Last Updated on 12/03/2023
You can’t get a Yorkshire gem and better hidden than Rocking Hall. Overlooking a blustery and rural moor, you’ll need good walking boots for this one! Here’s your guide to how to find Rocking Hall so you can enjoy it for yourself.
In this guide you will discover the history of Rocking Hall, where it is and how it got its name. You will also find detailed instruction to locate Rocking Hall and other things to do nearby on your visit.
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Where is Rocking Hall?
Rocking Hall is situated in the rugged moorland known as Rocking Moor near Thruscross, North Yorkshire.
What is Rocking Hall?
Rocking Hall is an early example of a shooting house. It was built in 1758 for the Bolton Abbey Estate. The stone building is made up of two separate rooms, which would have been used by the shooters and beaters.
The hall stands in from of an earlier 17th century farmhouse. This farmhouse has been visited by many distinguished guests, including King George V in 1911.
Why is it called Rocking Hall?
Rocking Hall takes its name from the large ‘rocking stone’ behind the building. Rocking stones are large stones that are balanced in such a way that they can be rocked by hand. Unfortunately, this rocking stone no longer rocks today.
How To Find Rocking Hall
Here is your guide on how to find Rocking Hall. The remote location of the Hall means you will need to prepare yourself for a hike! But the reward of finding Rocking Hall is well worth the effort!
Where to park at Rocking Hall
The most convenient place to park a car near Rocking Hall is at Thruscross Reservoir (HG3 4BB). It is free to park here and the instructions for this Rocking Hall circular walk will start from this location.
Rocking Hall Circular Walk
This Rocking Hall circular walk is a moderate 7-mile (11.2k) trail which will take approximately 4 hours to complete. You will want to pack these hiking essentials to ensure a fun and safe adventure.
The map below was created by Walking Englishman and I strongly recommend you download an offline version of the trail map before your journey. Parts of the route are not obvious paths with limited signposts. The map will help to ensure you stay on the right track an avoid getting lost!
Downloading Your Map
To download the map, follow these steps:
- Download the UK map on Google maps using steps 2 and 3 of these instructions.
- Click on this link to add the route to your UK map.
- If you are using a GPS, follow this link, click the three dots on the red bar and select ‘Download KML’
- You may find it helpful to have paper map with you in case of emergencies. Ordnance Survey map 297 covers the Rocking Moor area. Get yours here before your trip.
Directions to Rocking Hall from Thruscross Reservoir
The trail starts from the Thruscoss Reservoir car park. Next to the car park you will find a signpost for the start of the Washburn Valley Path. You’re going to follow this stepped route downhill, while admiring some picturesque views of the dam as you leave the reservoir behind you.
Once you have descended, continue to follow the track straight ahead. Shortly, you will spot a four-way public footpath sign on your left. Here, turn right and climb the steps in the wall to follow the path up the steep hill to a stile at the top.
Once over the stile, continue uphill across the field. Here, you will find a set of steps climbing to a road.
Cross over the road and you will find a gate to another public footpath slightly to your left. Pass through the gate and follow the track between two farm plots.
How to find Rocking Hall: Directions Continued
At the end of the track, you will find another stone stile. Climb over it, past the farm, and a gaggle of geese! Then continue ahead between the walls.
Eventually, the walled track will open into a field. Cross the field straight ahead before you eventually come to a gate on your right. The route to follow becomes less obvious here. You want to cross the farmland diagonally, passing through a few fields before you come to a gate leading out to the road.
Turn right onto the road and follow it past a couple of houses on your left. You will eventually reach a public footpath on your left-hand side. You will also spot an information board about Barden Moor and Barden Fell.
Pass through the gate and follow the track through a series of fields until you reach a ladder stile over a wall. Over this, this you will find yourself in the moorland.
At this point, the track is clear, and you can follow it straight uphill to Rocking Hall. Depending on how misty it is, you might be able to catch some early glimpses of Rocking Hall perched on top of the hill in the distance.
Arriving at Rocking Hall
As you climb the final hill, you’ll see Rocking Hall perched at the summit. As you get closer you will appreciate just how isolated this building is in the rural surroundings!
The Shooting House
As you approach Rocking Hall, the first thing you will see is the shooting house. For many years, this shelter has been a welcome sight for weary travellers!
