Walk of the Month – Oxenber Woods

Where to wander this month: Oxenber Woods

April’s Walk of the Month is the Oxenber Woods circular route. This scenic walk takes you through the Oxenber & Wharfe woods that looks magnificently over the nearby town of Austwick. The area is a site of special scientific interest and a special area of conservation so there is a real variety of plant and wildlife to enjoy whilst you roam the paths and fields from Austwick to Feizor and back.

These historic woods are grazed by cattle and sheep to help maintain the rich diversity of plants surviving in these limestone soils. The woodland is mainly Ash, Hazel and Hawthorn with Dog’s Mercury and Wood Sorrel on the woodland floor. Nestled within the woodlands are several areas of limestone pavement, home to specially adapted plants such as Lesser Meadow-rue, Green Spleenwort, Mountain Melick and Hart’s tongue Fern.

Spring is the ideal time to enjoy this walk as the woodlands come to life with a magnitude of wild flowers, most dominantly the Bluebell.

If you want to make a day of it then Austwick is a beautiful Yorkshire Dales village that is well worth a visit. Keep reading to find  our suggested routes to help you plan your day. There are 2 eating estalishments in Austwick – The Game Cock & The Traddock. Both of which serve excellent food. Along the way you will come across Elaine’s Tea Room at Feizor, which is an ever popular spot amongst walkers. This delightful cafe serves a daily menu with lunchtime favourites as well as sandwiches and a selection of homemade cakes to be enjoyed inside or outside.

Here you can find a copy of the route printed by the Cravan Herald in 2013, which is still very accurate today. Walking Britain also have a great Loop which starts from Langcliffe and you can find that here.  Where2Walk also have a great route and you can find that here.

We hope you enjoy your Austwick adventure and get the spring flowers in all their glory.