A 90 mile walk across the glorious high country of the Yorkshire Dales
A Dales High Way Walk: a 90 mile walk across the glorious high country of the Yorkshire Dales

A Dales High Way

News Archive 2022

Chris on Countrystride

Chris Grogan and Dave Felton at Chapel-le-Dale

An excellent new podcast from the Countrystride team called "Dentdale and the Dales High Way" features trail co-creator Chris Grogan, walking a section of A Dales High Way from Chapel-le-Dale to Dent.

Along the way she talks with Mark Richards about the diminutive 'chapel in t' dale' with its memorial to navvies killed building the Carlisle–Settle line and learn about Chris's childhood as a farm girl in Upper Dentdale.

They encounter a group of firemen undertaking the Three Peaks Challenge, talk place names, and discuss the joys of long-distance walking - 'mindfulness before the term was invented'.

Finally, there's a trip down memory lane as Chris recalls haymaking in the era of the fell pony, the Whernside gather... and truant officers being outfoxed by local mums.

The Countrystride Podcast celebrates the landscapes, culture, heritage and people of Cumbria and the Lake District through a unique blend of immersive field recordings, inspiring commentary and interviews, all shaped into a single walk presented by author, illustrator and ex-farmer Mark Richards and produced by David Felton.

David recently walked the whole trail himself.

Photo shows Dave Felton and Chris Grogan at St Leonard's Church, Chapel-le-Dale (photo: Mark Richards).

See the Countrystride website here, and listen to the podcast below:

2 Dec 2022

TV award for Addingham Moorside campsite

Regional winners of Channel 4's Perfect Pitch 2022

GHYLL House Camping at Addingham Moorside, on the route of A Dales High Way, has won the regional finals of Channel 4’s The Perfect Pitch.

They were pitted against North Yorkshire campsites at Saltburn, Baxby, Austwick and Appletreewick. The show features a group of camping connoisseurs who tour Britain's beauty spots in their beloved caravans, campervans, and motorhomes, hunting for that perfect pitch.

Ghyll House is a  working family farm, keeping sheep, pigs and cattle, along with a range of poultry and fowl. The campsite welcomes overnight backpackers alongside campervan and caravan owners.

Despite the lack of luxury facilties, the contestants were blown away at their experience, which included feeding and clipping sheep, archery, and climbing Addingham High Moor.  

Michael and Chrissy Flesher, owners of Ghyll House Camping, said: "We are just a quirky farm campsite at the top of the hill, and we just want people to enjoy the view we wake up to every morning. We were delighted to be part of the show and didn’t mind whether we won or lost, it was the taking part that we loved."

The contestants said of Ghyll House camping that it was a truly genuine family campsite, very homely and had a great all round feeling.

Ghyll House Camping has now closed for this season, re-opening on 1st April 2023.

See Ghyll House Camping here, and Channel 4's Perfect Pitch here.

15 Nov 2022

Stainforth Salmon attract Big Crowds

Salmon at Stainforth Force Oct 2022

Patient visitors to Stainforth Force waterfalls, above Settle, have been treated to some fine displays this autumn as Salmon navigate the falls to reach their spawning grounds upstream.

Yorkshire Dales National Park wildlife officer Mark Hewitt credits a five-year project to improve fish passage from the Irish Sea to the River Ribble with helping salmon numbers recover.

This has included building fish passes at weirs further downstream - work undertaken by the Ribble Rivers Trust.

A report this summer from the Government Environment Agency says wild salmon stocks are at their lowest on record in England. Of the 42 salmon rivers in England, 37 have been classified as “at risk” or “probably at risk”. Warming sea temperatures due to the climate crisis have been blamed, as well as poor water quality in rivers and estuaries.

Kevin Austin, the deputy director for agriculture, fisheries and the natural environment at the Environment Agency, said: “Today’s assessment for England is of great concern and without urgent action wild Atlantic salmon could be lost from our rivers in our lifetimes."

