Stride out and visit 13 of Nidderdale AONB’s talented artist’s on foot this weekend

3rd-4th JUNE and 10th-11th JUNE 2017

NIDDERDALE Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is an inspiring place for walkers and artists alike, with just the right mix of sweeping heather moorland, picturesque villages, valleys lined with a patchwork of wildflower meadows and meandering dry stonewalls. Between the 3rd-4th JUNE and 10th-11th JUNE, as part in this year’s North Yorkshire Open Studios, everyone is invited to take-a-peek into the studios of 13 artists living and working in the NIDDERDALE AONB, while exploring the countryside.

Families can combine a leisurely ramble round the Bewerley Tree Trail (1.25miles) or the Pateley Bridge Heritage Trail (2.5miles) and explore the work of eight local artists based in the market town at the heart of the Nidderdale AONB. For a short accessible walk away from town, the relaxing wooded paths of Fewston Reservoir (4.5miles) or Tree Trail at Blubberhouses (3miles) can be combined with visits to studios in Norwood and in Harrogate.

A day walk round the West Tanfield Circular route (7.5miles) passes studios in Sleningford Old Farm and the small village of Mickley. Alternatively, the Pateley Bridge Circular (9miles) will impress visitors with the stunning geology of Brimham Rocks, passing artists in Fellbeck and returning to Pateley Bridge.

For those seeking a longer stay over one or both weekends, there are two long distance routes to enjoy; the Nidderdale Way (53miles circular) from Pateley Bridge through Upper Nidderdale and back to the castle village of Ripley and open studios in Burnt Yates; or the Ripon Rowel (50miles circular) hugging the banks of the River Ure, passing artists in Masham the home of Theakstons and Black Sheep breweries, Mickley, Markington and Ripon and taking in the impressive ruins Fountains Abbey and Ripon Cathedral on route will not fail to satisfy the keenest walker.

A choice of walking routes are available to download FREE from the Nidderdale AONB website (www.nidderdaleaonb.org.uk) or Visit Harrogate (www.visitharrogate.co.uk). For ideas of things to do in the area, links to food and drink or accommodation providers en route, visit the Upper Nidderdale Landscape Partnership website (www.uppernidderdale.org.uk).

Open studios in Nidderdale AONB: In Mickley: Austin Ruddy. In Fellbeck: Alice Clarke. In Norwood: William Watson West. In Slenningford: Stuart Whitehead, Anna Poulton. In Pateley Bridge: Karen Baron, Annette Jeffery, Maureen Little, Joseph Hayton, Moxon & Simm, Chris Philipson, Dennis Farrell, & Fiona Mazza.