Brockadale Nature Reserve

Great walks - you can vary them from 30 mins / 1 hour / 2 hours. All circular routes. Car parking is free and if full can park on the road. Some cows and horses so dogs kept on leads. Mix of woodland walking, fields and village. Gorgeous views.

Beautiful walk regardless of the time of year. The circular can be as long or short as you would like it to be, whether it’s just a walk through the woods or the full circular into Little Smeaton Village to call for some refreshments on your walk. Dogs love it, they chase the squirrels in the woods and then go for a swim to cool down.

I have only done a short route here so far (I have plans to come back, definitely!), but it seems that there are various paths to follow. I loved that, although the one I decided to complete was not very difficult, it was not plain and easy either: there were several uphill/downhill moments, muddy puddles with stepping stones to cross, branches or fallen trees to go over, high vegetation grazing your elbows on the sides of narrow paths... I came across some horses, and there were signs warning of birds nesting on the grass, and other farm animals, so, even though walks with dogs are possible, they will have to be kept on a leash some times. The weather was wonderful when I decided to visit this natural reserve, but I only came across a few people. The car park by Leys Lane (free, but with some height restrictions) was full when I left at around 18:00, though, so that might be its peak hour?

Absolutely lovely place. Parking was easy in the car park provided and the narrow country lanes on approach really make you feel like your in countryside. We walk frequently so may have a slight bias to difficulty but for the most part I can't imagine anyone having trouble getting around. There are plenty of tracks to follow with streams, woodland and rolling grass fields. Wildlife wise birds are the majority I'd say from our visits ( including hawks ) but the stream definitely has little fish and there are definitely rabbits and squirrels about.

Lovely nature reserve to walk around. Good walking shoes/boots needed as the terrain is very varied and can be quite slippery if its been raining. But would definitely recommend.