The life cycle of a salmon spans around eight years. They hatch in the uplands and spend the first few years of their life there, before heading downstream to the Irish Sea, to spend their prime years in the Atlantic, often venturing as far north as Greenland.

They then return to their original hatchery to breed and most likely die, as they do not feed well in freshwater.

Photo taken last month by Bridget Izod of the Friends of A Dales High Way

See the Ribble Rivers Trust here

1 Nov 2022

Autumn Newsletter

Autumn newsletter 2022

Walking the 90-mile Dales High Way in the depths of winter, or running it non-stop in under 24 hours, are just two of the ways that people find to make the tough route even tougher!

The new Autumn newsletter from the Friends of A Dales High Way includes articles on both: a major feature in the April edition of The Great Outdoors recounts the attempt of two intrepid walkers to test the idea of enjoying a long distance trail in winter; and runners in the spring's Dales High Way Ultra smashed previous records.

As well as the usual news round-up and a report on the bi-annual route check, there's news from our great new Facebook group and an airborne quiz!

There's also the strange tale of "The Rocky Road Over Ravenstonedale Moor": how a new right of way enjoyed by Dales High Way walkers, Coast to Coasters and 4x4 offroaders came into existence (with just a little unplanned help from the late Alfred Wainwright).

"It’s been great to see so many walkers returning to the trail this year and very good news for the businesses along the way" says Julia Pearson, chair of the Friends in the introduction, after what has been an eventful year.

The Newsletter can be downloaded as a pdf file for free.

See the Friends' Autumn newsletter here.

14 Oct 2022

New Hydro Plan for Winterburn

Winterburn Reservoir from A Dales High Way

An new hydroelectric power scheme proposal at Winterburn Reservoir in Malhamdale is being considered by the National Park Authority.

Ellergreen Hydro says the scheme - harnessing the water flow from the reservoir dam - would generate up to 560MWh of renewable electricity per year, enough to power up to 140 homes in the south-west of the park. The reservoir was originally built to help maintain water levels on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The planning application states the power station "will barely be visible unless in its immediate vicinity". Ellergreen Hydro says the hydroelectric technology can be buried, hidden by natural features, and blended into the local landscape.

The scheme has been in development since 2018, but original planning permission has now lapsed. If new permission is granted then building could start in spring 2023 and be finished within the year.

Ellergreen Managing Director Mark Cropper is also Chairman of James Cropper PLC, the specialist paper and advanced materials group; both companies are based in Burneside, Cumbria.

Winterburn Reservoir is a sight enjoyed by Dales High Way walkers as they cross the moor from Hetton to Malham.

See Ellergreen Hydro here.

1 Oct 2022

Saltaire Festival Delayed by a Fortnight

Saltaire Festival 2021

The start of this year's popular Saltaire Community Festival has been put back 2 weeks to Saturday 24th September due to the Queen's death.

The main weekend will run on 1st & 2nd October, with Bands in the Park, Funfair and many other attractions.

A spokesperson said: “Saltaire Community Festival is in its 19th year. As many of our events run in Roberts Park, although we are technically a charity-run event, we rely heavily on our council’s services.

“As our festival runs for a full week, we decided upon the sad news that we should postpone it for two weeks, to allow for 10 days of mourning."

The World Heritage Site of Saltaire is the start of A Dales High Way.

See Saltaire Festival here.

17 Sept 2022

Malham Field Studies Centre to Close

Tarn House

A famous residential field studies centre in one of the most remote locations in the county is set to close.

The Field Studies Council, which has run a centre at Malham Tarn for more than 70 years and has been used by thousands of school students and adult learners. said it had made the difficult decision to close this autumn

Ian Wainwright, the FSC’s commercial director, said: "This has not been an easy decision for the charity. We have had a very long association with this iconic location, but like all charities, we have to ensure that our finances are in good health."

Tarn House, a former Georgian fishing lodge on the shores of Britain’s highest limestone lake in the Yorkshire Dales, is owned by the National Trust, and it is thought that the spiralling costs of maintaining the site has played a big part in the decision.

