10th July 2022 Richmond
RICHMOND - is situated right at the top of the Yorkshire Dales and is the lovely region of Swaledale. It is home to the vibrant market town of Richmond founded by the Normans in 1071. In 2021 the castle and the town reached 950 years old!
Visitors can enjoy the impressive castle keep, riverside setting and elegant Georgian architecture. The fast-flowing River Swale meanders around the edge of the town offering lovely riverside walks from the former Station to the waterfall, the ruins of Easby Abbey or through Billy Banks Woods, which climb steeply above the river to Round Howe.
The rugged beauty of Swaledale, and the Northern Yorkshire Dales are a great place for walkers. The views of the countryside around Richmond are stunning and the area is famous for its wildflower meadows, heather moors and waterfalls,
Richmond offers a welcome blend of history and beautiful scenery. Walk even a short distance and you'll stumble across Norman, mediaeval and Georgian architecture, picturesque ruins and fascinating stories including the Drummer
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A Walk Leader Tony Culverhouse Walking Distance 11.5 miles Strenuous
We leave the coach at Nuns Close car park for a town tour of Richmond before heading south-east across fields to Easby Abbey. Then a loop north is followed to the River Swale passing Richmond Castle. Continuing along the river the route then goes through National Trust Hudswell Woods before the river is crossed. A road and track is taken to Whitcliffe Wood which lies between the South east section of Whitcliffe Scar and the River Swale. The River Swale is followed to the Coast-to-Coast Trail. The Coast-to-Coast path is not actually a path in its own right, but a network of paths created by Alfred Wainwright. Next is a road looping north to Deep Dale (Deep Dale Tree) and a footpath along Whitcliffe Scar with great views of Swaledale. There are a good number of stiles on this walk before the final descent to Richmond.
B Walk Leader Michael Counter Walking Distance 9 mile Moderate with 1 steep climb
We alight the coach in Richmond and set off through the market square and descend to the cross the River Swale. A riverside path is now traversed upstream to cross the river again at the footbridge. The route then heads towards Applegarth across open meadows, before we have a steep road walk to the top of Deep Dale. The ridge is now followed, passing Willance’s Leap Memorial and then it’s across level moorland and woodland paths to reach Coalsgarth Gate. We now follow the route down the valley heading towards Low Moor and the old Richmond racecourse. The final journey is urban back into Richmond.
C Walk Leader Carol Higgings Walking Distance 8+ miles Moderate
This is a delightful walk that takes us through countryside and along the river Swale and Gilling Beck. Our walk commences with a woodland walk out to the ruins of Easby Abbey before we head on to Skeeby, a village mentioned in the Domesday Book. Far reaching views (hopefully the weather will be kind to us) are in abundance as we follow well-trod field paths and tracks and across fields of cereal crops. Passing through our most northernly village of the walk, Gilling West, we arrive at the home of the Marquess of Zetland, Aske Hall. Finally, turning south, we head back to Richmond through another small woodland and across fields. Although there is a steady incline on our outward journey it is on the whole gentle and not too taxing. There are 8 stiles in total and 4 squeeze stiles on our homeward section.
D Walk Leader Frank Mason Walking Distance 6 mile Faily Easy
We alight the coach at Nuns Close Coach park in Richmond and then proceed to the interesting Market Square and downhill to the old railway station- now a leisure complex. The route then folls a disused railway track for a short distance then we take a tarmac path to Woodhouse Farm. After walking across some fields we arrive at a small woojd then on to the ruins of Hagg Farm (a few boulders ). We then enter a wood to walk alongthe banks of the River Swale to Iron Bridge and onto the railway track again. Turning right we journey on to a bridge across the River Swale and now fowoll a riverside path to Easby Abbey and St Agatha's Church. After exploring this area for a short timewe continue along the river bank to the Little Drummer Boy stone and near the old railway station once more. The way back from here involves a steep climb up into Richmond and the coach.
PICKUP TIMES AND POINTS
BLACKBURN Coach
08:00 Darwen: Boots Duckworth St
08:05 Darwen: Lynwood Avenue
08:10 Ewood: Empire Theatre
08:15 Blackburn: Penny Street
08:20 Oswaldtwistle: Black Dog
08:30 Oswaldtwistle: The Civic Theatre
08:35 Accrington: Whalley Rd, Kwik Fit4
08:40 Accrington: Victoria Hospital
08:50 Rishton: The Roebuck
08:50 Gt Harwood: LYNDON HOUSE
08:55 Whalley: King Street
09:00 Clitheroe: York Street
BURNLEY Coach
08:02 Padiham: Town Hall
08:05 Padiham: Whitegates
08:10 Burnley: Tim Bobbin
08:15 Burnley: Bus Station
08:20 Burnley: Brennand Street
08:30 Brierfield: Town Hall
08:35 Nelson: Bus Station
08:35 Nelson: Walton Lane/Leeds Rd
08:40 Barrowford: Heritage Centre
08:45 Colne: Alkincoates
08:50 Colne: Library
08:50 Colne: Bus Station
09:00 Barnoldswick pickup & Meetup Point