You can take refuge from the blustery moorland wind and rain in one of the two outer rooms here. Simply open one of the doors either side of the main entrance. The door to the central part of the building is kept locked.
From the shooting house you can enjoy sweeping views over the moors, looking back at the direction you have come from.
The Rocking Stone
Behind the shooting house you will find the rocking stone, from which Rocking Hall takes its name. Although it no longer rocks today, you can appreciate just how huge these boulders are. When it did rock, it must have been an impressive sight!
The Farmhouse
Finally, behind the rocking stone you will find the farmhouse. When we visited it appeared that the farmhouse is no longer in use, although other articles I’ve read suggest it was still inhabited in recent years. Could you live in such an isolated spot?
Directions from Rocking Hall to Thruscross Reservoir
Initially, navigating your way across the moor can be tricky, as the route is not obvious. Leave Rocking Hall and with the building behind you, head left. You’re on the right path if you pass a series of shooting dens.
Continue heading across the moor in this direction (this is when the map will come in handy!) You should be walking across the moor with a view of Thruscross Reservoir on your right. Eventually you’ll get to a more defined path between the heather which you can follow.
Continue through the heather until you reach a gravel road. Turn right onto the road and follow it until you reach a gate.
Go through gate and follow track. Don’t go as far as the road, instead turn right shortly before the road at as grass path that leads to a wall stile.
Over the stile, go straight through the field to a track. Continue to follow the track to a junction and take the left-hand route through a wooded area.
The final leg!
Follow this track until you join the road. Turn left onto the road and follow it as it curves round towards the left. Here, you will need to turn into the farm entrance, which has a steep embankment to the left, just after the gate. Walk up the embankment to a stile.
Note: the photograph below is taken from the top of the embankment looking backwards towards the road. This shows the direction you will have come from.
Once over the stile, follow the edge field to your right and go around the barn. You will find another stile on the right-hand side at the far side of the field.
When you have cleared this stile, go straight over the field to another step stile. Here, you will find some helpful arrows to guide you! Follow the arrows to the right as they take you around the farmhouse, past the pigsty and on into the next field.
Follow the field path towards the top left corner of the field. It will bring you out to a road. Follow the road downhill until you spot the signpost for the reservoir.
Enter the reservoir grounds as signposted and follow the footpath around the reservoir. This will lead you back to the car park.
Other things to see near Rocking Hall
If you have the energy after your long walk, you can spend some time admiring Thruscross Reservoir. You can follow the footpath all the way round the reservoir to enjoy a 4.5-mile circular loop.
The Lost Village of West End
When Thruscross Reservoir was constructed in the 1960s, it came at a cost. The small village of West End had to be evacuated and flooded. The reservoir was constructed to supply the growing population of Leeds with enough drinking water.
The majority of West End was demolished to make way for the reservoir. But, as you walk the banks, you will see the remains of West End Mill, a flax mill, that is now submerged beneath the waters.
When you visit Thruscross Reservoir, be sure to keep an eye out for the few reminders of the lost village of West End.
Things to remember when visiting Rocking Hall
Before you set out on your adventure to find Rocking Hall, here is some important information you need to know:
- Be sure to pack all your hiking essentials and wear sturdy walking boots. The route is rugged and steep in parts. It is also very rural so you will want all your equipment on hand in case of emergencies.
- Don’t drop your litter. Not only is it bad for the environment, but it could be deadly if it is eaten by the local farm animals.
- Be respectful of the area you are passing through. Stick to the paths and do not disturb the animals.
- Dogs must be kept on a lead. Most of the fields and farmland you will pass through are home to sheep and wildlife.
- You should note that there are no toilet facilities on the walk or at the car park.
Why I love Rocking Hall
Rocking Hall is the definition of a hidden gem in my book. Its isolated location means you REALLY must want to go in search of it! On the whole route, we only saw three other people in four hours. You can’t get much more hidden than that!
If you want to discover more incredible Hidden Yorkshire locations, click here for the complete series.
Before you go
If you’re ready to discover the Rocking Hall, be sure to bookmark this page or pin it so you can revisit this guide!
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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.