Tony Grogan of the Friends of A Dales High Way said "I have fond memories of an intensive, practical residential course on local geology in 2009, which proved invaluable when it came to compiling the geology material for A Dales High Way Companion."

Julia Pearson, chair of the Friends who compiled the wildlife sections for the Companion, is also a big fan.

She said "I was shocked to hear the news about Malham Tarn FSC. There must be thousands of people with great memories of natural history studies there. When I first attended a residential in 1985, newly arrived in Yorkshire, it was a brilliant introduction to the area and inspired an interest that has stayed with me to this day.

"It's a loss for environmental education in our region and very sad for all the staff and the people who would have benefitted from a visit in the future."

See the Malham Field Studies Centre here.

1 September 2022

Coast to Coast gets National Trail Status

Approaching Kidsy Pike on the Coast to Coast Walk

The government announced that Alfred Wainwright's popular Coast to Coast Walk is to be made a National Trail.

The announcement last week followed several years of campaigning the Wainwright Society. The 197-mile trail will now undergo £5.6 million of upgrades to bring it to National Trail standards, with an expected official "opening" in 2025.

Wainwright's route has undergone several changes over the years, as some of it followed paths which were not Rights of Way. The "upgrades" will include creating a further 9.7 miles of new public footpath, 9 miles of new public bridleway and 5 miles of "re-alignment" of existing rights of way.

Many stiles will also be replaced by gates, and other stretches of path strengthened. It is estimated that over 6,000 walkers cross the entire route each year, bringing around £7 million into local economies.

The trail shares a short section with A Dales High Way across Ravenstonedale Moor.

Lord Benyon, Minister for Rural Affairs, said: "The Coast to Coast route passes through some of our most spectacular countryside, villages and natural habitats so I’m delighted to approve these plans and deliver on our manifesto commitment to develop the route into a new National Trail."

See Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk here.

15 Aug 2022

Moorland Access Bans follow Heat-wave

Ilkley moor Fire in 2019

Open access to wide areas of moorland in Yorkshire was banned following the July heat-wave that set new UK temperature records.

In the Bradford district, temporary bans on wide areas of open access - "right to roam" areas - on upland moors  were introduced on July 20th in response to the danger of fire.

Addingham High Moor was one of the areas affected, but as public footpaths were exempt from the ban, this did not affect walkers on A Dales High Way.

Bradford Council said: “Temperatures may have dropped but there’s still a very high risk of wildfire on moorland. Access to some areas of moorland across the country is temporarily suspended, with the ‘right to roam’ on open country withdrawn until further notice.

“Please stay away from these areas until further notice. The restrictions do not apply to public rights of way and public roads."

Temperatures topped 40 degrees in some UK areas for the first time, highlighting the very real dangers of unchecked human-induced climate change.

See the Met Office Fire Severity Index here.

1 Aug 2022

Commonwealth Baton in Saltaire

Queens Commonwealth Baton at Saltaire

The Queen's Commonweath Baton arrived at Saltaire yesterday, on its way across Yorkshire.

Sammy Wills from Sheffield, a paramedic with Yorkshire Ambulance NHS Trust was chosen as one of 2,022 people to carry the Baton in the relay preceding this year’s Commonwealth Games.

Sammy said:” I am very excited to be chosen as one of the Commonwealth Baton bearers in Yorkshire. The 2022 Commonwealth Games mark a fantastic year as it is also 20 years since I started flying as a Paramedic with Yorkshire Air Ambulance Charity, seconded from Yorkshire Ambulance Service NHS Trust."

The baton will be travelling through 72 Commonwealth nations before the opening of the Games in Birmingham on the 28th of July. The baton, which has already completed an international route, is travelling the length and breadth of England, stopping in 180 locations.

The relay will end at Birmingham's Aston Hall on 28 July, the day of the games' opening ceremony.

See the 2022 Commonwealth Games here.

