The weekend just gone, we packed our camping gear and headed for the Yorkshire Dales and a little site that has featured several times on this blog, Howgill Lodge Campsite near Appletreewick. Even though we have been there several times, we had never walked along the nearby river Wharfe to the village of Grassington before. In fact we almost always head the other way toward Bolton Abbey. A lovely route, but time for a change!
The Dales Way is an 84 -mile long footpath from Ilkley in West Yorkshire to Bowness-on-Windermere in Cumbria. Sorry folks I’m not really up for trekking that far just yet, so instead we did 13 miles ( pretty impressive I thought! ) from Howgill to Grassington and back. Here are a few pictures of things we saw on our way. 🙂
Simon’s Seat up on the Grouse moor. Sadly not a place we can take Hugo, as dogs are strictly forbidden .Another lovely campsite Masons at Appletreewick.Masons is a great place to grab a coffee and homemade flapjack. 🙂This horse wasn’t bothered by us as we trundled by.Saw lots of pretty harebells on route. Witches were said to use the sap of these pale blue flowers, to turn themselves into hares.The Red Lion in Burnsall is the perfect place for a pint. 🙂Here’s an informative board about what kind of people have used the Dales Way.Due to heavy rains in the morning , the river was pretty wild past Burnsall.And the stepping stones at Hebden had all but disappeared , so we used the wobbly Suspension Bridge!Here Goes!A couple of miles later and we spy Linton Church.Anyone fancy a bit of white water rafting? Linton Falls.Pretty spectacular I think.Soon we are in the pretty village of Grassington.The Forester’s Arms is a good place for a chill.And there are some cute little gift shops.Walking back and we see these Greylag Geese.A typical Yorkshire sign!A Heron in a tree.And amazingly………a Green Woodpecker! I was gobsmacked to see one….and actually get a photo. 🙂I love this sign for the Craven Arms at Appletreewick.They always have a great selection of Real ales and ciders. 🙂We head back to the campsite in the evening sunshine.
Hope you enjoyed our mini Dales way ramble. I’m sure it actually was mini to my other half, but I’m quietly impressed with myself. Of course our pub stops probably cancelled out all the calories we burned!
Another post from the Yorkshire Dales coming up soon. x
You looked to have a nice time, its one of my favourite places to go is Grassington, such a pretty village love the houses and the river. At the moment I am into visiting churches and Linton church looks lovely, going on my list to visit. Green woodpecker is a bird I don’t often get to see but they do well in the Yorkshire dales, great to get a photo too.
Lovely post.
Amanda xx
Thanks Amanda. Yes its certainly a lovely area and Linton is not far from Grassington.Very easy to walk to from the National Park centre car park. The Green Woodpecker was further along near Burnsall. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Very exciting!
On 25 July we walked down Trollers Gill and through to the River at Howgill, we then followed the river to The Carven Arms.
We saw a family group of Green Woodepeckers above Trollers Gill. Sadly no chance of a picture, just fleeting glimpses as they flew from one tree to another and lots of calling.
We discussed the view from the seat in Parceval Hall grounds which we looking up to from the valley bottom.
I agree with you about the beer at The Craven Arms, excellent, sat outside lokking at the owner’s 3 litre Bentley and the fantastic views across to Simon’s Seat.
Altogether a great place for a fantastic day out or a holiday.
Thanks John, yes I love the area, especially for camping and walking. Thats amazing that you saw a whole family of green woodpeckers! I was thrilled to see one. I went to Parceval Hall gardens too.Hope to do a post about it soon.The Craven Arms is definitely a favourite country pub of ours when we are in the dales. The food is wonderful and I love the quirky interior.Plus they have a great ale and cider selection, and they welcone dogs.Win win. 🙂
Well done! Looks like a lovely walk. When I saw the Craven Arms, I was reminded of Shropshire and thought no surely you’ve not come up this way in just 13 miles! I say just, but well done! I’m about to do WHW which is 96 miles and we’ve a lot 9-12 mile days with one 18.5. I need to get some practice in….
I’ve NEVER seen a woodpecker (heard them) but especially not a green one, what a rare treat.
sunshine and celandines 
What a lovely walk. Hugo looks like he enjoyed his swim! 😀 That picture of the Green Woodpecker is stunning. What a fantastic sighting!! X
I was very lucky to spot it. Very privileged indeed! X
Very nice walk I need to go more often to Yorkshire dales.
It was indeed….and the lovely weather really made it special.x
Love your photo of a Green Woodpecker! We don’t have any round our way.
Thanks. Its only the second time I have ever seen one. What a beautiful bird!
Thanks. Its only the second ever time I have seen one! A beautiful bird.
Looks lovely! Definitely impressed by 13 miles.
The gorgeous scenery made it worth while.X
You looked to have a nice time, its one of my favourite places to go is Grassington, such a pretty village love the houses and the river. At the moment I am into visiting churches and Linton church looks lovely, going on my list to visit. Green woodpecker is a bird I don’t often get to see but they do well in the Yorkshire dales, great to get a photo too.
Lovely post.
Amanda xx
Thanks Amanda. Yes its certainly a lovely area and Linton is not far from Grassington.Very easy to walk to from the National Park centre car park. The Green Woodpecker was further along near Burnsall. I couldn’t believe my eyes. Very exciting!
Not done this one. 🙂 🙂
You will have to try it out. The suspension bridge at Hebden and the weir at Linton make it pretty interesting.Xx
Lovely pics as always. You certainly get out and about. Not sure I’d have been keen on that bridge either!
Its probably safer than the stepping stones, but makes you feel ever so slightly sea sick!
What a gorgeous walk! We stayed at Masons I think two years ago but I’d like to try Howgill Lodge one day.
Its a great little site. 🙂
On 25 July we walked down Trollers Gill and through to the River at Howgill, we then followed the river to The Carven Arms.
We saw a family group of Green Woodepeckers above Trollers Gill. Sadly no chance of a picture, just fleeting glimpses as they flew from one tree to another and lots of calling.
We discussed the view from the seat in Parceval Hall grounds which we looking up to from the valley bottom.
I agree with you about the beer at The Craven Arms, excellent, sat outside lokking at the owner’s 3 litre Bentley and the fantastic views across to Simon’s Seat.
Altogether a great place for a fantastic day out or a holiday.
Thanks John, yes I love the area, especially for camping and walking. Thats amazing that you saw a whole family of green woodpeckers! I was thrilled to see one. I went to Parceval Hall gardens too.Hope to do a post about it soon.The Craven Arms is definitely a favourite country pub of ours when we are in the dales. The food is wonderful and I love the quirky interior.Plus they have a great ale and cider selection, and they welcone dogs.Win win. 🙂
Well done! Looks like a lovely walk. When I saw the Craven Arms, I was reminded of Shropshire and thought no surely you’ve not come up this way in just 13 miles! I say just, but well done! I’m about to do WHW which is 96 miles and we’ve a lot 9-12 mile days with one 18.5. I need to get some practice in….
I’ve NEVER seen a woodpecker (heard them) but especially not a green one, what a rare treat.
I’m sure you will manage it easily Chelsea. You are alot fitter than me! The Green Woodpecker sighting was definitely the highlight of the walk.:)