Always looking forward to reading about a new Yorkshire hidden gem. We visited Bolton Abbey a few years ago, so we were actually pretty close to Rocking Hall and your hiking route. Will definitely follow your guide next time I’m exploring Yorkshire!
Aww thanks Kitti! I’m glad you like reading them as much as I enjoy finding them! It’s fun to hunt down these hidden gems! Bolton Abbey is a lovely place to explore! Did you take the steam train? The train from Embsay is such a fun way to get there! I hope you get a chance to explore Yorkshire again soon!
You mean I get to climb up the ladder and over the wall?! As soon as I saw the photo, that’s what I wanted! And I wanted to get a photo of me doing it, haha. The places you find continue to amaze.
Haha! You do indeed! There are a lot of stiles on this route but the ladder stile was definitely a fun one! Luckily once you reach the top it isn’t as far down the other side!
This totally seems like a hidden gem! And with a long, beautiful walk to get to.
Rocking Hall is certainly well hidden! The walk is definitely worth it though, it is a beautiful route!
What a fun adventure! Thanks for the detailed instructions. I’d love to check this place out.
It was a wonderful day out and it certainly felt like an adventure tracking Rocking Hall down. Thanks so much for reading!
Wow, that really is HIDDEN. And old and beautiful. I also love the photos of rock walls or fences in the nice countryside. This is a delightful read.
It is a well hidden one! It is well worth tracking down though, it is such a beautiful building. I’m so glad you enjoyed the guide, thanks for reading!
It indeed looks like a hidden gem. What a fabulous way to spend the day. A little hike with some gorgeous scenery!
It was a lovely day out! The moors were very misty and atmospheric! It is a beautiful hidden gem that is well worth tracking down!
I am learning about so many hidden Yorkshire gems. So interesting to learn more about Rocking Hall. Good tip to download a map before you start the circular walk. There have been many hikes when I really wished I had a map. I would probably print this blog post too!
I’ve been learning about them too in the process and it has been so much fun discovering all of these hidden gems in Yorkshire! We often rely on maps for our hikes (I would never rely on my sense of direction!) but this one was especially tricky without a map as there was a distinct lack of signposts!
This is such a cool spot! I had no idea it existed. Thanks for sharing!
It’s a fascinating place! I’d never heard of it until recently when I stumbled across it. I love a hidden place with an interesting history…I can’t resist tracking them down for myself! Thanks for reading!
This is such a specific and helpful guide, Thank you so much!
I’m so glad you found the guide helpful, thanks for reading!
What a stunning location for a hike and to have it all to yourself! I can see why making the trek is worth it! I’ve never heard of a shooting house or a rocking stone. That would be super cool if it had still rocked! Great tips and directions on finding this awesome gem!
I definitely felt lucky to have the hike to ourselves! It makes them so much more magical, doesn’t it? It is a shame that the rocking stone no longer rocks, I’d love to find one somewhere that does! Thanks for reading the guide!
This looks like a beautiful walk, thank you for sharing! I’ve just invested in some decent hiking boots for our NC500 road trip – good hiking boots make all the difference!
Ah good hiking boots are so important, aren’t they! Mine are getting ready for an upgrade but they’re so comfy, I can’t quite bring myself to replace them just yet! They won’t last much longer mind you! I’d love to do an NC500 road trip! Have a wonderful time!
So beautiful! Never heard of the place although those Moors look familiar! Stunning scenery, would love to spend more time there again.
Rocking Hall is a lovely hidden gem and the scenery is beautiful. I hope you get a chance to come back soon!
I have already fallen in love with this hike and the Rocking hall! I love the paths, steps and open areas to walk through. Thanks for the detailed information of the route. The view of the dam looks awesome. I will definitely look this up when I am in the area. 🙂
It’s such a pretty hike! And Rocking Hall was well worth the effort to get there! It’s a lovely route with a really nice variety of scenery. The reservoir is well worth a visit in its own right. I’m keen to go back and spend more time there. I hope you get an opportunity to visit soon!
This is so detailed, I felt like I was there. I’ve always wanted to visit so I can’t wait to refer back to this guide later. Such a great read. Thank you!
I’m glad you find the instructions helpful, it’s a tricky spot to direct people to! We got a bit muddled on the route because there is a shortage of signs! I hope you get an opportunity to visit soon!