13 July 2022

Aerial Archaeology Project for Westmorland Dales

Gilbertine Monastic remains, Ravenstonedale

A new aerial investigation project has been launched covering the south-eastern part of the Westmorland Dales area of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, a region rich in prehistoric and Roman archaeology.  

The area includes the final stages of A Dales High Way and was included into the National Park in 2016.

The project will identify, map and interpret historic environment features to enhance the Yorkshire Dales Historic Environment Record using a range of aerial imagery.

It will study all available aerial photographs and LiDAR to identify and map archaeological features within the survey area. LiDAR (light detection and ranging) uses lasers to create 3-D maps of the surface, penetrating any obscuring vegetation.

In the Yorkshire Dales researchers have found two ploughed down henges that are no longer visible, a significant number of prehistoric settlements, former farmsteads and complex medieval farming landscapes that exist underneath the stone walls and hay meadows not visible to the eye.

The project is being undertaken by Archaeological Research Services Ltd in conjunction with the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and Historic England to cover 136km² of the area that was incorporated into the Yorkshire Dales National Park in 2016.

PHOTO shows the structural remains of a Gilbertine Monastic House uncovered in 1928-9 in the graveyard of St. Oswald’s Church, Ravenstonedale © ARS 2022.

See the Archaeological Research Services here.

1 July 2022

Angel voted "Best gastropub in 2022"

Angel Inn, Hetton

The Angel Inn. at Hetton, on the route of A Dales High Way, has been voted Gastropub of the Year in this year's National Restaurant Awards. This comes on top of a Michelin Star award for 2022.

The pub grabbed the prestigious title at the awards in London this week adding to a host of previous awards for chef Michael Wignall, including four AA rosettes and silver overall in last year's National Restaurant Awards.

A spokesperson for the Angel said: "Absolutely fantastic to be placed number 12 in the National Restaurant Awards Top 100 UK restaurants, along with Gastropub of the Year. Thank you to everyone who voted for us, it means the world."

The Angel has undergone major refurbishment since a new management team took over in 2018. Chef patron Michael Wignall and his wife Johanna have a vision to keep everything that the Angel was famous for; fantastic food, a warm welcome and a deep connection with the dramatic Yorkshire landscape – and make it outstanding.

A popular spot with walkers for an afternoon pint, visitors can expect to pay over £400 a night for one of the luxury rooms on offer, so perhaps only walkers with very deep pockets may be attracted to an overnight stop here. More frugal walkers are likely to divert for a night at the popular Devonshire Arms in Cracoe, just over a mile off-route.

See the Angel Inn at Hetton here, and the Devonshire Arms, Cracoe, here.

18 June 2022

Bradford is new City of Culture 2025

Bradford awarded City of Culture 2025

Bradford was declared last night as the 2025 City of Culture.

Announcing the decision, Nadine Dorries, the culture secretary, said​ Bradford was a “worthy winner” of the 2025 title against stiff competition: “Art and culture should be accessible to everyone and this prestigious title will help Bradford deliver unforgettable events for communities on their doorstep."

Shanaz Gulzar, Chair of Bradford 2025, said “What I'm most excited about is the energy and dynamism in Bradford in our creative communities. There's a lot of sharing of ideas and a can-do punk sensibility and drive.” Shanaz is a Keighley-born artist and regular walker - best known for her popular Yorkshire Walks series on BBC4.

Bradford has a very diverse, young population, and the dynamic submission reflected that.

As well as the city itself, the City of Culture status applies to the whole of the Bradford Metropolitan district, an area 143 square miles and a total population of 537,000. Most of the district is rural and includes towns such as Keighley, Shipley, Bingley, Ilkley, Haworth, Silsden, Queensbury, Thornton and Denholme.

It also includes the world heritage site of Saltaire and the first stage of A Dales High Way.

See Bradford 2025 here.

1 June 2022

Records smashed in High Way Ultra

Dales High Way Ultra marathon 2022, checkpoint 1 at Addingham. Paul Haigh running.

This year's Dales High Way Ultra produced some outstanding performances - and a number of new records, including beating the Fastest Known Time by 50 minutes!

