Redmire and Bolton Castle

Short Walk. Sunday 20th June. Around 4 miles. Redmire Village, Bolton Castle, back to Redmire, walk down the village and down Mill Lane, to see Redmire Force, walk high above the river and down tracks back to Redmire village.

O.S. Explorer Map OL30.

Catch the train from Leyburn at 10.07 arrives in Redmire at 10.22 Catch the train back from Redmire at 16.19 arrives back in Leyburn 16.35

1. Turn left when you get off the train, and walk to the Reeth Road. Cross the road, take the footpath to Bolton Castle, crossing the bridge over Apedale Beck and walking up the meadows, to come out at Castle Bolton Village. A.

2. After admiring the castle from the outside. B. Turn around and walk back to Redmire, on the lane, at the East side of Castle Bolton village. (East Lane). Return to Redmire, walking down the village to Mill Lane.

3. Walk down to the bottom of Mill Lane and turn right, to admire Redmire Force. Good spot for lunch. C.

4. Return to the gate at the bottom of Mill Lane and cross the lane, going over the stile and taking the footpath high above the river. At the end of the footpath turn left and forward through a large farm gate onto a rutted track. You follow this all the way back to Redmire village. The church of St Mary’s has a fine carved Norman door, and is well worth a visit .D. Make your way back to the station to catch the train back at 16.19. E.

Risk Assessment. An easy walk, suitable for beginners, with a reasonable amount of fitness.

Points of Interest

A. This was the last place in Wensleydale which Turner visited on Monday 29th July 1816. He spent some time here, sketching, before continuing on his lonely journey on horse back, to Swaledale.

B. Note how the cottages on both sides of the village green face south, to take advantage of the sun, and possibly the wonderful view too!
Bolton Castle’s most famous visitor was Mary Queen of Scots who was imprisoned here in 1568.

C. Redmire Force is a series of small waterfalls on the river Ure, not quite as spectacular as Aysgarth Falls nevertheless they are well worth a visit!

D.The name Redmire comes from Reedy Marsh, this part of the dale would have been marsh land in ancient times. It is a pretty village which over looks Penhill, 3 miles away. Until the middle of the 19th century coal from the moors above the village provided much of the village’s livelihood. Each miner also kept a cow and subscribed to a cow club. This paid the wage of a herdsman, who looked after the cattle.

E. The station at Redmire was closed to passenger trains in 1954 but, thanks to the hard work of members of the Wensleydale Railway it re opened in 2004. It is hoped that the track will soon be extended to Bolton Castle and Aysgarth Falls.