A few years ago whilst staying at Cholsey Grange CL we became friends with fellow caravanners Richard and Trudie and we have kept in touch with them ever since. We try and meet once a year for a catch up and they are due to arrive at Brigholme Farm today. Lynnie suggests I head out walking on my own whilst she wanders into Settle and makes preparations for our evening meal. It is always fun entertaining in the caravan.
Starting my walk from Brigholme Farm I turn right from the site and head across Penny Bridge into Settle, then take the first right into Cammock Lane following it under the railway bridge. At the crossroads I head straight over into Ingfield Lane passing the new retirement flats to head up towards the village green where I turn right and then at the junction take the right fork along Mitchell Lane. This lane soon starts to head steeply uphill and in doing so provides a cracking view back across Settle with Ingleborough in the distance.
As the lane levels out and the tarmac comes to an end I fork right to skirt Black’s Plantation, keeping left at the next fork to keep the plantation on my left hand side as I continue on the well defined track towards Long Preston. It is a warm and pleasant afternoon but there are dark clouds gathering in the distance behind me and I am sure to get a drenching before too long. On reaching Hunter Bark I take a short diversion, climbing over the open access land to the hilltop trig point, this is the 24th trig point I have “bagged” this year.
Returning to the track I continue southwards to Long Preston, then decide to avail myself of a bench on the right to eat lunch whilst enjoying the splendid view. No sooner have I started munching than there is a downpour, so with the waterproofs on and the rain hammering at my back I eat my sandwiches and admire the diminishing view towards Pendle Hill.
Lunch consumed and the rain has stopped as I resume my walk minus my waterproofs; soon the track starts to drop into Long Preston. This is a village I have driven through on numerous occasions, but never stopped to look around. Immediately I am drawn to the water fountain dedicated to the memory of Thomas Holgate.
Thomas Holgate was the leading influence in developing the Long Preston Water Trust in 1869. He owned land on which a reservoir was built to supply fresh water to the whole village, to this day many of the village properties are still supplied water by the Water Trust.
Walking along the pavement besides the main road I pass the Boars Head, this has been an Inn since the 1700’s and was the place where Thomas Holgate and others met to form the Water Trust.
On reaching Church Street I turn left to wander up to the church of St Mary the Virgin. This is a really interesting Norman church, unusually it has a dormer window in the roof, I am sure this is not unique but I cannot recall seeing another like it on our travels.
On leaving the church I turn right and follow the lane as it goes around the wall of the churchyard to join New House Lane, a single-track tarmac lane. At a footpath sign I take a path to the left that heads across a couple of fields to Little Newton Farm.
After passing old barns and going through a gate I take a footpath sign on the left across a field besides Newton Gill. There are cattle in the field that initially ignore the dogs and I, but then a couple start to take an unhealthy interest in us. On the basis that it is better to be safe than sorry we turn and make a quick exit.
Safely on the other side of the gate I check the map and see an alternative route, this footpath heads east across open pasture occupied by sheep. When the opportunity arises I cross the open access land of Newton Moor heading for the trig point at Newton Moor Top.
Having bagged my 25th trig point of the year I go north on the moor descending to Langber Lane. On reaching the lane I turn left and follow it, I can see that I am walking into a storm so stop to don my waterproofs again. The next half hour is head down into the wind and rain, but when it stops it is suddenly warm and sunny. As I take my waterproofs off a Red Admiral butterfly stops nearby to soak up the sun.
Nearing the end of the lane after two and a half miles I get some stunning views of Warrendale Knotts in front of me.
The track joins the Malham to Settle road and I turn left towards Settle soon passing over Scaleber Bridge. I am tempted to wander to Scaleber Force to view the waterfall, but recall from previous visits that the path is quite steep in parts and after all this rain might be a bit slippery. I don’t want to fall and be lying on my own for hours!
The route is now very straightforward I just follow the road back to Settle, this is a quiet road with little traffic and only half a dozen cars pass me along the two miles back into town. Arriving back at Brigholme Farm CL I have covered almost thirteen miles. It has been a cracking afternoon, despite getting wet a couple of times it has been thoroughly enjoyable. Now it’s time to settle down for an evening of caravanning stories with Richard and Trudie. Happy days!
To view this route on OS Maps Click Here
To follow our walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map OL2 – Yorkshire Dales – Western Area
9th September 2017
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2017)
Lovely photos, considering the showers, and two #trigpoints – nice one. Was impressed that Long Preston had a Rohan store!
Excellent blog, very entertaining. Staying in Long Preston next month so very helpful. Thank you