Fisher's Hall

There are several trails you can follow through Hackfall Woods, meandering up and down the hillside and offering surprise views of the river and of various follies, built in the 1700s by the Aislabies when they created this woodland garden. The ruin in the photo below is called Fisher's Hall, probably after William Fisher, one of the Aislabies' gardeners. These 'romantic' follies were designed to attract and delight 18th century visitors, offering places to rest and enjoy the views. One of them, The Ruin, a tiny banqueting hall, has been restored by the Landmark Trust as one of their unusual and historic holiday lets. See HERE.

Hackfall's plantlife

Hackfall Woods were full of bluebells, not quite in full bloom but still very pretty.

Down by the river, kingcups (sometimes called marsh marigolds) made vibrant yellow splashes. 

Ferns were unfolding their little fiddle heads. I vividly recall learning the very complicated life cycle of ferns in school biology. Quite astonishing. 

Young beeches seem reluctant to part with their leaves, now faded to a dark, metallic bronze, until the new shoots unfurl. 

Numerous little brooks tumble down the hillside into the river, through a miniature world of lichens and mosses, ferns and serpentine fronds of tiny leaves. 

Hackfall Woods

Hackfall Woods was a new area for me to explore. About 30 miles from Saltaire, just south of Masham in lower Wensleydale, the River Ure winds its way through a gorge. It appears to be a natural landscape but was in fact largely designed in the 1700s by the Aislabies, who were also responsible for creating the landscape and water gardens at nearby Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal. They turned an existing semi-ancient woodland into a pleasure garden, with surprise views, follies, a lake and fountains. It was popular with tourists in Victorian times and then fell into decline. Logging operations in the 1930s destroyed some of the trees. It was rescued in the 1980s by the Woodland Trust and the newly formed Hackfall Trust, who have spent much time and money, including a large Heritage Lottery grant, to rescue and restore it into what is now a Grade 1 listed wild garden. It still doesn't seem all that well-known. I've lived in Yorkshire for years and only recently discovered it. 

From just beyond the car park, there are wonderful views, with Mowbray Castle (one of several follies) peeking through the trees. At this time of year, it's noticeable how some trees are well cloaked in leaves whilst others are just beginning to green up. 

Down by the river, there are a few areas of sandy beach with evidence of 'landscaping' not only by the Aislabies but by the forces of water and nature, and the attentions of today's visitors.