Journeys 2027
Yorkshire Dales: God's own County 2027
Date
Monday May 17th to Friday May 21st 2027
Nights
4
Cost
£650
Description
The Yorkshire Dales National Park was created in 1954. It is an area of outstanding natural beauty, covering 841 square miles. In 2020 the National Park was named an International Dark Sky Reserve for its low light pollution and good conditions for astronomy. The area’s unique landscape includes managed moorland, pastures and valley grasslands, dry stone walls and nineteenth-century field barns. Livestock farming is deeply interwoven into local life, particularly sheep and cattle.
Running from north to south, Wharfedale is one of the Yorkshire Dales' longest and most beautiful valleys. Wharfedale is often divided into what is arbitrarily known as "Upper Wharfedale" and "Lower Wharfedale" - lying respectively upstream and downstream of the villages of Grassington and Threshfield. Our pilgrimage will take in Lower Wharfedale.
The southern part of the Dale offers riverside scenery and walking experiences like no other. We will explore Bolton Abbey, with its romantic priory ruins on the riverside. We will experience open moorland, limestone and gritstone fells, small woodlands and field patterns. We may hear and see the curlew, lapwing, grouse and many other species of birds.
Walks and Excursions
Each of our three walks are easy going with plenty of time to ‘stop and stare’. If you have never been to this part of England you are in for a treat. God’s own county as the saying goes.
Walk 1: A circular walk in the Bolton Abbey Estate.
7 miles on well-established paths. Mainly flat, with one short incline above the river. Beginning at Barden Bridge we will walk downstream along the bank of the River Wharfe. We may be fortunate to spot many species of birds and ducks. We pass the infamous ‘Strid’, the point at which the River Wharfe is literally squeezed into a tiny limestone channel, the narrowest point being less than 6 feet wide.
Arriving at the Cavendish Pavilion we will have a coffee stop. We continue to the Bolton Priory and the Abbey ruins. The Priory Church of St. Mary and St. Cuthbert is an active Church of England church, serving the village and parish of Bolton Abbey. The current church is the surviving part of the ruined 12th-century Augustinian religious community It is dedicated to Saint Mary, with an altar stone dating back to the time of Thomas Beckett. Time will be given to explore this lovely area of the Bolton Abbey estate.
Our pilgrimage continues upstream along the other side of the River Wharfe through Strid Wood. Strid Wood has many oak trees, the largest collection in the Yorkshire Dales. It hugs the banks of the River Wharfe. The majestic wood is home to a myriad of wildlife including roe deer, otters, kingfisher, and the greater spotted woodpecker. Our walk returns to Barden Bridge.
Walk 2: A 6-mile circular walk from Parcevall Hall
The walk combines pleasant riverside with wild moorland and splendid views. We walk through the nearby hamlet of Skyreholme, on through a farm and outlying fields before joining the River Wharfe. The river always changes in the sounds you hear, from rushing water to still near silence. There will be a myriad of bird life so bring your binoculars if you have them. We leave the river and begin a steady climb up Kai Hill. High above on two contrasting hillsides, one of pure limestone and one of millstone grit, we will enjoy our lunch in the open air with stunning vistas. After our picnic stop, we cross a country road and descend through Troller’s Gill, an old miners’ track where the remnants of mine workings can still be seen. Troller’s Gill passes through a dry riverbed leading on to a peaceful brook and brings us back to the driveway up to Parcevall Hall. There is the Parcevall Hall Gardens café and plant sale at the foot of the driveway. The gardens are open to the public, a hidden gem.
Walk 3: A 5-mile circular walk from Grassington to Hebden
We take cars to Grassington, made famous by the TV series All Creatures Great and Small. Our walk begins from the National Park Visitor Centre and we descend to Linton Falls, a huge cascade of waterfalls, supplying electricity through water power. The water crashes over stepped limestone ledges formed by an ancient earth fault. We continue by the River Wharfe for a couple of miles until we reach the infamous swing bridge and the stepping stones for the more adventurous. Time will be given to experiencing both if you wish. Our walk continues with a steady incline towards Hebden on well-defined paths, crossing mill ponds and Hebden Beck. This will be our lunch stop and afterwards a short stroll into the popular converted School Room Café in Hebden. Opened in 1874, in a decorative gothic style and with a handsome bell tower, the school closed in 1983 and is now a very well used café. Fully recharged we cross the B6265 road, and our walk takes us into the most beautiful countryside with outstanding views over the Dales landscape. Rolling hills - so typical of the Yorkshire Dales. We pass through Grassington Park Estate Meadows, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. There are the ancient trees and an extraordinary variety of plants. In the spring especially the wildflowers will look stunning. We arrive back at Grassington, and time will be given to exploring the scenery from the fictional Darrowby in the TV series and Grassington’s independent shops and cafés.
Accommodation
Parcevall Hall is the Retreat House of the Anglican Diocese of Leeds. It opened as a retreat house in 1963. Parcevall Hall was built on land which belonged to Bolton Priory and is Grade II listed, its oldest part dating back to 1586. Deer are often seen in the grounds.
Sir William Milner bought the house in 1927 from a Skipton antique dealer, Frank Laycock. Sir William was a godson of Queen Mary and an architect by profession, and he set about restoring it with great skill and vision, preserving its original features. He had a passion for plants and a strong aesthetic sense, which he expressed in the design of Parcevall’s gardens, including the planting of rare species collected in Western China and Tibet. The gardens are set in 24 acres and were awarded 2nd place in the Historic Houses Garden of the Year 2022.
There are 17 charming, comfortable bedrooms at Parcevall Hall, and we will be made very welcome and looked after by a team of people. There are common rooms including a beautiful chapel, the solar lounge with an honesty bar, and the William Milner room where we will gather to share worship together. Views out from the terrace are outstanding, including up to Simon’s Seat.
Please indicate on the booking form who you will be sharing with if you require a twin or double room.
We will be full board including three packed lunches. The food is plentiful and delicious at Parcevall Hall. Tea and cake is served daily from 4pm.
Getting there
Arrivals are from 4pm on Monday May 17th. The nearest train station is at Skipton. A taxi ride would follow taking about 25 minutes. We should be able to share taxis when we know the arrival times of trains. Or we can arrange a shared pickup. The address is Parcevall Hall, Skyreholme, Skipton BD23 6DE
Contact & Booking Form
Gill Page gillpage533@gmail.com 07866 936323
Sue Peachey sue9.peachey@gmail.com 07586 478848
After you have contacted the leader to check that a place is still available please complete the details on the Booking Form