Nature and Wildlife

So much on the doorstep.

Regularly seen at Hollicarrs are deer, badgers, hares, foxes, woodpeckers, barn owls, tawny owls and kingfishers, as well as an abundance of wild birds.  There are always an interesting amout of moths and butterflies with special areas created around the park to attract species during the summer months.

Skipwith Common Nature Reserve: a site of Special Scientific Interest, is a 3 mile gentle walk from Hollicarrs along dedicated footpaths and country lanes.  Managed by Escrick Park Estate and English Nature the common is 250 acres and supports an abundance of plants, animals, insects and birds.  The site is also grazed by a group of wild Exmoor Ponies, Longhorn cattle and the Estates own Hebridean Sheep flock.

Wheldrake Ings: 10 minutes by car.  Bird Hides and dedicated walks provide a good vantage point in which to observe wildfowl on the Ings.

Gas House Wood & Temple: Provided by the Estate is a gentle walk from the Village Green in Escrick through Gas House Wood, around the cricket pavilion to the Temple in the Park.  Call in at The Black Bull on the way back for a bite to eat or a refreshing drink.  The Temple can also be accessed through woodland and park walks directly from your lodge.  This is a distance of approximately 2 miles of easy walking.