Between Wath and Ramsgill, Nidderdale, North Yorkshire

Gouthwaite Reservoir

Reservoir

Place photograph

6.4

Wildland

2–3 hours for the circular walk

Time

Check

Cost

Peaceful

Feel

LakesideValleyHillsRemote countrysideWalkersWildlife loversPhotographers

Why it's Wildland

6.4

Built around 1900 on the site of Gouthwaite White Hall, the reservoir now sits among the rolling hills of Nidderdale and is recognised as a nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The reservoir’s shoreline walk combines open water, rolling Nidderdale hills and wildlife interest, with a route that also passes Ramsgill and Wath. The full circuit is rewarding but includes road walking, including a section described as carrying fast traffic.

Peaceful · Big-sky · Wild

Find your way

Open map

Between Wath and Ramsgill, Nidderdale, North Yorkshire

Opening map…

Explore around here Get directions

Know this place a little better?

Add photos Add video Add a waypoint Improve information Report a change

The experience

Choose a short visit for a reservoir viewpoint or shoreline stroll, or allow roughly 2–2.5 hours for the 5.9-mile circuit. The full loop includes road walking; an out-and-back to the dam is described as an alternative, though it adds about 50% to the distance.

Things to do

Walk the reservoir circuit

Follow the described loop around the water, linking the shoreline with Ramsgill, the River Nidd, the dam and Wath. The route includes road walking; take care around traffic.

2–2.5 hours

Look for birds and waterfowl

The reservoir is described as a nature reserve and Site of Special Scientific Interest, with opportunities for birdwatching and spotting other wildlife.

Notice the route’s village and river connections

The circular walk passes Ramsgill, crosses the River Nidd and continues towards Wath, making the landscape more varied than a simple shoreline out-and-back.

Make a day of it

Quick escape · Under 1 hour

Quick reservoir visit

01
Use a current, confirmed access point and take in the reservoir views from an available public viewpoint or path.
02
Spend a short while watching the water and looking for birds; do not enter the water without explicit permission.

Half day · 2–2.5 hours; 5.9 miles

Walk the Gouthwaite Reservoir circuit

01
Start from the western-bank car park on Wath Road described by the route source; confirm the start and parking arrangements before setting out.
02
Follow the circular route around the reservoir, passing Ramsgill and crossing the River Nidd before continuing along the eastern bank towards the dam.
03
Take particular care on road sections, especially the reservoir road, which the route source warns can have fast traffic.
04
Consider the described out-and-back option to the dam if avoiding part of the circuit’s road walking; note that this adds approximately 50% to the distance walked.

Verified history

Gouthwaite Reservoir was built around 1900 on the site of Gouthwaite White Hall, described by the route source as an Elizabethan manor house. The same source says Gouthwaite Hall was later rebuilt and is now a Grade II listed building. The walking route also passes a 12th-century church and the 18th-century Yorke Arms in Ramsgill.

Hidden details

The reservoir replaced an Elizabethan manor site — The reservoir was built around 1900 on the site of Gouthwaite White Hall. The route source also notes that Gouthwaite Hall was later rebuilt and is Grade II listed.

The full circuit includes a traffic-sensitive stretch — The route source specifically warns that the road beside the reservoir can carry fast traffic. This is an important detail to factor into route choice and timing.

When to go

· No source-backed best time of day; choose conditions that give good visibility and allow careful navigation of road sections.

The supplied sources establish wildlife and birdwatching interest but do not identify reliable seasonal peaks.

Check the forecast and route conditions before setting out. Take particular care on road sections, especially the reservoir road, which the route source warns can have fast traffic.

The route

ascent: 288 ft
stiles: Check before visiting
surface: Road, fields and waterside sections; detailed surface conditions not specified
distance: 5.9 miles
duration: 2–2.5 hours
difficulty: Moderate
waymarking: Check before visiting
route shape: Loop
start point: Car park on Wath Road on the western bank, according to AllTrails; confirm the precise start before travel.
parking start: AllTrails describes a car park on Wath Road on the western bank. Tripadvisor mentions another car park near the northern end opposite a viewing-platform entrance. Confirm which access point suits your route and check current arrangements.
shorter alternative: The AllTrails description suggests an out-and-back to the dam at the eastern end, or to the pub a short distance farther; it notes this adds approximately 50% to the distance walked. It also suggests starting in Wath to use public footpaths along the reservoir and avoid road walking at the beginning.

Reservoir shoreline
Ramsgill and its 12th-century church
River Nidd crossing
Dam at the southern end
Wath

Worth pairing with

Ramsgill

A village on the circular route, with a 12th-century church and the 18th-century Yorke Arms mentioned by the route source. Check access and current opening details independently.

Wath

The walk finishes through Wath; the route source mentions a pub there for refreshments. Check current opening and service details before visiting.

What to look for

Watch for waterfowl and other wildlife, the reservoir shoreline and the dam. On the circular walk, notice how the route moves between waterside, fields, the River Nidd and the villages of Ramsgill and Wath.

The story

Reservoir built around 1900 on the site of Gouthwaite White Hall; Ramsgill also has a 12th-century church and an 18th-century manor house, according to the route source.

Best time to go

Check conditions before setting out; route sources describe wildlife and birdwatching interest but do not establish a specific peak season.

Choose a clear, calm period for the reservoir views and allow extra care on the road sections. No source establishes a best time of day.

How long to spend

2–3 hours for the circular walk

Perfect for

Walkers · Wildlife lovers · Photographers

Before you go

Google Maps

Address

Harrogate

Google rating

4.2 · 20 reviews

Practical information

Opening & access

A reservoir and nature reserve with a circular walking route described by route sources. Check current access and local signage before visiting.

Check before visiting

Parking

A Tripadvisor review mentions a car park near the reservoir’s northern end, opposite a viewing-platform entrance. The AllTrails route starts from a car park on Wath Road on the western bank. Check current parking arrangements before travel.

Check before visiting

Toilets

Check before visiting

Food & drink

The route description mentions a pub in Wath and the Yorke Arms in Ramsgill; check current opening and service details before visiting.

Check before visiting

Dogs

Check before visiting

Accessibility

The circular walk is described as moderate and includes road walking, fields and waterside sections. Check route conditions and suitability before setting out.

Check before visiting

Cost

Check before visiting

Water

Reservoir