BOLTON ABBEY, YORKSHIRE DALES

SUNDAY, 11TH JULY 2010

Coach Leader: Jackie Gudgeon

Coach Leaves at 5.30 pm

Please read these coach notes carefully - they will help you to decide which walk will be the most suitable for you. If you have any doubts, do not hesitate to ask the leader for advice. For the safety and enjoyment of yourself and others, please try not to join a walk which is beyond your capabilities.
Please respect the wishes of the walks leader and remain with the walk until the end. If you are struggling - inform the walk leader so that he/she can make a decision to shorten the walk, have more rest, etc.

TODAY'S WALKS

Moderate Leader: Jackie Gudgeon Distance: 8.5 miles

Bolton Abbey - Hare Head - Lower Barden Reservoir - Barden Broad Park - Barden Bridge - River Wharfe - Bolton Abbey. A steady climb to Hare Head then downhill to Barden Bridge and a pleasant walk along the River Wharfe past the Stryd and on to Bolton Abbey. Good views on the way down from the reservoir.

Leisurely Leader: Sue Daniels Distance : 7.5 miles

Bolton Abbey - Hare Head - Barden Tower - River Wharfe. A steady climb through woods and moorland to Hare Head then down to Barden Bridge for a stroll back along the River Wharfe.

Easy Leader: Derek Lee Distance: 5 miles

We will pass the Abbey ruins and cross the river to follow the Dales Way northwards through the woods as far as the Pavilion, then continue on the east side of the river almost as far as Barden Bridge. From here we return on the west side of the river along the area known as The Stryd, where the River Wharfe is forced into a deep and narrow channel, finishing on the road directly passing the Abbey ruins.

NOTES ON THE AREA

Bolton Priory was founded in 1154 by Augustinian canons (known as Black Friars because they wore black and not, as a schoolboy once wrote, because of their dirty habits!). It became a wealthy establishment which, in it's heyday, had up to 20 canons, several lay brethren, and employed 200 people. It was suppressed in 1539, three years after the Act of Dissolution. The Priory had always been the village church which is why the King allowed a portion to remain intact - it is still a rather grand church for such a small village.

The tall structure on the roadside at the top of the entrance to the Cavendish Pavilion car park is a covered fountain erected by the electors of the West Riding as a tribute to the memory of Frederick Charles Cavendish, son of the 7th Duke of Devonshire.

The woodlands between the Cavendish Pavilion and the Strid have been made into a nature reserve, with six waymarked footpaths. The woods contain superb specimens of mature trees, including oak, ash, yew and Scots pine, and there are drifts of bluebells, wood sorrel, wood anemones, celandine and campion. Birds to be seen include dippers, wrens, finches, tits, magpies and jays, with the occasional glimpse of a heron or great spotted woodpecker. At the Strid, rocky ledges close in like pincers, forcing the River Wharfe through a channel only a few feet wide. The river has hollowed out the sandstone to create underground chambers of treacherous depth. Many have drowned attempting to leap across the swirling torrent, and the area should be approached with caution.

Barden Bridge is a fine example of a Dales humpbacked bridge dating from the late 17th century. It's buttressed arches serve as breakwaters when the river is in flood. Barden Tower was once the home of the celebrated 'Shepherd Lord' Henry Clifford, who was brought up in secret exile by Cumberland shepherds during the reign of his father's enemies, the Yorkist Kings. After the succession of Henry Tudor in 1485, Henry Clifford regained his estates but always preferred his isolated tretreat at Barden to his ancestral home at Skipton Castle. In 1643 Lady Ann Clifford inherited the estates and, after ordering considerable restoration, lived there from about 1659 until her death in 1676. The Tower became the property of the Dukes of Devonshire in 1748 and is now in the care of the Trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement. It has not been lived in since Lady Ann Clifford's death and has been in ruins since the 1800's.

