant bike – all on the same hill.

From Pateley Bridge, it’s a quick zip up the hill to Toft Gate Lime Kiln and Coldstones Cut. This little area gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

Toft Gate Lime Kiln

The lime kiln itself is long, low and quietly impressive. A stone structure with a peculiar ground-level flue that runs up to a little chimney tower, it feels half industrial, half Gothic. It’s the kind of place where you can easily lose half an hour just wandering around looking for angles and details in the stonework.

Coldstones Cut

Across the road and up the hill is Coldstones Cut, an art installation and viewpoint rolled into one. Up here you’ll find:

• A giant sculpture of a bicycle – a nod to the Tour de France route that came through the area.
• A long path between high stone walls, which feels like walking through a man-made canyon.
• Spiral staircases that lead up to viewing platforms.
• A dramatic view straight down into a working quarry.

Even if you’re not especially into quarries, the scale of it is striking. On a clear day, the wider views over Nidderdale from up here are excellent too.

What can you see as you head up the valley towards the reservoirs?

A string of villages, a long thin reservoir, and plenty of quiet corners to stop and look around.

Drop back down towards Pateley Bridge and, if hunger’s kicking in, this is a good moment to grab those fish and chips. Once you’ve refuelled, head up the valley following the river. The road threads through small villages, fields, and bits of woodland before reaching the first of the big waters.

Gouthwaite Reservoir

Gouthwaite Reservoir is one of those long, narrow reservoirs that seems to stretch on forever. There’s a handy parking space near the end, and if you’ve got time it’s worth a 20–30 minute pause. You can:

• Take in the long views up and down the water.
• Walk through a gate to get down closer to the shoreline.
• Watch birdlife – it’s a popular spot for that.

It’s calmer and gentler than the big dam at the top of the valley, but still very easy on the eye.

Where is the hidden woodland waterfall near the Scar House road?

In the woods beside the Lofthouse–Scar House road – a proper tucked-away gem.

Carry on through Lofthouse and take the fork towards Scar House Reservoir. Partway up this road, on the right-hand side, you’ll notice a patch of woodland. Hidden in there is a lovely little waterfall and a series of cascades.

It’s worth planning for about an hour here. What you get:

• A main waterfall dropping into a splash pool.
• Smaller cascades running over rock steps.
• Attractive trees and branches framing the water.

In February, with the leaves off and the crowds elsewhere, you may well have it to yourself. In summer it’s popular with paddlers and families, but winter gives it a more atmospheric, quiet feel.

Why is Scar House Reservoir one of the most impressive dams in the Dales?

Because it feels like someone built a giant stone fortress and then decided to fill it with water.

Drive all the way up to the end of the valley and you’ll reach Scar House Reservoir. The dam here is a beast – a huge wall of stone from the early-to-mid 20th century, complete with tower-like features and a dramatic overspill when the water’s high.

Things to look out for:

• The scale and detail of the dam wall itself – it’s wildly photogenic.
• The overspill channel, which can be spectacular in wet weather.
• The walk across the dam, giving big views back down the reservoir and out into the hills.

You could easily spend a couple of hours exploring angles around the dam and the shoreline nearby. There’s also the option to walk further on towards Angram Reservoir, which sits just upstream. It’s a fair bit of extra walking though, and you may or may not feel the views justify the extra effort. Treat it as an optional add-on if you’ve got the legs and the time for it.

Why is Middlesmoor such a cracking viewpoint at the end of the day?

Because you get a classic high-vantage view straight back down the valley over reservoir, village and fields.

Once you’ve finished at Scar House, retrace your route back down the valley. When you reach Lofthouse, turn sharply and climb up the hill to the village of Middlesmoor.

Middlesmoor itself is small and very picturesque, with stone cottages, a church and a graveyard that feels saturated with local history. But the real star here is the view. From the churchyard and surrounding paths you look:

• Down the valley towards Gouthwaite Reservoir.
• Across patchwork fields and drystone walls.
• Over layers of hills fading into the distance.

On the right winter’s day you might even get a cloud inversion, with mist filling the lower valley as the tops sit in clear air. Even without that bit of drama, it’s a brilliant place to end a day – especially towards sunset, when the light rakes across the landscape.

Is How Stean Gorge worth the detour?

Yes – if you’re up for something a bit more adventurous and don’t mind things being a bit slippy underfoot.

How Stean Gorge sits not far away in the wider Nidderdale area and is one of the more dramatic bits of landscape around here. Think narrow gorge, high rock walls, echoing water and walkways that get you close to the action.

I first went about twenty years ago and still remember the sense of “blimey, this is a bit special”. It’s not somewhere I’d take a big group of people of mixed abilities, purely because the paths and rocks can be slippy. But if you’re a reasonably sure-footed, adventurous photographer or walker, it’s a beautiful spot to explore with the camera and a bit of care.

Where does Birstwith fit into a day around Nidderdale?

Downstream on the River Nidd, with a lovely stepped diagonal weir that’s well worth a look.

If you follow the river further down from the main Nidderdale loop, you’ll reach Birstwith. Here the River Nidd is crossed by a lovely stepped, diagonal weir – a man-made feature, but a very photogenic one.

It’s particularly good after rain, when the water spills over each step and the diagonal line leads your eye across the frame. If you’re into long exposures, you can have a lot of fun here turning those steps into silky streaks.

Could you add Brimham Rocks into your Nidderdale day – especially after dark?

Yes – Brimham Rocks is a great “bonus level”, especially if you fancy playing with torches or night photography.

Depending on your energy levels, there’s the option to tag on a trip to Brimham Rocks either at the start or the end of your Nidderdale wander. It’s not far away in driving terms and gives you a completely different type of landscape: weird rock stacks, balancing stones, and views over the surrounding moors.

After dark, Brimham can be a cracking place to:

• Shine torches across the rocks and pick out shapes.
• Experiment with light painting.
• Try some simple star photography on a clear night.

It’s one to plan carefully – check opening times, parking arrangements and weather – but if everything lines up, it rounds off a Nidderdale day very nicely.

FAQ: Handy Bits If You’re Exploring Nidderdale for the First Time

Is Nidderdale part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park?
It’s officially an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) rather than part of the National Park boundaries, but landscape-wise it feels very much like “proper Dales”.

Is there much walking involved in this route?
Most of the stops mentioned are close to the road, with optional longer walks if you want them. Scar House and Middlesmoor have easy, short-access viewpoints; the woodland waterfall and How Stean Gorge are a bit more demanding underfoot.

Is February a good time to visit?
Yes – the trees are bare, the water levels can be high, and the low sun gives you moody light for much of the day. Just dress for winter and expect things to be a bit damp underfoot.

Are there facilities on the route?
Pateley Bridge has shops, cafes and fish and chips. Some sites (like How Stean Gorge) have their own facilities seasonally; Scar House has basic parking and paths rather than full visitor-centre amenities.

Can you do this route in one day?
Easily, as a relaxed winter day out. If you like to linger, you can always split it over two shorter trips – one focused on the reservoirs and Middlesmoor, another on gorges, waterfalls and Brimham Rocks.

Final Thought

Nidderdale is one of those places that’s close enough to feel easy, but varied enough to keep you coming back. Lime kilns, quarries, big dams, hidden waterfalls, soaring viewpoints, gorges and rock gardens – all within a fairly compact valley.

Whether you’re visiting with a camera, a dog lead, or just a craving for fresh air and chips, there’s plenty here to fill a winter’s day. And if you stumble across a new angle or secret corner I’ve not mentioned, let me know – I’m always keen to add another pin to the mental map.