Fewston and Swinsty Reservoir circular walk.

We did the walk in an Anti clockwise direction from Swinsty and Fewston Reservoir Car Park, North Lane, Otley, North Yorkshire, LS21 2NP

The walk starts straight out of the car park and leads off through an area of coppiced woodland on well maintained paths that continue on the whole circular walk. I believe they are owned by Yorkshire water so credit to them as the entire walk is wheel chair friendly and accessible to all abilities.

Very quickly the path joins the bank of Swinsty reservoir and follows it for almost the entire loop; soon you come to the beautiful 16^th century Swinsty Hall, the home of a certain England football manager who has a liking for a good waist coat. From here you cross the dam and follow on towards Fewston reservoir. There are lots of lovely little drop downs to the water’s edge and benches for a brew stop where you can rest and take in the beauty of the area.

We had a visit from a very rare golden pheasant that was happily feasting on fine Yorkshire berries oblivious to me and my camera clicking away.

The path brings you onto the A59 at Blubberhouses where you turn around at the top of Fewston reservoir. You can use St Andrews church as a landmark as it is prominent on the hillside opposite the car park.

The path back is a little more undulating than the way out but is still beautifully well maintained and passable by pram / wheelchair.

Total distance is around 6.5 miles but all too quickly you arrive back at Swinsty and Fewston Reservoir Car Park; there are picnic benches and an ice-cream van which is nice way to end the walk.