North Yorkshire, part two - Hackfall

Hackfall is a Grade l listed garden, managed by the Woodland Trust and Hackfall Trust who have cleared out dead wood, managed the trees and restored paths.  There's still a long way to go but there is plenty to see and some wonderful walks to take (although a bit steep in places).

First mentioned in the Doomsday Book (1086) Hackfall has changed hands many times and has been used for forestry, stone quarries and a watermill (for flour).

There are four listed buildings (Grade II) on the site: a Banqueting House, Fishers Hall, Mowbray Castle and a Rustic Temple.  The Banqueting House (below) has been restored and is available as a holiday cottage but the other buildings remain as ruins.

Fishers Hall (below) is a curiosity, as it's not known whether the hall takes its name from a person or from being used as a resting place by fishermen using the nearby river.  Tufa stone has been used for this building - a porous limestone found near mineral springs. 

Hackfall is free to visit and maps (also free) are placed near the entrance for visitors' use.  Walking books or sensible shoes are highly recommended for the steep banks.