The Druid’s Temple in North Yorkshire is not exactly as it appears. This Stonehenge inspired-stone circle is actually a Victorian folly! This guide will show you all the things to do on a visit that you don’t want to miss!
This guide includes how to get to The Druid’s Temple, a history of the folly, what to do there and where to stay in the area.
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What is The Druid’s Temple?
The Druid’s Temple is a unique folly in Nidderdale in the Yorkshire Dales. It consists of a series of stone formations and archways set in a circular layout.
Although The Druid’s Temple clearly takes inspiration from Druidism and other stone circles such as Stonehenge, it is unlikely it was built for any religious purposes. Instead, it was built as a folly and a means of alleviating some of the local unemployment.
Who built Druid’s Temple?
It is believed that William Danby commissioned The Druid’s Temple in the early 1800s. He was the owner of the Swinton Estate and Swinton Park at the time.
Although it wasn’t built for religious purposes, it was constructed during a time of significant interest in Druidism during the early Romantic period. It is even rumored that Danby hired a hermit to live at the ruin for several years!
Where is The Druid’s Temple?
The Druid’s Temple is located on the Swinton Estate, close to the village of Ilton in North Yorkshire. It is an 11-minute drive from Masham, 30 minutes from Ripon or 45 minutes north of Harrogate.
The estate is nestled in the beautiful Nidderdale countryside. Nidderdale is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Although technically one of the many Yorkshire Dales, it doesn’t form part of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, which it borders.
How to find The Druid’s Temple
As with many places in the Yorkshire Dales, public transport is scarce. The easiest way to get to The Druid’s Temple via public transport would be to take a bus or train to Masham then get a taxi from there.
Alternatively, you can drive directly to the folly. Simply navigate to Swinton Bivouac (HG4 4JZ) and there is parking indicated for The Druid’s Temple before you enter the main car park. Please note that there is an honesty box and a recommended contribution of £3 (at time of publication) for the upkeep of the car park and footpaths.
Things to do at The Druid’s Temple
Here is a list of the top things to do at The Druid’s Temple on your visit. Don’t miss the opportunity to explore all the sights in the area during your visit. This list will help you get the most out of your trip.
Admire The Druid’s Temple
When visiting The Druid’s Temple, you will obviously want to set aside time to explore the folly. The circle(ish) structure is 100 feet long and some of the stones stand 10 feet tall. The construction also features a sacrificial altar and a tomb.
It doesn’t take long to walk around the temple, but you will want to spend time admiring the unusual structure and the hidden nooks and crannies. The temple is built in a quiet clearing in the woodland and although it wasn’t built for worship, it does have a peaceful and reflective atmosphere.
See The Druid’s Temple From Above
For a unique view of The Druid’s Temple from above, follow the path around the side of the stone circle and climb the hill. There is a bench at the top where you can sit and admire the unique folly in the peaceful surroundings.
Walk the Circular Trail
The Druid’s Temple is a beautiful place for walking. The site has clearly marked routes for you to enjoy. There is a 2k circular route (green waymarked route) which loops around with the temple sat in the centre. It is a scenic woodland trail with many picturesque spots.
Cycle the Trails
If you prefer, you can enjoy the woodland trails on two wheels. Cyclists can also enjoy the circular trail, as well as a 2.5k fun track and a 4k enduro track. These routes are also clearly marked in blue and red respectively. Take care on the green route as it is shared with pedestrians.
If you want to see The Druid’s Temple, you are required to dismount and push your bike a short distance along the footpaths leading to the temple.
Take in the Views From the Viewpoint
If you continue to follow the path past The Druid’s Temple it will lead you to the beautiful viewpoint. Sit and admire the sweeping views over the sprawling Swinton Estate. The view frames the peaceful Leighton Reservoir, surrounded by hills and moors. It a beautiful spot to simply soak up the silence and the scenery.
Look Out For the Rock Formations
The stone circle isn’t the only unique formation in the woods. As you take a stroll around, keep an eye out for other unique sights and collections. But make sure you admire them from a distance, you are not permitted to climb the formations.
Leave A Stone For the Rock Troll
At one spot on the walking route, you will encounter the home of the Rock Troll. There is a sign sharing some information about the Rock Troll, and visitors are encouraged to leave a small rock or stone to him every time they pass.
Where to Stay at The Druid’s Temple
A visit to The Druid’s Temple is just half of the experience. If you want to enjoy your visit to the full, enjoy a luxury glamping experience on the site.
