Fairholmes toilets are on the approach road, well before King’s Tree; no toilets are reported at King’s Tree or the bridge. Fairholmes closes approximately 17:00 winter and 19:00 summer, staffing dependent.
King’s Tree has limited road-end parking only when the restricted access road is open. Do not rely on the short approach when its gate is closed; Fairholmes is a much longer alternative.
No facilities are reported at King’s Tree or on this short route. Fairholmes has toilets and seasonal refreshments on the approach road; check their hours separately.
Opening hours
All times are local to the place. Facility hours may differ from access to the grounds. N/A means no timetable was available in the sources checked; read the notes for access guidance.
King’s Tree vehicle access
Fairholmes toilets
King’s Tree vehicle access
Day
Opening times
monday
Not yet checked
tuesday
Not yet checked
wednesday
Not yet checked
thursday
Not yet checked
friday
Not yet checked
saturday
Not yet checked
sunday
Not yet checked
Check current gate signs. The 2026 walking guide and older operator map give differing weekend and seasonal restrictions; no weekly road schedule is asserted.
A seventeenth-century packhorse bridge relocated from the drowned village of Derwent, reached by a short walk only when access to King’s Tree is open.
This Grade II listed gritstone bridge dates from 1672 and was re-erected at Slippery Stones in 1959. Its two stone arches now cross the River Derwent beyond Howden Reservoir. The riverside setting rewards a short walk from King’s Tree, provided the restricted access road is open.
A closer look
Discover the landscape and stories behind this place.
Before you set out
Details and coordinates can be incomplete or out of date. Check current access, conditions, weather and your route with the site operator before travelling. This is not live navigation or emergency guidance.
Editorial review: 6 November 2026. Conditions may change.
Approach
Allow 25 minutes one way (estimated) from King’s Tree along the continuing gravel path to Slippery Stones, about 1.4 km each way. This start is conditional on the restricted road being open. If the gate is closed, do not use this timing: a walk from Fairholmes is substantially longer.
Walking time from arrival (one way)
25 minutes (approximate)
Terrain & steps
Gravel path with modest inclines, gates and a stream crossing; the route account reports no stiles.
Accessibility
The route is described as pram friendly, but that does not establish wheelchair suitability. A complete current step-free assessment, gate widths and surface condition are unverified.
Access & restrictions
Check current road signs and gate arrangements before travelling. The August 2026 walking account reports weekend and bank-holiday closure; the older operator leaflet has a different seasonal calendar. Keep dogs on leads and follow site restrictions.
Seasonal considerations
Ice, severe weather or other restrictions can close the road. The planning times apply only to an open, usable King’s Tree start and do not include a long alternative from Fairholmes.
Approach walk: approximately 25 minutes one way from the stated arrival point.
Typical total visit: 75–120 minutes, including exploring.
Step-free approach: not checked.
One-way approach: 25 minutes (estimated) from King’s Tree. Total visit: 75–120 minutes (estimated) for the 2.8 km return walk and time at the bridge. The route guide’s roughly 90-minute outing supports this range. These times are invalid when the restricted road is closed; check the gate and current notices before choosing this start.
Source for these planning details
More to discover nearby
A few other places within 25 miles of Slippery Stones Packhorse Bridge. Distances are approximate, straight line; use each guide’s arrival point to plan your journey.
