Bolton Castle, Aysgarth and West Burton

Picture: Frank Knowles

Long Walk Sunday 20th June. Around 12 miles. Leyburn, Bolton Castle, Aysgarth Falls,

West Burton Falls.

O.S. Explorer Map OL30.

Walk from Leyburn to West Burton and catch the 5.08 Dales & District Bus back to Leyburn.

1. Set off from Leyburn market place at 10 am. Walk along the Shawl A. Go over the stile at the end of the Shawl and through the swing gate and walk down the meadows to Gillfield Wood. Walk through the wood, and over a meadow to come out at Preston under Scar. At the far end of the village, pass three bungalows on your right and go through the gate to the wood of Preston Springs. Forward and then at the stile onto the road go left down the road, turning immediate right at the T junction onto the old road above Redmire. Come out onto Reeth Road.

2. Turn left and just before the railway bridge, go right onto the footpath which goes over Apedale Beck and on a footpath with the bed of the railway track to your left. Then go over the meadows and up to the right, to arrive at Bolton Castle .B. Have lunch here. In the car park there are toilets and benches.

3. Set off for Aysgarth Falls taking the left hand path after the castle (not the one straight on marked Askrigg). Going passed West Bolton Farm and eventually coming out at Carperby at East End Farm. Turn right along the road, to go on a footpath to Aysgarth Falls, which is on the left, opposite The Wheatsheaf Inn. C. Follow the way marked signs to come into Freeholders Wood. D.

4. Arrive at Aysgarth Falls visitor centre and walk to the Middle Falls and Lower Falls. Then walk to the end of the car park avoiding the road to view the Upper Falls from the bridge. Leave for West Burton going up the steps by the mill and straight ahead at Aysgarth Church Yard. Cross the road at the top and go forward following the signs across the meadows to Eshington Bridge which you cross and then go right, over the meadows, coming out onto Bishopdale Road. Cross the road and go up the steps to West Burton. Turn right into the village. E.

5. Arrive at West Burton and turn left over the green and right at the mill to visit West Burton Falls. Back in the village by the store, to catch the bus back to Leyburn at 5.05. Total miles from Leyburn to West Burton around 12.

Risk Assessment. No steep ascents or descents, no rivers to cross, just a bit of a slippery patch at the Lower Falls, walking along the wet stones of the river banks. A long pleasant walk, suitable for experienced walks who enjoy a long stroll.

Points of Interest

Turner visited Bolton Castle on Monday 29th July 1816. He made several sketches from every angle, before continuing on his journey leaving Wensleydale to ride into Swaledale.

A. Leyburn Shawl supposedly got its name when Mary Queen of Scots who was imprisoned in Bolton Castle escaped and came this way, dropping her Shawl.

B. Bolton Castle was built in the 15th Century for Richard Scrope, Richard 11’s chancellor. The beams for the roof were reputed to have been carried from Penrith.

C. The Wheatsheaf Inn was where the author James Herriot spent his honeymoon.

D. Freeholders Wood is ancient woodland used for coppicing. The Freeholders of Carperby still have the ancient rite to gather firewood here. Dormice have recently been reintroduced to the woods.

E. West Burton Waterfall is famous for it’s beauty, it is particularly magnificent in the summer, after a spate of heavy rainfall.