Grassington

Grassington is mentioned in the Domesday Book as part of the Gamal Barn Estate, but after the Norman Conquest it became part of the lands belonging to Gilbert Tison, until around 1118, when he fell out of favour, and the lands returned to King Henry I (Henry Beauclerc the fourth son of William the Conqueror), who then gave them to Lord Percy.

Grassington was originally called Gherinstone, it was also known as Gersington. The name Grassington derives from the Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon and Gothic languages and means either the town of the grassy ings or a farmstead surrounded by grass.

Grassington village was granted a Royal Charter to hold a market and a fair in 1282 giving it the market town status.

The Old Hall at Grassington is reputedly the oldest house in Yorkshire, dating from the late 13th or early 14th century.

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31st January 2010

The River Wharfe near Grassington

Grassington is around 30 miles North West of Leeds, bypassing Otley, and going through Ilkley and then on to Bolton Abbey. I have yet to look around the village itself. I parked in the Grassington National Park Centre car park (pay & display), off Hebden Road (OS Grid Ref: SE 00304 63754).

The start of my walk just along from the car park

As it was the end of January, it was cold, but a lovely sunny day, lots of blue sky, but there was also still snow in places and some ice.

After parking up, and getting my kit sorted, I headed out of the car park back onto Hebden Road, turning right. Following the road until I came to a sharp left-hand bend, it is here I took the lane that goes straight on, there is a footpath sign to Burnsall. Following the lane down past Brow Well Fisheries, where the lane turns into a track following the bank of the River Wharfe, the track then bends round to the right towards a sewage works. If you look to the right, there are some stepping stones over the river. I chose not to follow the track to the right, instead I continued straight ahead along the Dales Way path. The track crosses a footbridge over a stream, soon after this, the track starts to follow the river bank once more, to the left there is a high bank. I continued along the track through a gate.

While walking along the bank, I noticed group of canoeists, going along the river, just the thought of capsizing in that cold water made me shiver!

Eventually the track arrives at Hebden Suspension Bridge, it is here that I crossed the river, for the more adventurous people out there, there are more stepping stones.

The footbridge over the River Wharfe

Now on the opposite bank, I continued along the Dales Way path. I found somewhere to have a break next to the river, where I had a coffee from my flask and a bite to eat before continuing along the track. You soon come to some small rapids, where the river goes left by Loup Scar and then Wilfrid Scar. It is here that the path goes up a short hill, and you follow the cliff top, with the river below, you then descend back to level ground and Burnsall is in front of you. I continued to follow the river round the right-hand bend, where the road bridge over the river comes into view.

The River Wharfe as it meanders its way through Loup Scar and Wilfrid Scar

You could continue to the road, and continue the walk, but I noticed the Red Lion Hotel. I took this to be around the half way point in the walk, so thought I had earnt myself a pint. You can get to the back of the Red Lion from the track instead of going to the bridge.

Time for a break and a well deserved pint of Theakston Ale

On leaving the pub I turned right and followed the road towards Grassington, walking through this lovely little village. Shortly after leaving the pub the road does a sharp right, just after this, there is a footpath on the left just before a house, I followed this path down the side of the house into and open field. Following the footpath through the field to a drystone wall with a stile in it, continuing straight, through a number of fields, after the 8th field, bare slight right through the 9th field, towards a couple of trees, just before the trees there is another stile, go through this and head straight across the field to a track called Badger Lane. Cross the track into the next field, following the well-trodden footpath as it bends to the left, continue to follow through the next stile. Continue through the next 2 fields to a tree line and Starton Beck (OS Grid Ref: SE 01929 61697). Cross the beck and head up hill to the left of a small wood.

The Red Lion Hotel near to the road bridge over the River Wharfe Burnsall.

Once at the top, head left to join a farmers track with dry-stone walls to both sides. Follow the track to its end where it joins Kail Lane, turn left and head past the farm on the left, heading into the village of Thorpe.

Continue to follow Kail Lane round to the right through the village, as you start to leave the village, you arrive at a fork in the road, go left into Thorpe Lane. Continue along Thorpe Lane past the 1st footpath, to the 2nd footpath on the right, this takes you through a field with a wall to the left which leads to a small wooded area. Continue into and across the next field, you now end up on a farmers track, going past another small wood on the right. Follow this track into a farmers yard, keep right, following the track out onto a lane, go right here, this takes you into the lovely village of Linton.

At the end of the lane is Lauradale Land (B6265), go right here, and follow the lane to a crossroads, go straight across into Church Road, following Church Road until it bends sharp right, go straight on, following a track round the back of some houses, this leads to Linton Falls.

