Round Howe and Billy Bank Woods trail
This trail explores the banks of the River Swale and the rough pasture behind Round Howe. The circular trail takes in fields of wild flowers, steep hills cloaked in historic woodland, and views of Richmond. It's perfect for families as there's open space for playing, plenty of places for riverside picnics, and prime spots for skimming stones.
Rising water levels
The River Swale can rise very quickly after heavy rainfall. Its name comes from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Sualuae', which means 'rapid and liable to deluge' and it's been said that the Swale 'rushesh rather than runneth'.
Total steps: 5
Total steps: 5
Start point
Round Howe car park, Reeth Road, Richmond, DL10 4TJ. Grid ref: NZ159009
Step 1
Head south out of the car park and across the bridge over the River Swale before turning left through a gate at the far end. Continue along a rough surfaced path surrounded by trees, with the river on your left. You'll eventually emerge onto more open grassland.
Step 2
Bear left along a grassy path. Keep the river on your left as you continue along the path that skirts the edge of the pasture along the riverside.
Step 3
As the river takes a sharp right turn, you'll see a pebble beach in front of you. Standing with the pebble beach behind you, continue along the diagonal path that crosses the pasture to the woodland edge, where there's another kissing gate. Don't go through the gate.
Step 4
Billy Bank Wood climbs steeply on your left. Don't enter the wood, but follow the footpath back through the pasture, keeping the wood and craggy cliffs on your left. Just before you rejoin the path on which you walked from the footbridge you can bear left and follow a smaller path branching to the south west, this sometimes muddy track follows the grassland and runs between Round Howe Wood (to the left) and Round Howe, the steep conical wooded hill on the right.
Step 5
This path continues in the little valley around the steep-sided Round Howe through flowery grassland and alongside massive hazel trees that grow on old medieval field boundaries. You'll soon rejoin the riverside path. Cross back over the footbridge that will take you to the car park and the end of the trail.
End point
Round Howe car park, Reeth Road, Richmond, DL10 4TJ. Grid ref: NZ159009.
Trail map
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