Outdoor activities in North Yorkshire

Explore the great outdoors in Yorkshire with gardens, ancient ruins and ice-age rock formations.

Harlow Carr Gardens

18-min drive from Nidd Hall, HG3 1QB

With 13 distinct sections of garden including lakeside gardens, woodland, wildflower meadows and the Queen Mother’s Lake, Harlow Carr offers a tapestry of colours that changes with the seasons, and a huge variety of different plants from all corners of the globe.

Brimham Rocks

18-min drive from Nidd Hall, HG3 4DW

The millstone grit ‘sculptures’ of Brimham Rocks were carved by wind and sand around 18,000 years ago when the whole region was covered with ice. The labyrinth of rock formations is unique to the area and offers panoramic views of Nidderdale and the Vale of York.

Fountains Abbey & Studley Royal

21-min drive from Nidd Hall, HG4 3DY

The Grade I listed Fountains Abbey is the largest monastic ruin in the country and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. Within its grounds is Studley Royal and its famous Temple of Piety, a photo opportunity set within a Georgian water garden with grand vistas over the surrounding area.

Himalayan Gardens & Sculpture Park

30-min drive from Nidd Hall, HG4 3DA

Opening times restricted during Winter – please visit their website for details.

The winner of the Yorkshire in Bloom Tourist Attraction award for two years running, over 80 sculptures sit amongst 45 acres of Himalayan-inspired gardens (that’s more than twice the size of Buckingham Palace) that include 3 lakes and almost 20,000 plants.

Walking in North Yorkshire

We’ve partnered with ViewRanger to create walking routes for all levels of ability – click below for more info and a selection of walks near our hotels.

View routes

In our grounds and gardens

Lake

A short walk to the bottom of our grounds will take you to the sparkling surface of our lake, home to a wide array of waterfowl and fish. On a hot summers day the air around the water is just a little bit cooler, a refreshing reward for your stroll.

Water Garden

Hidden within our woodland lies the water garden, surrounded by a variety of different plants and containing lily ponds and a summer house. Our grounds team regularly run garden tours where you can find out more about this picturesque piece of Nidd Hall.

The Fairy Door in Nidd Hall Hotel's grounds.

Fairy doors

There’s magic here at Nidd Hall… Dotted around our gardens are nine tiny doors, each one made from recycled materials. Legend has it that they lead into the houses of the Nidd Hall faeries. Can you spot all nine?