The race start was staggered from 6 am to 9 am, with Paul Haigh taking an early lead in the field, which he maintained to the end. Paul finished in a remarkable time of just 19 hours 39 minutes. It looked like that might be it, but then just as dawn broke Matthew Kennedy appeared at the top of Boroughgate in Appleby. His later start meant he was neck-and-neck with Paul. In the end he pipped Paul's new record by just 2 minutes!

Last year's all-round winner, Daniel Hendrickson, also broke the old record, completing the 90-mile Dales High Way in just 19 hours 51 minutes. He went on to finish the Dales High Way Plus (an extra knee-crunching loop around High Cup Nick adding another 14 miles) in a new record time of 24 hours and five minutes to become overall winner of the event for the second year running!

Bev Holmes became the first woman veteran over 50 (FV50) to complete the main 90-mile route, coming in with a time of 26 hours 8 minutes, alongside Andrew Clitheroe. Ultra running legend Sharon Gayter became the first FV50 to complete the 104 mile event, in a time of 31 hours 48 minutes.

There were many other personal records set. Even those who had to drop out before the finish enjoyed the challenge. Grant Smalley said "I'm not bothered about medals, T-shirts and all that jazz. It's great yeah, but I run to have fun. I had so much fun. I might be a little gutted, but I'm experienced enough now to not let it beat me down. To say it was tough was an understatement. To say it was a tremendous course, is equally so. Absolutely beautiful. Of what I saw, pound for pound it's the toughest course I've ever done. It's also my favourite."

Picture shows Paul Haigh leaving check-point 1 at Addingham, run by the Friends of A Dales High Way.

See the full race results here. See Punk Panther Ultramarathons here.

9 May 2022

Yorkshire Heritage Way launch

Yorkshire Heritage Way Launch - photo John Sparshatt

A NEW 42 mile Yorkshire Heritage Way recreational trail between Bradford Cathedral and Ripon Cathedral was officially launched this weekend.

The trail links the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Saltaire - also the start of A Dales High Way - and Fountains Abbey, passing through stunning countryside in the Bradford district and North Yorkshire.

The launch event at Bradford Cathedral on Friday attracted a large crowd. Among the speakers were Colin Speakman - President of the Burley Bridge Association - and the Bishop of Bradford Nick Baines. Walkers then began a four-day walk along the route.

The route was devised by the campaigners for a footbridge over the river Wharfe at Burley-in-Wharfedale. The call for a bridge dates back 125 years, but the current Burley Bridge Association charity was formed in 1996. Planning permission for the current design was approved in 2018 and campaigners are well on the way to raise the required half-million pound funding.

Walkers currently have to use stepping stones at the site to cross the river - an option only available in very dry weather. An alternative route here is available at other times.

See more on The Yorkshire Heritage Way here.

2 May 2022

Last chance to join High Way Ultra

Dales High Way Ultra recce - 2020

There's just one week left to sign up for the ultimate long distance Yorkshire race - the Dales High Way Ultra Marathon.

Entries close on Sunday, 24th April with the race starting from Saltaire on Saturday morning, 7th May.

There's a choice of just running the 90-mile route of A Dales High Way, or adding an extra 14-mile round to the end to take in High Cup Nick. All to be done in less than 36 hours!

The race was first run last year, with the winner Daniel Hendriksen taking just 20 hours 56 minutes to finish.

The fastest known time for the route - 20 hours 31 minutes - was set by supported solo runner Mark Kerry who ran the trail just 2 days earlier.

The Friends of A Dales High Way looked after the Settle checkpoint last year and will be once again on hand to help out.

Chris Grogan of the Friends said: "We are very happy to be looking after a checkpoint again this year. It's great to be part of such a well organised event and we're all looking forward to it."

Follow the race live from 7 am on Saturday morning on Track Trail here.

See Punk Panther Dales High Way Ultramarathon here, and last year's race results here.