Swinton Bivouac offer relaxing stays in either a yurt or a lodge. Depending on your chosen accommodation, your stay comes with the added perks of cozy fire pits, tipis, hot tubs, outdoor seating and more. It is the perfect place to enjoy a quiet retreat in the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales.
Things To Know About Visiting The Druid’s Temple
Before you go to The Druid’s Temple, here are some important things you need to know.
- Pack bug spray. I’ve never had any issues with bugs anywhere I’ve visited before, but The Druid’s Temple wood was a different story! To avoid being eaten alive, this bug spray should be at the top of your packing list!
- If you’re just visiting the temple, there are specific parking spaces indicated before you turn into the main car park, which is for accommodation guests only. There is an honesty box at the entrance to the main car park with a suggested fee to help maintain the site and paths. Take cash to ensure you can contribute to this.
- Finally, make sure you download a map of the trails ahead of your visit. The trails are clearly indicated so you may not need one, but I like to have one on hand just in case.
Before You Go
If you’re ready to explore The Druid’s Temple for yourself, be sure to bookmark this page or pin it using the link below so you can revisit this guide!
If you want to discover more hidden gems in the county, you can find the complete Hidden Yorkshire series here.
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Until our next adventure,
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Hello, I’m Hannah! I’m a writer and photographer who loves experiencing the wonders of Yorkshire. My guides will help you escape from your daily routine by showing you that you don’t have to go far to find an adventure.
How fascinating, beautiful and peaceful. Would love to explore Druid’s Temple in North Yorkshire.
The Druid’s Temple is certainly a fascinating and peaceful place! We had a beautiful day exploring the trails and soaking up the scenery. I hope you get an opportunity to visit!
What an amazing place in Yorkshire, hidden gem indeed! It’s been added to my list when I get home to the UK
The Druid’s Temple is a great hidden gem! I hope you get an opportunity to visit soon!
I really regret not exploring more of England when I studied abroad. There’s so many cool and beautiful places littered around. This would have been way more enjoyable to see than Stonehenge haha. The entire area looks beautiful.
There are so many wonderful spots to explore in England, aren’t there? Even after a lifetime here I’m still discovering more! I’ve never actually visited Stonehenge but The Druid’s Temple had virtually no other visitors there which was nice! I’d still love to visit Stonehenge one day though! I hope you get a chance to see The Druid’s Temple!
So fun that the Druids Temple is similar to Stonehenge but created solely as a folly. We would definitely want to head high and get a view from above. And leave a stone for the Rock Troll.
The Druid’s Temple is such an interesting place! I love finding quirky follies to visit! The view from above is stunning! And of course, you don’t want to leave without gifting a stone to the Rock Troll! Thanks for reading!
So fascinating! I learned so much from reading your post.
I’m so glad you learned a lot Michelle! The Druid’s Temple is such a fascinating place!
It looks so peaceful. Would love to spend a calm few hours there! Interesting that it was Druid inspired but not for religious purpose
The Druid’s Temple is the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon! The history is so fascinating too!
I had never heard of the Druid’s Temple before, but it looks like such a pretty spot to spend the day and explore! I love how creative the former owner was to build something like this.
The Druid’s Temple is definitely well hidden but it is worth seeking out and exploring! We had a wonderful day walking the trails and exploring the site. It definitely took some creativity to dream this place up!
This looks like a fascinating place! It’s definitely somewhere I would want to explore in Yorkshire.
The Druid’s Temple is definitely an intriguing spot. I’ve never visited anywhere like it! I hope you get an opportunity to explore it in person!
Yorkshire is a beautiful county. I loved visiting the follies in England but, unfortunately, missed this one. When next I visit England, I’ll be sure to leave a stone for the troll. An informative and detailed guide. Thank you for sharing.
I always find follies such interesting places. They usually have such a fascinating story behind them! We’re lucky to have so many beautiful and quirky ones throughout Yorkshire. I hope you’re able to visit and leave a stone for the troll soon! Thank you for reading!
You always seem to find the most fun and amazing adventures. Looks like such a cool place to visit
Haha I’m glad you think so! My partner would agree with you, he’s always amazed about the places I manage to unearth! The Druid’s Temple is a beautiful and peaceful spot well worth exploring. I’m glad I stumbled across it!
