Sitting on the bench at the Ben Rhydding nature reserve

Ben Rhydding Nature Reserve

This is a great pushchair friendly mini wander for little legs. Just get exploring!

Because this one is less of a walk and more of a take your time to soak up the great outdoors!

Ben Rhydding Nature Reserve is the PERFECT toddler friendly walk…

You probably wouldn’t even know it was there!

You’ll find it on the edge of the A65, but it’s a fabulous little wander for very young explorers and it is pushchair friendly (UPDATE September 2025: The paths around the reserve are surfaced with hardcore when previously they were mud- sturdy pushchairs should manage it, but be aware it can get muddy off path.)

Despite being next to a busy road, you can lose yourself in the view across the river, and forget the road was even there!

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Thank you for taking the time to have a look at my website and for reading this now!

I set up the Reluctant Explorers and maintain the website and attached social media accounts in my spare time, around mum-life and two jobs. It was designed to provide access for parents to free resources to help get more families outside and exploring in nature. These walks have all been created by myself and the kids and we have walked each one ourselves (and re-walk them regularly to keep the information as up to date as we can).

If you would like to support us and can afford a few pennies, you can make a donation to our ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ page. Simply tap the button below to head there!

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Looking beneath one of the bug doors

Walk details for Ben Rhydding Nature Reserve

Distance: Under 1 mile. Dependant how much exploring you do.

Terrain: Muddy in places in wet weather, but the paths are surfaced with hardcore. Pushchair-able with a sturdy pushchair. This walk is more or less flat the whole way round and is easy to navigate with plenty of stopping spots.

Parking: In the layby outside the entrance to the reserve. OR at Moss and Moor garden centre. They have agreed that if the layby is full, you may use their car park and that’s just next door!

Dog Friendly: yes

Public Transport: Ben Rhydding train station is less than 1 mile walk, there are no nearby bus stops.

Location: Ben Rhydding, next to the A65

Map: OS Explorer 297 Lower Wharfedale and Washburn Valley

What 3 Words: Nature reserve and entrance wealth.clean.soups

Toilets/ Baby Change: Moss and Moor (customers only)

Nearest Cafe/ Amenities: Moss and Moor Garden Centre have a super cafe and facilities. Otherwise after a short drive you’ll hit Ben Rhydding for the Wheatley Arms (family friendly pub).

Sitting on a bench in Ben Rhydding Nature reserve

Directions to Ben Rhydding Nature Reserve

  1. The route into the reserve is clearly signposted on the gate next to the layby.

  2. This one is a choose your own route walk (which makes my life easy!) There are clear identifiable tracks in a circular route around the reserve.

  3. We normally, turn right from the gate, then left after entering the reserve, heading to the riverside path. This circles round the woodland and heads back to the entrance thereafter. The path loosely circles the central large pond.

  4. There are plenty of bench sitting spots to rest tired legs and to refuel!

Last walked September 2025.

For more safety information and top tips head to our dedicated page.

⭐ We hope you enjoy our walks, but please exercise common sense as routes can change with the weather conditions and seasons! The routes have been walked by our own two feet, but you know your own limits. Always take a back-up map, don’t rely on GPS alone, wear appropriate clothing for the weather and take adequate snacks and refreshments with you (although as a parent, I know you already know that bit!)

⭐ Leave no trace! Take nothing away and leave nothing behind, take all rubbish home with you.

Lookin at a fairy door on the Ben Rhydding Nature Reserve

What’s cool for kids on this walk?

💙 You MIGHT spot an otter! They have been seen along the river bank. Keep your eyes peeled for the Otter brass rubbing post to find out where.

✏ Take a crayon and some paper to do all of the brass rubbings available on the reserve! They tell you what you might be able to see whilst you’re there.

✨ There are some fairy doors dotted around.

🐞 There are bug doors to lift and peep under to go on a minibeast hunt! There is also a nature pond where you can spot insects and pondlife.

💜 In late Summer/ Early Autumn there will be blackberries to pick here and in Spring SO MUCH WILD GARLIC (you can smell it from the car as you drive past!)

🌳 Why not try one of our walking games? Or you can download a free scavenger sheet!

White Wells Spa in Ilkley

Want to find more Ilkley Walks?

All of our family friendly walks are arranged in loads of different categories including, waterfall walks, short walks and walks with play parks. So you can find exactly the kind of walk you are looking for!

But if you want to find all the kid friendly Ilkley walks in one place?

Then why not head to our Ilkley Walks section!

Tap here to head to our Ilkley Walks
Tap here to head to our Ilkley Walks

Scroll using the arrows for all our Family Friendly Walks

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