Rutter Wood

Wood, Forest in Yorkshire Richmondshire

England

Rutter Wood

Old limekiln at Middle Bank Credit: Chris Holifield

Rutter Wood is a quaint and picturesque woodland located in the county of Yorkshire, England. Situated near the village of Rutter, this forested area spans across an expansive 100 acres of land. Known for its natural beauty, Rutter Wood attracts numerous visitors throughout the year, including nature enthusiasts, hikers, and birdwatchers.

The woodland is characterized by its diverse range of tree species, including oak, birch, beech, and pine, which create a rich and vibrant ecosystem. The dense canopy formed by these trees provides a cool and tranquil environment, ideal for those seeking a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Rutter Wood is also home to an array of wildlife, making it a haven for animal lovers and nature photographers. Deer, foxes, and rabbits are commonly spotted within the woodland, adding to its charm and allure. Birdwatchers can also enjoy the melodious songs of various avian species, such as woodpeckers, owls, and thrushes.

For outdoor enthusiasts, Rutter Wood offers a network of well-maintained footpaths and trails, providing opportunities for leisurely walks and invigorating hikes. These pathways wind through the forest, offering glimpses of stunning vistas and allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Overall, Rutter Wood in Yorkshire is a hidden gem, offering a serene escape into nature. Its enchanting woodland, diverse flora and fauna, and ample recreational opportunities make it a cherished destination for locals and tourists alike.

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Rutter Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.386002/-2.0807133 or Grid Reference SD9498. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Old limekiln at Middle Bank

Chris Holifield

Botcher Gill

Chris Holifield

Drystone wall at Middle Bank

Chris Holifield

Formerly enclosed pasture at Middle Bank

David Robinson

Gunnerside Gill track below Winterings Scar

This bridleway from Blades into Gunnerside Gill is excellent going for a mountain bike, as well as on foot, but if one is doing a round trip over Melbecks Moor by bike, the track that ascends behind the lime kiln (technically only a public footpath) is a far safer option than the bridleway in the steep and rocky Bunton Hush that would be the legal way of doing it.

Andy Waddington

Wall, footpath and bracken

Above Gunnerside Beck

John H Darch

Ruined mine building

Adjacent to Gunnerside Beck.

John H Darch

Bridge over Ashpots Gutter

This very finely crafted bridge, over what is quite frankly a tiddler of a stream, has been built for grouse shooting parties on the Gunnerside Estate, but is handily placed at the point where a PROW crosses the moor.

Matthew Hatton

Path on Winterings Pasture

David Brown

Groove of Ash Pot Gutter

Ash Pot Gutter is a minor stream feeding water into Mill Gill, itself a tributary of the River Swale. The pale twigs are stems of dead heather, probably burnt by the owning estate as part of their management of the grouse moor; new growth is coming through.

Trevor Littlewood

Path erosion at Middle Bank

At this point a minor landslip has taken out the wall and part of the path above it. Over the last five years this has developed from a minor gap of no more than a couple of metres to one that is now nearer 15m in length. The farmer has plugged the gap with mesh fencing, whilst the walked path is gradually moving uphill. Just one of several path problems in and around Gunnerside Gill.

Gordon Hatton

Ash Pot Gutter draining east from the Melbecks Moor track

This track is obviously still of importance to someone long after the demise of lead mining on the moor which was the original raison d'être for most of the rights of way up here, since Ash Pot Gutter crosses it by a recent-looking and substantial concrete ford. There's maybe a quarter square kilometre of catchment at this point where a number of small sikes have coalesced to form a single stream which has only one tributary, on its right bank, all the way down to its confluence with Old Gang Beck a little over a kilometre from this point.

Andy Waddington

Gunnerside Beck

David Martin

Restoration at the Sir Francis Mine

The masonry at the air tank near the Sir Francis Mine remains seems to have been recently consolidated. This appears to be an ongoing project at Gunnerside Gill.

Karl and Ali

Gunnerside Gill

View from the east side of the gill, just south of the Barbara Level. Across the gill, Botcher Gill is on the left and the spoil from Dolly Lead Level can be seen on the right.

Ian Taylor