Middlesmoor: Church, cycling route and walking trails

Middlesmoor brings together several distinct travel interests: the architectural history of St Chad’s Church, an all-weather cycling route that climbs into the village, and the Nidderdale Way, a 53-mile circular walking route. Planning also involves the conditions for walking on open-access land. If you are considering Middlesmoor for a hotel stay, these topics can help you shape your trip around the activities that matter to you.

St Chad’s Church: architectural history and traditions

St Chad’s Church is a Grade II listed building. The church was built by Crossland in 1864. It also houses an Anglo-Saxon cross head with double crossbars. The year 1864 and the cross head therefore represent different historical periods: 1864 refers to the church, while the cross head is classified as Anglo-Saxon. Its Grade II listing adds listed-building status to this architectural history. St Chad’s Church thus offers several specific points of interest for anyone interested in architecture and historical details.

St Chad’s is also a “Festival Church”. Services dedicated to rural and local traditions include a “Lambing Service” in May. Alongside the architectural history, a seasonal tradition therefore plays a part. If you want to plan your trip around this service, check the parish’s latest information beforehand: seasonal service dates may change.

Cycling the Tour of Nidderdale

The Tour of Nidderdale is an all-weather cycling route. It follows stony tracks through farmland and small villages, and passes reservoirs. The route climbs to Middlesmoor and then descends back to the reservoir. Both the stony surface and the change from ascent to descent are therefore important features to consider when planning your trip. The description also includes a range of landscape features: farmland, villages and reservoirs. This makes it easier to compare the character of this cycle ride with your own travel plans.

Walking: the Nidderdale Way and open access

The Nidderdale Way is a 53-mile circular walking route that starts and ends in Pateley Bridge. One section runs from Pateley Bridge to Middlesmoor. After climbing to Middlesmoor, the route crosses the moors and then descends a steep path to Scar House Reservoir. The figure of 53 miles refers to the entire circular route; the section to Middlesmoor mentioned here is only part of it. The sequence of ascent, moorland and steep descent describes the route in more detail than its total length alone.

There is also open-access land near Middlesmoor. Walking on this kind of land can be difficult because you are often far from recognised paths. This is a separate planning consideration and should not be confused with the route described for the Nidderdale Way. Keep this distinction in mind when deciding what kind of walk suits your plans: the Nidderdale Way is described as a circular route with a named section, while finding your way across open land can present an additional challenge.

Discover more destinations: Northallerton, Hellifield, Gargrave, Kettlewell, Wigglesworth, Long Preston, Riccall, Low Row.

For the broader travel guide: North Yorkshire.