News en route
Malham Hotel goes 100% Vegan
Beck Hall, a popular hotel in Malham, will become the first
plant-based hotel in England when it relaunches in December.
Owners Louise and Andy Macbeth, who acquired Beck Hall nearly
a decade ago, said a personal journey that started from a place
of compassion for animals led their family to a plant-based diet
and that they also recognised the potential positive impact
eating more plants could have on the environment and health.
Louise said: “Recently, we’ve been developing some of the
most innovative, exciting, and delicious vegan dishes we’ve ever
tried, anywhere. We believe our food, from breakfast through to
dinner, is for everyone.”
Not everyone is impressed, however. In a letter to the Craven
Herald local farmer Anthony Bradley questioned the
environmental claims of the hoteliers:
"I was especially interested to see olives, bananas, seitan -
aka wheat gluten (mostly imported from China), chia, avocado,
tofu, chickpeas, and lentils listed in the ingredients. None of
these are grown commercially in the UK. Indeed the growing of
soya crops is one of the drivers of rain forest clearance. But
they claim one of their concerns was a benefit for the
environment. Unless these imports have come via sail ship a good
chunk of fossil fuels will have powered the shipping.
"Finally to criticise livestock farming whilst operating in
the midst of a landscape and community that has a centuries old
tradition of doing so is, with respect, at best tone deaf."
The Macbeth couple acknowledged that some guests may be
opposed to change and thanked them for their custom to date:
"We’re sure you’ll go on to find a new special place – there
are so many meaty menus to choose from. But wouldn’t it be
boring if we were all the same?" they said.
6 Nov 2023
Walk the Line
There's the option to join in a number of free guided walks
in Dales High Way country, starting
with a lovely hike to Rutter Force from Appleby this Saturday.
The walk is the first in the new winter walks programme from
FoSCL - the Friends of the Settle-Carlisle Line.
All the walks start and finish at a rail station along the
line, with easy connections from Leeds, Bradford and Carlisle.
The Rutter Force walk uses the early 07:48 train from Leeds and
is graded as "Explorer" - a tough 12 mile walk, returning on the
17:01 train from Appleby.
A fortnight later there's an easier circular walk from
Settle in search of leaping salmon at Stainforth Force.
The guided walk leaflet points out that "The landscape in
this part of the country means that a route will usually involve
a hill or two, have stiles to climb over and possibly tricky
terrain. Everyone is welcome but if you are new to hiking or
have had a long break from it, please start with the easier
walks."
Copies of the walk programme are available at stations along
the line and online.
4 Oct 2023
Don't dream it, DO IT!
This month's Country Walking magazine features the top five
UK 100-mile "Hero" trails, as picked by editor Guy Proctor.
Heading up his list for "an adventure you'll remember forever"
is A Dales High Way.
"We've probably all daydreamed about walking the South West
Coast Path or the Appalachian trail - but for most of us such
long walks remain perpetually out of reach purely for practical
reasons. But that doesn't mean your dreams of having a great
adventure need to stay in the misty land of oneday- maybe.
"A trail of around 100 miles is still a mighty quest - an
eminently quotable Big Achievement, with the full potential of
picaresque potential, and all the satisfactions of the planning,
the horizon-hunting and sheer heroism of crossing a section of
Britain big enough to look meaningful pointed to an a globe."
Guy argues that A Dales High Way is the best way to see the
full range of landscapes that the recently extended Yorkshire
Dales National Park has to offer.
"Across 90 miles it stretches to the furthest and fullest
reaches of the National Park, ending in the Eden Valley at
Appleby-in-Westmorland - a fitting climax and line of
demarcation between the pretty Dales and austere North Pennines.
"En route, after setting the Dales in an industrial context
which only heightens their beauty and sense of freedom, the High
Way climbs clear of civilisation on Ilkley Moor and never misses
its mark. Goredale, Malham Cove. Attermire, Ingleborough,
Ribblehead, Dentdale, the velvety folds of the Howgill Fells,
the huge limestone fields of Great Asby Scar - every day this
perfectly paced highlights reel presents a blend of grand vistas
and historical and geological details; well-known Dales
must-sees like epic Ribblehead Viaduct and solaces like Sharp
Haw and Sunbiggin Tarn; crowdpleasers like Malham Cove and
hidden gems like Rutter Force.
"You'll come back in love with a more varied and beautiful
park than many suspect - and the right to say you've walked
every foot in one another's company."
9 Sept 2023
90 miles across the glorious high country of the Yorkshire Dales