What a beautiful and magical place! I’m always intrigued to see unusual or circular stone formations and the history behind them. Sitting down to take in the surrounding forest and the stone circle looks so peaceful. I’m definitely adding the Druid Temple to my list!
The Druid’s Temple is a really unique sight! And I think the fact that it is more modern than it appears makes the history even more interesting! It was a really peaceful place to visit. I hope you get an opportunity to see it in person soon!
Druid’s temple is a true hidden Yorkshire! I love those circular trails and cycling trails. The views look awesome with the estate and reservoir in the background. I am bookmarking your blog for reference when I explore Yorkshire. 🙂
I’m surprised more people don’t know about Druid’s Temple! It is a lovely spot to explore! The trails were fun to explore and well maintained. It’s certainly a great place for a day trip when you’re next in the area!
The Druid’s Temple looks so interesting, and how beautiful is that viewpoint! Thanks for introducing me to this awesome site
The Druid’s Temple is a really interesting spot. I love finding quirky places to explore! The viewpoint is stunning! I could have admired the view all day! I hope you get an opportunity to visit and see it in person!
Awesome post! I love the idea of the rock troll haha!
The Rock Troll is such a fun idea! It’s a great way of getting stones off the bike track too! I’m glad we stumbled across the trolls!
That is indeed a hidden place! I had never heard of it till now even if I have been to the area many times! Excellent post thank you so much for sharing this!
Druid’s Temple is certainly a hidden gem! Given how many people visit Nidderdale, I’m surprised it isn’t considered more of a tourist attraction! I hope you get an opportunity to visit for yourself! Thanks for reading!
Wow! The Druids Temple is absolutely stunning! It gives me such Outlander vibes! I’d love to spend the afternoon exploring and having a stroll around it. Fantastic post!
The Druid’s Temple is such an interesting place! I loved that we practically had the whole place to ourselves. I loved strolling around the different routes and spotting all of the cool rock formations! Thanks for reading!
What an unusual folly Druids Temple is! My favorite part is the view from the view point, that looks like a picture perfect postcard!
It is a unique folly, isn’t it? The view from the view point is so picturesque. I could have sat in that spot and admired the scenery all day!
Druids Temple looks like a great place to visit! I also love your photos & your beautiful dress 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Druid’s Temple really is a wonderful spot to explore! In all honesty, I somewhat regretted the dress while being eaten alive by bugs! It’s definitely one that requires bug spray! Thanks for reading!
It looks so beautiful and magical there! I love places like this, it seems like you’re in another world!
Druid’s Temple is definitely a magical spot! It felt like such an otherworldly place, there were hardly any other visitors too which really added to the atmosphere!
Something I’m just now thinking about/noticing – a lot of UK and Ireland places are named after fantasy things! I know there are places elsewhere, but it seems a lot more common there! I wonder why (or maybe I’m just seeing it more and that’s not true at all!). Anyway, I love the new stop for my list 🙂
I’d never really thought about it but I guess that is very true! I think The UK and Ireland has such a culture of folktales and fantasy, so it isn’t surprising we have such an obsession with fantastic places! The Druid’s Temple is a wonderful spot, I definitely recommend a visit!
Wow that’s so cool! It really does look like Stonehenge but it’s so pretty how it’s in the forest and without the tour groups. Love the photo of you in the cave as well. This place gives of an eerie but dreamy vibe, definitely want to go.
Eerie but dreamy is the perfect way to describe the Druid’s Temple! It has such a mystical vibe that’s kind of strange but also peaceful at the same time. Itis such a unique place! I hope you get an opportunity to visit!
Follys are so awesome (and so strange!) I quite love older ones like this, as it makes them seem like real ancient stones. Pretty cool that he hired a hermit to live in it too.
It looks like a place where you can imagine fairies popping out from around the rock formations. It must be fabulous for bringing kids!
I love follies too! I think they’re so interesting and usually have a fascinating history! The Druid’s Temple would be a lovely place for families to visit. The walks and bike trails are very family friendly. Kids would love the magical atmosphere!
What a fun, fanciful thing to do! Though I’d love to see some real henges and other archaeological sites in the UK, this looks like it’s also an interesting outing with beautiful views.
The Druid’s Temple was certainly a fun day out and the walks in the area are beautiful! I’d love to visit the actual Stonehenge one day, I bet that is also an incredible experience!
Very beautiful temple, Would love to visit them someday during my Holiday.
Druid’s Temple is a beautiful spot, I hope you get an opportunity to visit!