Local Area Information
Here are just some of the local attractions in the surrounding area:
Forest of Bowland
Bowland is essentially upland country forming part of the Pennines, sharing many of the characteristics of other upland areas like the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales National Park but its essential landscape character is one of grandeur and isolation. The area is dominated by a central upland core of deeply incised gritstone fells with summits above 450m and vast tracts of heather-covered peat moorland.
The fells’ fringe of foothills is dissected by steep-sided valleys which open out into the rich green lowlands of the Ribble, Hodder, Wyre and Lune Valleys. Well-wooded and dotted with picturesque stone farms and villages, these lower slopes, criss-crossed by drystone walls, contrast with and complement the dramatic open sweep of the gritstone heights.
Gisburn Forest Cycleway – Gisburn is the largest forest in Lancashire and is managed by Forest Enterprise. Within the forest, adjacent to Stocks Reservoir, you’ll find several colour-coded mountain bike trails which can be accessed from designated car parks. The shortest ones are suitable for younger children or the inexperienced. Walkers can make use of any of the forest tracks but cyclists must keep to the way marked routes.
Malham
Malham is one of the most popular destinations for visitors to the Yorkshire Dales. It is particularly popular with walkers of all abilities and you are sure to find it busy all year round.
A short walk from the village centre is the world famous Malham Cove. The walk up to the cove is very gentle and once you arrive it is the perfect place for a picnic. Those who feel more adventurous can take the steps up the side of the Cove, up to the amazing limestone pavement above, passing the occasional rock climber on the way. Beyond this there are further walks up to Malham Tarn and beyond.
There are two pubs within the village, both serving food daily.
For more information on this area (including walks) please visit malhamdale.com
Skipton
The Town centre of Skipton still has cobbled streets on the High Street market area and around Victoria Square. Here the weekly market attracts people who live in the surrounding Dales area.
The top of the main street beyond the Skipton Town hall and Museum is overlooked by Skipton Castle and the Holy Trinity Church, with its beautiful grounds. This is also the area where you will find the old Corn Mill and a range of gift shops,resturants and unique independant shops. Craven Court on the High Street is a quaint shopping arcade and at the far end of town , you can enjoy the expanse of Airville Park. This is easily reached by the canal towpath and close to the Railway Station.
Yorkshire 3 Peaks
The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Walk is a rugged, high mountain walk over a variety of terrains and should not be underestimated.
Whilst the walking is generally pretty good it is very long for a single day’s hike. It also includes three big climbs totaling 1586m (5202ft) of ascent with the last climb up onto Ingleborough – when the legs are tired and the spirit is weak – being particularly steep.
As with all mountainous areas, the weather can change frequently and very quickly. Swirling mist can descend with little warning and heavy rain can turn hard ground into stamina sapping bog.
Everyone without exception attempting The Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge Walk should be fully prepared, fully equipped, carry suitable maps for the area and a fully detailed, up-to-date Yorkshire Three Peaks Route Guide
The map you will need is Ordnance Survey 1:25000 series Explorer Map OL2 Yorkshire Dales – Southern & Western Area.
Settle to Carlisle Railway
The 72 mile route from Settle to Carlisle takes you on a journey through the magnificent Yorkshire Dales, over the 24 arches of the Ribblehead Viaduct before plunging in to the longest tunnel on the line at Blea Moor. Emerging onto the side of Dentdale, the line leaves the Dales at Garsdale and makes it way through the gentle, lush rolling hills of the Eden Valley, with rural villages and market towns before arriving at the great border city of Carlisle.
Daily passenger services operate over the line from Leeds to Carlisle – there is no need to book. The Timetables are available on website for Northern Rail or you can pick one up at the local Station this will provide you with details of times of these services which are operated by modern diesel unit trains. Steam and diesel charter services also operate over the line from time to time.
Watershed Mill Visitor Centre
Located in the market town of Settle, the Watershed Mill is set in the beautiful surroundings of the Yorkshire Dales and is only 5 minutes walk from the famous Settle to Carlisle Railway. Relax in our Country Kitchen Coffee Shop, and view our extensive range of clothing. Take at look at our Real Ale Shop and view our extensive range of traditional Yorkshire and regional ales. Our Whisky Shop stocks over 100 single malt whiskies with many available to taste.
- Opening Times Monday – Saturday 10.00am – 5.00pm Sunday 11.00am – 5.00pm
- Coffee shop closes 4.30pm every day
There have been Mills on the Langcliffe stretch of the River Ribble since the Middle Ages with two, High Mill and Old The Watershed Mill, Settle Mill having been built by the Monks of Furness Abbey.
Previously known as The Shed, Watershed Mill dates back to 1785. Situated close to the larger High Mill, it was built as a cotton mill to house the new spinning machines of the age, invented by a friend of the mill owners, Richard Arkwright.
It was converted into a weaving mill in the 1820’s, however financial difficulties encountered by the mill’s owners led to its closure in 1855 leaving many workers to find employment elsewhere.
Both High Mill and Watershed Mill were bought in 1861 by Lorenzo Christie from Derbyshire, who replaced the building’s weaving looms with spinning machines, and then doubling machines. Lorenzo’s son, Hector eventually took over the business, bringing families in from Devon, Cornwall and Norfolk tp work in the mills. Children aged 10 to 14 often worked part-time, going full-time in the mill when they reached 14. The working day would start at 6am and finish as 5.30pm, with half an hour for breakfast and one hour for lunch.
Hector Christie was responsible for the building of the Langcliffe Institute for the local community, which is still used today and in St Alkedas church there is a plaque in the wall commemorating him.
By the 1930’s, High Mill emlployed around 250 people, with over 100 working at Watershed Mill. By then, the working day started slightly later at 7.30am, but if a worker was late, one penny was deducted from their wages. Other compensations, however, included an excellent sports complex with tennis courts and greens for bowling and putting.
Both High Mill and Watershed Mill closed in the early 1950s. Watershed Mill was initially purchased by corn merchants who used it as a warehouse, but it was eventually bought by the Edinburgh Woollen Mill who have turned the Mill into one of the area’s leading retail destinations, preserving it for future generations.
If you want to know more, or if you have any questions, please get in touch. We will be only too happy to help.