Cool walks for hot weather

When the weather is hot and sunny a bit of shade is more than welcome woodland is in short supply around Addingham. However, I have put some suggestions below which make the most of what shade there is:-

(a) Walk 3 - 'Ilkley and back via Nesfield, Middleton & the Dales Way', from the 'Walks around Addingham' collection, this is by far the shadiest - details HERE

(b) For a short walk (3 miles) around the village I suggest:- From the middle of the village go up Sugar Hill, right along Back Beck Lane, right down the Manor Garth path (NOT the cattle grid) and left over the beck and Bolton Road (with great care).

The shady footpath leads past the ducks on the Sawmill Dam to the Sawmill. Go up Sawmill Lane, left past the Co-op, left down Church Street and slightly left across North Street to the alley leading to the Church Field. It is cooler in the Church if you fancy a look or continue to the end of the field, right over the little Moorside Bridge and left along shady Low Mill Lane.

After Low Mill, it is, unfortunately, more open but go up Old Lane, right along Ilkley Old Road, cross Church Street and continue up Main Street.

(c) A nearby shady walk is along the Wharfe through Strid Woods at Bolton Abbey. From the Cavendish Pavillion, I suggest crossing the river and taking the right-hand footpath through the woods, past the Strid (lots of lovely viewpoints) to the stone aqueduct over the river and back along the other side. A slightly longer option is the continue (in the sunshine, unfortunately) to Barden Bridge where an ice cream van is often waiting for you! In any case, tea or coffee (or more) at the Cavendish Pavilion is a must!

Don't forget to take plenty of water and a sunhat