This is a new 17.5 mile walk that joins up the magnificent gardens created by the Aislabies 250 years ago. It starts at the glorious Studley Royal water gardens, passes Fountains Abbey, Aldfield Spa and through Galphay. Next it heads North to the beautiful Braithwaite Hall and Grewelthorpe before passing through Hackfall. Hackfall is a fantastic woodland garden with follies and a gravity fed fountain that has recently undergone a £1 million renovation. The views here are magnificent. After Hackfall you take the Ripon Rowell walk through Mickley Barras before heading off towards Azerley. The walk finishes with a stroll through the Deer Park at Studley Royal.
The route is not particularly challenging (compared with hill walking for example) but there are gates and styles to negotiate and 17.5 miles is a pretty long walk for one day. It is possible to take shorter routes by using the described cross paths.

www.aislabiewalk.org.uk/
There's a free downloadable guide to the walk and hard copies are available in libraries, pubs, shops and other outlets in the area.
Google map: bit.ly/J8tiGZ

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Hackfall Wood is located deep in a ravine near with a churning river at the bottom. What makes it really different, though, is the follies which were dotted around the landscape by William Aislabie, son of the creator of the nearby Fountains Abbey garden, in the 18th century. They have recently been restored - but only partly which leaves the place with an air of mystery so that it feels like you're discovering it for the first time. At twilight on an autumn day it's magical - and more than a little spooky.

Grewelthorpe near Ripon
www.hackfall.org.uk/
Google map: bit.ly/bGGzPW

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In the middle of the beautiful North Yorkshire countryside, the twin attractions of this world heritage site are the perfect day out. The beautiful ruins of the cistercian abbey are a lovely walk from the lake and gardens of Studley Royal with its rolling deer park. Indulge your inner Regency bourgeois.

Fountain's Abbey, Studley Royal, North Yorkshire. A few miles west of Ripon, or 10 miles north of Harrogate (30 from Leeds). Off the B6265 and close to the A61.

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Amazing labyrinth of connected follies and underground passages dreamed up by a retired diplomat who owns the local moorland estate. It's just frightening enough for older pre-teens and the little ones will be OK if you hold their hand tightly. Teenagers will be thrilled with the weird break from wholesome walking, checking out ruined abbeys etc. The surrounding countryside is stunning.

Yorskshire dales, not too far from Ripon.
www.yorkshirenet.co.uk/theforbiddencorner

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