Druid's Temple and Ilton from Swinton Park
North Yorkshire
This 12.9km circuit sets out from the gates of Swinton Park, a country house estate near Masham, where dogs cross open farmland and moor grazed by livestock on a lead, and follows the Ripon Rowel long distance path west towards Roomer Common, an earthwork thought to have started as a prehistoric or Roman marching camp. The route crosses open moor and farmland with views over Leighton Reservoir, Colsterdale and Masham Moor, before climbing through woodland to the Druid's Temple, a folly built around 1820 by William Danby of Swinton Park, its standing stones, dolmens and replica burial chamber deliberately built to look centuries older than they are. The walk continues through the village of Ilton, past Quarry Gill Bridge, before returning to Swinton Park. Underfoot is quiet lanes, well signed field and moor paths, and one short steep climb.
This is a dog friendly walk with real off-lead potential in the woods around the Druid's Temple, and the quiet lanes around Ilton are also popular with dogs allowed to range under control. Much of the rest of the route crosses open farmland and moor, where dogs should go on a lead around livestock and any ground nesting birds. There is little standing water on the moorland sections, so carry some for a dog on a longer day out like this one. The Bivouac cafe on the Swinton Estate, near the start and finish, is dog friendly and provides water bowls, a comfortable bed and a chew for visiting dogs.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 12.9 km (8.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Duration
- 4 hr 20 min
- Walk Type
- Historic, Moorland, Woodland
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- Moderate
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- The Bivouac cafe on the Swinton Estate is dog friendly, with water bowls provided.
- Parking
- Roadside parking near the Swinton Park estate gates, Ilton.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Druid's Temple and Ilton from Swinton Park, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
Duck Cottage - Grewelthorpe
Sleeps 2 · 2 dogs · Enclosed garden
from £620 / 7 nights
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All dog friendly stays in North YorkshireDog Friendly Hotels Nearby
The closest dog friendly hotels to Druid's Temple and Ilton from Swinton Park. Every dog fact comes from the hotel's own website.
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All dog friendly hotels in North YorkshireFrequently Asked Questions
Is Druid's Temple and Ilton from Swinton Park dog friendly?
This walk scores 8/10 for dog friendliness and offers a varied 12.9km circuit through woodland, moorland and quiet lanes around the Swinton Park estate near Masham. The Bivouac cafe on the estate, conveniently located near the start and finish, is dog friendly and goes the extra mile — providing water bowls, a comfortable bed and a chew for visiting dogs.
Can dogs be off lead at Druid's Temple and Ilton from Swinton Park?
There's genuine off-lead potential on this route, particularly in the woods around the Druid's Temple, and dogs can also range under control along the quiet lanes around Ilton. That said, much of the route crosses open farmland and moor grazed by livestock, where dogs should be kept on a lead, and you should also be mindful of ground-nesting birds on the moorland sections.
What should I know before visiting Druid's Temple and Ilton from Swinton Park with my dog?
The route includes open farmland and moorland where leads are a must around livestock and ground-nesting birds, as well as one short steep climb through woodland. There's little standing water on the moorland sections, so it's worth carrying water for your dog on what is a fairly long day out at nearly 13km. On the plus side, the Bivouac cafe at Swinton Park is a welcoming stop at the end, with water bowls laid on for dogs.
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