By the time I got to the falls, it was getting late, and not a great deal of light left, plus if I am honest, I was knackered, I just wanted to get back home, so I didn’t get many photos of the falls, but I knew I would return. From here go over the bridge and follow the track back up to the car park.

Linton Falls

Sorry for the lack of real detail, but I did this walk way back in 2010 and I have only just got around to typing it up now in 2019 (note to self, I must write something up about a walk as soon as possible after the walk). It was a lovely walk, a bit cold due to the time of year, lots of ice and even snow on the ground in places.

22nd April 2018

Barden Tower

On 22/04/2018 I returned to Grassington, parking in the same car park. That morning when I got up, the sun was shining, and not a cloud in the sky (shorts weather). I got myself ready left the house, and headed to Grassington, my plan was not to do the previous walk again, just to take some photos in and around the area (I have recently upgraded my camera to a Canon 800D, so this would be my first real time out taking photos). Well I pulled into the car park, and the heavens opened up!! I had not come prepared (which is unusual for me, as I normally pack the boot of my car for every event). I paid for parking (£4.50 for over 2 hours), and sat in my car, waiting to see if it would blow over, I then had a walk to the National Park Centre, and had a look around the shop, then back to my car. After maybe a couple of hours, I decided this weather was in for the day, so decided to head off home.

Barden Tower

On the way back, I was thinking of stopping for a cuppa in Burnsall, but all the free spaces seemed to have been taken, so I continued my journey home. As I drove I noticed a ruin of a castle/tower (I had seen this on my previous visit), I thought that might make a great photo, but thought I would not get a chance to park on this country road, but as I came around the bend near to the ruin, I noticed a couple of cars parked in a sort of layby, so I pulled over. It was still drizzling with rain, so I didn’t take my camera, I just thought I would see what it was all about and take any photos with my mobile.

A Playschool opposite Barden Tower.

The ruin is called Barden Tower, Barden Tower was built by Henry Clifford - the so-called Shepherd Lord - after the restoration of his lands and titles following the Wars of the Roses. Originally a rectangular three storey fortified house, it was later expanded by Lady Anne Clifford but thereafter was abandoned and allowed to drift into ruin.

After spending around 45 minutes exploring the tower, I returned to my car and headed off home.

28th December 2018

Linton Falls

On 28/12/2018, I again headed off to Grassington (my last outing of 2018), again a dry start to the day, but this time I went prepared (or so I thought). I again parked up in the car park of the National Park Centre, and yet again it started to rain! So once again I paid for parking, and then headed of to the National Park shop for a quick look around (in the hope it would soon stop raining), I was greeted by the lady in the shop, I mentioned I didn’t seem to have much luck when I come to Grassington, as it has rained on my previous visit also.

A lovely row of cottages in Grassington

I then headed into Grassington Market Town centre just to waste a bit of time. I got my self a pork pie for a snack and then headed back to the car. I sat in my car for a while feeling a bit of déjà vu. Looking out of the car window, I scanned the horizon, looking for any hope that the day would clear up. As before, I wasn’t here to do a walk, I just wanted to take some photos of Linton Falls. Eventually I thought oh well, I am here now, and this time I am prepared! So, I went to the boot of my car to sort my gear out, it was then that I realised I wasn’t as prepared as I thought I was, I had left my walking boots at home! I still had my walking shoes on so not a major problem.

Some lovely views despite the weather

I headed through the car park to the gate in the bottom left hand corner of the car park, once through the gate I just followed the path down to the bridge over the falls. Just before the bridge, you can take the track on the left, which would take you along the banks of the River Wharfe to Burnsall (part of the route I took back in 2010), or you can go right through a gate and follow the bank of the River Wharfe towards Conistone. It was this direction I took, I followed the path, but only as far as the large weir. It was here that I started to take some photos, trying to remember to clear the lens of rain drops (a few of my photos were ruined due to rain drops on the lens). I then headed back towards the bridge, occasionally stopping to take photos.

The large weir

Once back at the bridge I headed along the path towards Burnsall, trying to find a way down to the rivers edge to get a better shot of Linton Falls, but there was a barbed wire fence all along the edge of the field. I had noticed though that the fence had been damaged at some point, which gave me easy access to the river bank (just a step over the barbed wire). Once over this obstacle, I made my way down to the river and then back towards the falls (a bit of scrambling over rocks). I found a couple of good spots to take photos. After taking quite a few photos I headed back the way I had come over the barbed wire then back to the bridge.

Linton Falls

This time I headed across the bridge then followed the path left down some steps to like a viewing area, after taking more photos I headed back over the bridge and up the path to the car park and back to my car (the weather had now started to pick up), I then headed home.

I intend to go here again, but hopefully with better weather, and hopefully the barbed wire will be in the same state, so I can get down to the falls.

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