Location:
Near Buckden, Upper Wharfedale
Map:
Ordnance Survey Explorer Map OL30 - Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central areas
Description:
The Upper Wharfedale Estate is owned and managed by the National Trust in partnership with local farmers. It consists of 2,670 hectares covering some of the area from Kettlewell to Buckden and Buckden to Oughtershaw. Parts of the estate are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), or protected by Limestone Pavement Orders (LPO).
The estate is one of the best places to see rivers and streams, calcareous grasslands, ancient semi-natural woodlands and some moorland habitats in the National Park. The River Wharfe and its tributaries have a prominent place in this glacial valley and provide a home, above the water, for bird species such as goosander, kingfisher and grey wagtail. The shingle beaches are a good place to see oystercatchers and below the water, the fish species bullhead and brown trout live. Calcareous grassland in Upper Wharfedale between Buckden and Cray is a good place to see the common blue and northern brown argus butterfly. In early summer yellow wagtails may be seen perched on walls adjacent to species-rich hay meadows such as those found in Langstrothdale between Buckden and Oughtershaw. Ash woodland with an understorey dominated by hazel is often seen growing out of scree below limestone scars, and blanket bog is found on the flat-topped moors. Wading birds such as curlew and lapwing are supported by the full mosiac of these habitats.
Access and facilities:
There is a network of public rights of way including the Dales Way and Open Access land through the Upper Wharfedale Estate, as shown on the Ordnance Survey map mentioned above. In addition, there are some bridleways and several quiet lanes. There are Yorkshire Dales National Park car parks available in Kettlewell and Buckden and there is a local bus service which covers part of the area. Furthermore, the National Trust has produced a wildlife walk leaflet which is available to download below.
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