18 Apr 2022

Return of Guided Walks

Foscl guided walk, 2 April 2022

A free Guided Walks Programme along the world-famous Settle-Carlisle railway line made a welcome return this weekend.

The walks, organised by the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line (Foscl), kicked off with a 6-mile circular Introductory Walk from Settle. 26 walkers turned up for the walk, which was led by Foscl regulars Bob and Lindy Clarke, including many who had never walked with the Friends group before.

Foscl Walk Organisers Alice and Russ Whelan-Smith said: "Well I think we can call that a success! We’re sure a few of the new walkers will make an appearance on future walks. Bring on next weeks walk."

The Foscl free walks programme had been suspended for the last two years due to the Covid pandemic. The programme will run every Saturday until the end of September, with a few Sunday walks thrown in the mix as well. Walks all start and finish at a station along the line. Anyone who wants to join just has to turn up at the start - no booking required.

Another group - the Friends of Dales Rail (FDR) - also run a popular programme of free guided walks along the line.

So there's plenty for keen walkers in Dales High Way country to choose from!

See the Foscl Guided Walks Programme here, and the FDR programme here.

4 April 2022

Temporary Route Change at Bandley Bridge

Bandley Bridge, on the approach to Appleby

From Monday, February 28th, the closure of Bandley Bridge, on the approach to Appleby, will mean a temporary route change for walkers finishing A Dales High Way.

Hoff to Appleby alternative

As there is no nearby alternative to crossing Hoff Beck with the closure of Bandley Bridge, walkers must take to the road at Hoff, through Burrells, to finish the final stage of the walk.

Appleby Tourist Information Centre posted the news: "From Monday 28th February the Bridleway and footpath over Bandley Bridge will be closed for up to six weeks.  This is to replace the Bridle bridge and footbridge.  Unfortunately there is not an alternative route."

The road from Hoff to Burrells is fairly quiet. Here the road turns left onto the busier B6260, heading for Appleby. There are a couple of vergeless spots, so great care is needed. Join the main route at Colby Lane beneath the castle walls for the entrance into Appleby.

At the same time, storm damage has affected the footpath alongside Glovershaw Beck, near the start of A Dales High Way. Some recent revetment works have been washed away, and banking alongside the narrow track has been weakened, The path is still passable, but care is needed.

UPDATE: WE ARE ADVISED THAT THIS WORK HAS BEEN DELAYED - SO BANDLEY BRIDGE IS STILL OPEN. WORK NOW EXPECTED FOR AUGUST 2022.

See Appleby TIC here

27 Feb 2022

Farmer sentenced over walker's death

cattle

A Dales farmer was given a suspended prison sentence last week after a walker was tragically trampled to death by cows on his land.

David Tinniswood was walking with dogs on a public right-of-way at Chapel-le-Dale in May 2020 when he was attacked by cattle who were grazing with calves, suffering fatal injuries. The 83-year-old’s wife was seriously injured in the incident at Ivescar Farm.

Paul Sharpe received a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, after he pleaded guilty to breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, at Leeds Magistrates Court. He was also fined a total of £878 and ordered to pay £7,820 in costs. Sharpe, a partner in the farm’s operators, admitted the offence.

After the hearing, HSE inspector Julian Franklin said: “A number of measures could have been taken to safeguard walkers using the path, while cattle and calves were grazing in that field.

“Firstly, not using that field for cattle and calves. Most farmers will have other groups of stock that can graze fields containing rights of way, so can reduce the risk of incidents by putting sheep in them, or they could take fodder crops from them.

“Cattle with calves can be put in fields without rights of way, away from members of the public, or can be segregated from walkers. Farmers should ensure they take all reasonably practicable precautions to protect walkers on public rights of way, especially when they are grazing cows and calves together, or bulls are present.”

The route of A Dales High Way passes along a track through Ivescar Farm, but away from the field were the tragic incident occurred.

Walkers with dogs need to be especially careful when cows with calves are present. Fortunately such incidents are rare.

See the Rambler's advice on walking near livestock here.