Beamsley Beacon is the bold ridge that stands above the Wharfe to the south east. As it's name suggests, it was one of the many hills in England where a warning fire was lighted in former times when there was a national emergency, and dates from the time when people lived in fear of a Napoleonic invasion. It is a particularly fine viewpoint, especially to the south and west where Ilkley Moor forms the right hand side of Wharfedale.

The Valley of Desolation acquired this name after a severe storm in 1826 which caused considerable damage. Today, however, the name is hardly appropriate, for the tree-cloaked slopes, attractive stream and the two waterfalls make it instead a place of sylvan beauty.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

NEXT RAMBLE;

Sunday, 25th July 2010. Castleton, Derbyshire.

Leaders: Strenuous: Mark & Julia Gibbons, Moderate: Peter Denton, Leisurely: Derek Lee, Easy: Adelaide Houghton.

Sunday, 8th August 2010. Loggerheads, North Wales.

Currently there are moderate and leisurely walks planned for this 'mid-month' ramble. Please make it known if you are willing to lead a strenuous or easy walk.

Bookings Derek Lee. Coach pick-up times: Ormskirk bus station 8.40 am, Railway Road, Skelmersdale 8.50 am, Skelmersdale Baths car park 9.00 am.

Will walk leaders please let Jackie have details of their walks as far before the walk as possible. At least a week would be nice. Thanks. Those who have the technology can e-mail your notes - please use the address on the Contacts page.

SKELMERSDALE CHURCHES RAMBLING CLUB

Saturday, 14th August 2010. Llanberis, North Wales.

Coach leaves Ormskirk Bus Station 8.30 am, Railway Road Bus Stop 8.40 am, Skelmersdale Baths Car Park 8.50 am, Upholland Labour Club 9.00 am. Bookings: Jackie Gudgeon. Coach Fare £9 (non-members £10).

RAMBLERS ASSOCIATION WEST LANCS GROUP

Wednesday, 14th July 2010. 1.30 pm. Banks, from car park in village centre on Hoole Lane by St Stephens Club. 5 miles.

Tuesday, 20th July 2010. 7.00 pm. Maghull Station for evening stroll. 4 miles.

Sunday, 25th July 2010. 1.30 pm. Parbold from Bramble Way car park off A5209 by canal bridge. 5 miles.

Sunday, 1st August 2010. 10.30 am. The Wirral from West Kirby Station. By 9.20 am train from Ormskirk or car to West Kirby Leisure Centre car park.

Wedneday, 11th August 2010. 1.30 pm. Mere Brow from the Village Hall. 5 miles.

SEFTON & DISTRICT FOOTPATH GROUP

Sunday, 11th July 2010. Moreton Station. Linear walk to West Kirby.

Sunday, 8th August 2010. Ruff Wood, Vicarage Lane.

Walks are between 5 & 6 miles. Tel: Carol or Clare for more details.

CLUB NOTES

COACH BOOKING Please ensure that, before boarding your coach on the return journey, you complete your booking for the next ramble. It would be helpful if you could tell the coach booking officer if you do not intend to book for the next coach.

PLEASE TRY TO BE BACK FROM YOUR CUP OF TEA OR PINT IN PLENTY OF TIME TO BOOK THE NEXT RAMBLE BEFORE BOARDING THE COACH. YOU WILL APPRECIATE THAT IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE OTHER PASSENGERS OR TO THE COACH DRIVER IF THE COACH IS LATE IN LEAVING.

REMEMBER COACH FARE IS £10 (£12 NON MEMBERS).

Please make every effort to ensure that, when you leave the bus, you take all your possessions with you. Please check the luggage rack, under the seat, etc, not to mention the boot. Please try not to take anyone else's stuff. Thanks.

If anything is left behind on the bus when we get to Ormskirk, I usually take it home with me (being last to get off) so please ring me as soon as you notice if you are missing anything - Jackie.

Return to Top of Page

SKELMERSDALE RAMBLING CLUB