This is the last full day of our stay at Brigholme Farm CL, tomorrow we are heading south to a CL we have not previously visited near Flagg in the Peak District. The news headlines continue to be dominated by the lack of fuel at the pumps. I have sufficient to make it to our next site, but will need to fill up there before we head home next week.
To conserve diesel we have decided to do another walk from Brigholme Farm today. Leaving the farm we turn right and head into Settle leaving the centre of town via Constitution Hill and then continue along the tarmac narrow lane towards Langcliffe.
At the end of the lane we turn right and follow the pavement besides the B6479 for a short distance to reach Main Street where we turn right and wander into Langcliffe to reach a Victorian fountain which, following the First World War was converted to a War Memorial with the addition of a memorial cross to commemorate the eleven local men who died in the conflict. It was unveiled in July 1920 and then in 1955 the names of four local men killed during World War II were added.
I have previously researched the backgrounds of the men listed on the memorial who lost their lives in the first World War. It is a stark reminder that they were not destined to be soldiers, before joining the conflict these men included a Bank Clerk, Policeman, Paper mill worker, Quarrymen and a Head Teacher and their ages were between 20 and 35.
From the memorial we take a lane heading north which leads through the village to join a walled track which continues north. Soon after leaving the village we ignore a footpath on the left and keep with the walled track heading towards the disused Langcliffe Quarry.
Reaching a gate we enter a field of pasture and follow the path as it runs close to the wall and then starts to climb besides the quarry. There are fine views back down the Dale from here.
It is a short steep ascent to reach pasture land and follow the path to reach a wall gate. We go through and turn right on the track and head up to Upper Winskill passing through a gate besides a cattle grid. Now we continue on the path with a wall on our left and stay with this path to reach a gate with cracking views of Peny-Ghent in the distance.
We have joined the route of the Pennine Bridleway and stay with this as it crosses a couple of fields to reach a gate to a walled track. On our right is a path to the Catrigg Force waterfall, we ignore this and follow a path descending towards Stainforth.
In the village we traverse the stepping stones over Stainforth Beck and continue through the village past the church of St Peter which was built in 1873.
From the church we continue down the lane to reach the B6479 which we cross and turn right along the pavement. We quickly reach a narrow lane on our left, Dog Hill Brow, and take this, soon crossing a bridge over the Settle to Carlisle Railway line. The lane continues steadily downhill towards the River Ribble which we cross on an ancient pack horse bridge built in 1675 and then turn left to join a path besides the river.
This spot by the river is popular with families to picnic and paddle. The braver or foolhardy also wild swim here. With the current low water levels the river looks benign, but after a storm the force of the water here can be very scary.
We have now joined the route of the Ribble Way, a seventy-two mile long distance footpath that roughly follows the route of the river from Longton near Preston, where the river reaches the sea, to its source at Gearstones close to the Ribblehead Viaduct.
We stay with it through fields with the river always close on the left. At times we are high above it and then the path heads down to be alongside the water again. Despite being a well walked path we do not meet anyone as we head along and pass through a docile herd of cows.
When the path reaches a weir, we turn right along a walled track towards Stackhouse Lane. The weir was constructed to divert water to the mill pond of Langcliffe High Mill which was built in 1780 and was one of Yorkshire’s earliest and largest cotton-spinning mills.
At Stackhouse Lane we turn left and follow the road for about half a mile, still on the route of the Ribble Way. At a footpath on the left we go into a field and follow the Ribble Way as it heads back towards the river.
The path leads across fields and enters the edge of Settle close to a school playing field and the Settle Football Club ground. At Settle Bridge we have the option of staying on the Ribble Way and following this back to Brigholme Farm, or crossing the bridge and going back via the town. We opt for the latter.
It has been a pleasant afternoon walking, but now it is time to make our preparations for leaving in the morning for the Peak District. Already I am trying to work out when we can slot in our 2022 visit to Settle.
You can view this 8 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here
To follow this walk you will need Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map OL2 – Yorkshire Dales – Western Area
26th September 2021
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2021)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.