16 Feb 2022

Stormy challenge for 100-mile runners

A runner on the LAW100 race passes Brougham Castle

Runners taking part in the inaugural Lady Anne's Way100 fell race were greeted by Storm Malik as they set off from Skipton on a dark Saturday morning.

The 100 mile race, organised by Due North Events and NAV4 Adventure, was won by Sam Tyrer who ran into Penrith 18 hours and 45 minutes later. He was followed in by Emma Stuart - the first female runner - a little under an hour after. Emma's partner James Chapman came in third.

Lady Anne's Way is a popular long-distance trail that winds its way across the Yorkshire Dales and into Cumbria, following in the footsteps of the remarkable medieval Lady Anne Clifford.

It shares its first section out of Skipton with A Dales High Way, before heading off towards Wharfedale and on up to Wensleydale and Mallerstang, meeting A Dales High Way briefly again at Appleby.

The race had been originally planned for 2021 - the 25th anniversary of the trail - but the Covid pandemic led to a year long delay. Organisers were finally able to thank the 100 or so runners who took part: "Thanks for coming and having faith in us. You can be super proud of your achievements, especially in  such brutal winds and tricky underfoot conditions."

A Dales High Way Ultramarathon race is organised by Punk Panthers later in May this year.

Photo shows a runner passing Brougham Castle (credit: #wartznall).

See the Lady Anne's Way (LAW100) webpage here, and the Lady Anne's Way trail webpage here.

1 Feb 2022

New life at Craven Limeworks

Stainforth Scar

Work is now well under way to bring new life to a fascinating "hidden" Victorian industrial site just south of Stainforth.

Walkers on a Dales High Way heading north from Settle towards Little Stainforth will look east across the River Ribble at the lovely limestone crags opposite. These crags, known as Stainforth Scar, are not a natural feature, but largely the result of quarrying.

Craven Limeworks and Langcliffe Quarry grew in the late nineteenth century, making full use of the new Settle-Carlisle Railway. Various industrial production methods were used on the site, including perhaps the best preserved Hoffman Kiln still existing in the country, constructed in 1873. This amazing structure is now a scheduled Ancient Monument.

After the works finally closed in the 1930s, parts of the site become a waste depot for the local council. In January 2021 Craven Council decided to redevelop the site, creating more than 26,000 square feet for a new business space, combining the refurbishment of the old traditional stone buildings together with new build to provide modern light industrial and office space.

The £3.2 million scheme, which was given planning consent by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority, will also support preservation of the historic Hoffman Kiln and the wider site through a long-term conservation management plan.

Paul Shevlin, chief executive of Craven District Council, said: “I’m pleased we have appointed a local company for the construction phase of this important project.

“We know there is great demand for more modern, flexible workspace for new and existing smaller businesses in Craven. Providing much-needed additional workspace and high quality jobs in the district is a crucial part of our plans to attract and retain more young people and families to Craven, and ensure that our communities continue to thrive.”

He added: “This is a tricky site to develop, but thanks to grant funding we have been able to devise a scheme which benefits the local economy but also protects the future of the Hoffman Kiln.”

Dales High Way walkers stopping over at Stainforth would be well advised to take the short walk south and explore this amazing site.

See more about The Craven Limeworks & Hoffman Kiln here.

14 Jan 2022

New Stag in Skipton Woods

New Stag from artist Anna & the Willow at Skipton Woods

A fine new addition to the willow sculptures in Skipton Woods has made it's appearance.

The Stag is the latest work of Artist Anna & The Willow to be exhibited in the woods, which makes a great alternative section of A Dales High Way out of Skipton.

The walk also makes a fine circular form Skipton, leading up to the Craven Heifer Inn at Tarn Moor.

Hidden behind one of Britain’s most popular medieval castles, the Woodland Trust's Skipton Castle Woods is a rare ancient woodland habitat straight off the high street.

See our previous story here, the Skipton Alternative here, and Anna & The Willow here.

2 Jan 2022

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