Nidderdale AONB facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nidderdale AONB |
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Upper Nidderdale and Great Whernside
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Location of the Nidderdale AONB in England
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| Location | North Yorkshire, England |
| Nearest town | Harrogate |
| Area | 233 sq mi (600 km2) |
| Established | 1994 |
| Website | http://www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk |
The Nidderdale AONB is a special place in North Yorkshire, England. AONB stands for Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This means it's a beautiful landscape that is protected because of its natural importance. It's next to the Yorkshire Dales National Park.
This area includes most of Nidderdale itself. It also covers parts of Wharfedale, the Washburn valley, and a bit of Wensleydale. This includes places like Jervaulx Abbey. The Nidderdale AONB is quite large, covering about 233 square miles (600 km2).
The highest point in the Nidderdale AONB is Great Whernside. This peak is 704 metres (2,310 ft) above sea level. It sits right on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. People have lived in this area for over 6,000 years. There is evidence of people living here almost all the time, except for a short period during Roman times.
The AONB is home to many different kinds of wildlife and important natural areas. Over 16,000 people also live here. The only town inside the AONB is Pateley Bridge. Other towns like Otley, Ilkley, Masham, and Ripon are just outside its borders.
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How Nidderdale Became a Special Area
In 1947, a report suggested creating the Yorkshire Dales National Park. It also said that Nidderdale should be protected in a different way. So, Nidderdale was not part of the National Park when it was created in 1954.
Later, in 1963, local councils wanted to add Nidderdale to the National Park. However, other local councils didn't agree. They would have lost some of their control over the area. This idea was discussed for many years. Finally, in 1988, they decided to make Nidderdale an AONB instead.
The AONB was officially created in 1994. Its boundaries are the same today as they were then. This new AONB also included areas like the Washburn Valley. These places had not been considered for National Park status before.
Exploring Nidderdale's Geography
The Nidderdale AONB is made up of several beautiful valleys. Each one has its own unique features and attractions.
Nidderdale Valley
The AONB covers almost all of Nidderdale. Only a small part of the lower valley near Hampsthwaite is not included. In the lower valley, close to Pateley Bridge, you can find Brimham Rocks. These are amazing rock formations. There is also the Coldstones Cut, a large land art sculpture.
Further up the valley, it becomes less populated. Here, you'll find a series of reservoirs. These include Gouthwaite Reservoir, which is a nature reserve. There's also Scar House Reservoir and Angram Reservoir. These reservoirs are surrounded by tall peaks like Great Whernside.
Lower Wharfedale and the Washburn Valley
The southern part of the AONB includes the Washburn Valley. This valley is home to several reservoirs. These are Lindley Wood, Swinsty, Fewston, and Thruscross.
Lower Wensleydale and Side Valleys
The eastern part of the AONB includes valleys like the River Burn. This area also has Colsterdale. You'll also find the valleys of the River Laver and the River Skell.
Two famous old abbeys, Fountains Abbey and Jervaulx Abbey, are within the AONB. Hackfall Wood is another beautiful spot. It sits on the south bank of the River Ure.
Fun Activities in Nidderdale
The Nidderdale AONB is a great place to visit. You can get there by bus from Harrogate to Pateley Bridge. You can also take a train to Harrogate. Major roads like the A1(M) and A61 make it easy to drive to.
Tourism is important for the area. In 2013, visitors spent nearly £35 million here. This helped local businesses and jobs.
Walking is a very popular activity. The AONB website has maps and directions for many walks. You can also try canoeing, kayaking, caving, climbing, and cycling. Fishing and horse riding are also popular.
Two long walking trails pass through the AONB. The Six Dales Trail goes from south to north. The Nidderdale Way goes from southeast to northwest. If you like mountain biking, Upper Nidderdale is a great place for it. Caving is also popular in the Upper Nidderdale caves.
How Nidderdale AONB is Managed
The Nidderdale AONB is managed by local authorities. This is done through a group called the Joint Advisory Committee (JAC). This group includes people from local councils and community groups. They work together to protect and care for the area.
A small team of staff works in Pateley Bridge. They report to the JAC and help manage the AONB day-to-day. The entire AONB is located within North Yorkshire. Most of it is managed by Harrogate Borough Council. Small parts in the north are in the Richmondshire and Hambleton areas.
