Area Guide

Lofthouse is a small traditional Yorkshire village north of Pateley Bridge and the Gouthwaite Reservoir, south of Middlemoor in the heart of the area of natural beauty, Nidderdale.

The village is home to one pub, The Crown, which offers a warm welcome with traditional Yorkshire grub and locally brewed Black Sheep and Daleside beer always on draught.

How Stean Gorge

Close to Lofthouse is the very popular outdoor activity centre, How Stean Gorge. The Gorge itself is an impressive limestone passage totalling 1 km in length with steep rocky sides up to 20 metres deep. If you want to stay firmly on your feet there are a number of walks and caves to explore, but for the not so vertically challenged amongst us there is the new Via Ferrata, the second UK aerial route of fixed beams, ladders and cables which gives you access to areas you wouldn’t normally be able to reach.

There are also lots of other activities such as canoeing, kayaking, caving, rock climbing available at How Stean Gorge, but of course, if you are not feeling too adventurous you can just pay the admission to view the gorge itself.

Leighton Reservoir

The popular fishing destination, Leighton Reservoir, is around 5 miles from Lofthouse. The reservoir is 100 acres and up to 100 feet deep in certain places and sits 800 feet above sea level. You must purchase a fishing permit from the hut which is on the roadside as you approach the reservoir. Leighton Reservoir has a good reputation for big fish, but it also has a reputation for being extremely windy due to the location and size of the exposed water. However if you can endure the wind you will not be disappointed by the views that surround the reservoir.