So much fun learning how to find this hidden gem.
I’m so glad you like it Shelly! I hope you get a chance to visit!
Wow, what a scenic spot! I really like how the Shooting House looks. The architecture is neat. Thanks for sharing!
It is a beautiful spot and the building is so unique! It was a lovely hidden gem to track down. Thanks for reading!
This looks like a great trail, such a nice hike and a beautiful building to see on the way. A hike with something nice to see is always better in my books. Rocking Hall looks so elegant, and great that there’s so much history behind it
Ah I know exactly what you mean! Rocking Hall really broke up this long hike because it felt like we were ‘going to’ Rocking Hall, then ‘going back’ to the car, even though it was a circular walk. We had so much fun discovering it and it is such an interesting building.
I hate to be so basic about this, but there are SO MANY IG PHOTO OPS AT THIS PLACE 😍😍😂🤣😂🤣😂🤣
Hahaha don’t worry, I agree! It is a beautiful spot! I’d like to go back and get more photos to be honest, we cut the photoshoot short because it was so cold and windy! It did add to the effect though, it’s such an impressive place!
I love that you do a series of hidden gems that is a great way to keep readers coming back for more. Your photos are fantastic.
I’m so glad you like the Hidden Yorkshire series! I have such a fascination for discovering hidden places, it is so interesting to learn about places you wouldn’t typically find in a guidebook! Thanks so much – this one was a tricky one to photograph with the wind but it was well worth it! Thanks for reading!
You always share the best hidden gems in the UK. I wish I would have had a resource like you when we visited in 2013. You explore how we like to explore – off-the-beaten path and into the woods. This trail looks really neat through the forest. Thanks for sharing.
It’s so fun tracking down hidden gems, isn’t it? I think there’s something so satisfying about discovering somewhere that few people know about. I love finding these gems then having it all to ourselves to enjoy – it feels like uncovering a secret! If you find yourself back in the UK again, I’m happy to make some recommendations! Thanks for reading!
You have introduced me to so many hidden gems in Yorkshire! I love it!! Rocking Hall looks beautiful. Love learning the history of the places you present.
I’m so glad to hear that you enjoy discovering Yorkshire’s hidden gems! I’m amazed how many I keep stumbling across! It’s fascinating uncovering their histories. I feel a bit like a detective when I’m trying to learn more about them! Thanks for reading!
I love how comprehensive this post was! You seriously gave me every piece of information I’d need to know for visiting Rocking Hall! Also, amazing pictures!
I’m so glad you found the guide useful! It is a lovely, secluded spot. Thanks for reading!
Another gorgeous spot in Yorkshire! The moorlands are so beautiful, I love finding secluded spots like this for pretty hikes.
p.s. I love that you had a photo shoot in front of the shooting house – it may not be what the builders had in mind in terms of shooting!
Thanks Josy! It is such a beautiful area and a pretty hidden gem worth tracking down! Haha! That’s true! It was one of the most difficult shoots I’ve done, the wind was blowing my hair all over the place. You can’t even see my face in most of the photos! Thanks for reading!
You always find the most unique places to go walking and hiking to! I like the look of the trail leading up to Rocking Hall, and it’s definitely a nice building to get some photos with too!
The walk is definitely a beautiful one! I love how varied the scenery is throughout the route! And Rocking Hall is a beautiful hidden gem, I loved tracking it down!
I can’t believe I was in the UK for 12 years and never visited Yorkshire! Seems to be filled with gems! Thanks for this guide!
Oh no! There are so many beautiful sights to see in Yorkshire! What a great excuse for a return visit though! I’m so glad you like the guide, thanks for reading!
Oh wow I’ve never heard of this place before! Definitely adding it to my bucket list!
It is such a cool place! And the walk there is stunning! I hope you get a chance to visit!
I’ve seen the hall many times in the distance when driving past Thruscross, but today I made the effort to get up there! What a fantastic hidden gem! Loved reading your blog about it. Loads of information and I loved finally getting there. I bet it can tell some tales!
I’m so glad you found an opportunity to visit Rocking Hall! It is a brilliant hidden gem, isn’t it? I bet it has some brilliant stories to tell! I’m so pleased to hear you enjoyed reading the guide! Thanks so much for checking it out!