Our walk begins in Middleham, located 2 miles south of Leyburn on the A6108 Ripon/Richmond road.
Middleham is a small market town with 2 market squares, each with its own cross. Middleham Castle dates from 1170 and, after the death of the Earl of Warwick, (The Kingmaker), at the battle of Barnet it was given to Richard, Duke of Gloucester who later became Richard III.. The castle these days is a splendid ruin with one of the biggest keeps in England , and a deep moat. It is in the care of English Heritage. Middleham is well known as a race-horse training centre and horses can often be seen being put through their paces over the gallops on Middleham Low Moor.
From Middleham we passed along the side of the castle and followed the FP down to the River Cover. After crossing Hullo Bridge we climbed the path to Braithwaite Hall.
Leaving the rd we turned left onto the FP leading up the hill towards Caldbergh passing the site of Castle Steads Iron Age Fort.
From Caldbergh we followed the rd to Coverham Bridge.
Lunch at the Forbidden Corner |
After crossing the bridge we follow the rd left to the entrance of the grounds of 'The Forbidden Corner' We stopped for lunch beside the ornamental ponds and Margaret thought the water looked so nice she decided to go for a swim - fully clothed!
After lunch we left the grounds of the Hall and followed the rd past an 'Equine Pool Therapy Centre' for race-horses. We took a FP leading past Top Barn and Bristow High Gill. Following a path through the woods we crossed the rd and walked down Bay Bolton Ave. past Bolton House.
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The Forbidden Corner is a unique labyrinth of tunnels, chambers, follies and surprises created in a four acre garden in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Steps to disused railway line at Preston-under-Scar |
From here we climbed the hill to cross the disused railway line and carried on up the hill to Preston-under-Scar .
We walked down the rd towards Leyburn then turned left onto FP to take us down the dale and along Shaw Fields Ridge into Leyburn.
This path provides fine views all the way up Wensleydale but today they were partly obscured by early evening mist.
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In Leyburn we met up with the other walking groups in the Swan Hotel to share experiences about our respective walks and to enjoy a welcome beer.
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