AN EXPLORATION OF BLEASDALE from CALDER VALE

 

 


Summary

Date - 1st May 2015 Distance - 13 miles
Ascent -
1340ft
Map - OL41 Start point - Calder Vale Club (SD 5302 4554)

 

Summits Achieved

No summits were reached on this walk

 

Preface

Southey was tapping away on the laptop, with Allen & Tetley looking over his shoulder, when Shaun with Little Eric hitching a ride on his back and Grizzly came in.

"What are you on with pals?", asked Little Eric, jumping down off Shaun's back.

"We are looking at the pictures Dad took on our last walk round Wyresdale", replied Tetley. "They have come out fine, and there should be ample to use for the account of that adventure."

Looking up Allen's face broke into a smile. "Ooh tea. I'm gasping for a cuppa."

"No change there then", said Tetley, letting out a bellow of laughter.

What are the cakes?", asked Southey, abandoning the laptop for now.

"Little Eric has made flapjack, and I have made apricot and peach slice, a new recipe I found in a magazine", replied Grizzly.

"They both sound delicious", said Allen who had returned with the mugs and plates. "I'll have piece of each, please.

Tetley assisted Shaun pouring the tea and soon we all had steaming mugs in paw. "The cake you made Grizzly, is scrumptious", said Shaun.

"And the flapjack too", added Southey.

"We know that Dad has had a very busy time over the last few weeks, and this has made him a bit stressed again, but he told me that taking it easy this last week he feels better and has suggested we go walking on Friday, as it looks to be the best day of the Bank Holiday weekend", said Allen.

"So we need to come up with an idea then?", went on Southey.

Shaun jumped in saying, "I have been looking at the map and have found that there is quite an area of Bleasdale, which we have never explored."

"That sounds a good idea", said Grizzly. "Where is the best place to start from?"

"Calder Vale", replied Shaun. "We actually walked through it some years ago on a walk that started in Garstang."

"Oh yes, I remember that. It is very pleasant countryside", agreed Tetley.

Grizzly had gone to get the map and spread it out, pointing, "here is Calder Vale."

So with collective suggestions from us all a route was devised. "It looks to be quite a long way", said Southey a little worriedly.

"I'll get the map measurer, and run it round the route", said Shaun. "About 11 miles", he said after a minute or so.

"It does not involve much climbing, so I am sure Dad will be OK with it", said Allen as he folded the map and went off to see.

As he came in the smile on his face told us it was on. "Great", cheered Tetley.

"Roll on Friday", cried Southey and Little Eric.

The Walk

Getting up early we got the picnic packed and stowed in Allen's rucksack. Soon after 09:00 Dad called out, "I'm ready"

"OK", replied Grizzly, as we dashed out to settle in the car, calling out "goodbye", to Uncle Brian.

"Have a good day Lads" he replied.

Going to Galgate we then took the road to Oakenclough. Turning right the road was followed until we came to the left turn down to Calder Vale.

"I remember that seat at the corner", called out Tetley. "We sat there for our lunch."

"Where are we parking?", asked Southey.

"At the sports club, although it would be easier if we could park down in the village, but from information I saw on the Internet, there is not much room, particularly as the mill is in full production", replied Dad.

Well Dad drove down and as he had suspected there was nowhere, so the sports club it was. "It says the parking is private", pointed out Southey.

"I don't think that will be a problem", replied Dad.

Soon ready and us safely tucked in the rucksack, Dad strode off down to the village crossing the River Calder and then turning left past a row of houses, to reach the road end and come to this sign.

"The outward route is on the footpath to the church", said Shaun. Then glancing again at the map, he said, "at the end we will come down the other path from Landskill."

Through the gate we walked the tarmac path, passing this small lake to the right. "That makes a pretty scene", said Tetley. "I guess this was once the mill pond that long ago was associated with powering the mill."

The river ran to the left and the bluebells were just coming out on the banks and the hillside above. "They will be a terrific sight in a couple of weeks", commented Little Eric.

Along here we met a local lady walking her dog and Dad stopped to chat, as she had noticed us. Dad explained briefly and then she said, "what a great day for a walk."

Dad then showed her the route we had devised, and she pointed out, "you will pass near to the Bronze Age site of Bleasdale Circle, which is worth a visit."

"Thank you for that", replied Dad, "it will certainly be worth making the deviation to visit."

The path meandered through the woods, passing this seat celebrating the millennium.

From here the path climbed steeply, to soon arrive at St John's Church and school. "Can we go in?", asked Grizzly.

"Yes lad", replied Dad. However it was not to be as the door was locked.

"Never mind pal, we pass another church later in the walk so perhaps that will be open", comforted Allen.

"OK, we walk along that lane to the corner, and then it is right to Lower Landskill Farm", instructed Shaun.

Through the buildings the route was left through a kissing gate into pasture and then slightly right to the top corner and over the stone step stile in the wall. The waymark now directed us by the fence on the left, which was followed as it bent left to a kissing gate.

"Blimey what a mess inside the kissing gate", remarked Tetley. "Just mud and lying water too."

"I'll use the frame to avoid the worst of it, lad", replied Dad.

At the next gate we headed half right over the rough pasture and then round the fence right of Rough Moor.

A stile took us onto the access track, and so right to the road. Here Shaun advised, "we turn right."

Passing a house, Little Eric remarked, "according to the map it is called Stang Yule. I wonder what is the origin of the name?"

He was met with only silence as we were all at a loss for an explanation.

"We go left soon", said Shaun.

"There's the signpost", called out Allen.

The grassy trod came quickly to a gate in a wall and so up onto a tarmac drive. "We go right."

Strolling along, Southey asked, "what is that hill over there clothed in trees?"

"Beacon Fell", replied Tetley promptly. "Shaun and I climbed it back in 2004."

"One of the catch-ups for the rest of us then", said Grizzly.

As can be seen the pasture was full of sheep and to Allen's chagrin, this group posed for Dad.

Easy walking for Dad on this drive that took us via a gate to Fell End Farm and on through another gate to pass the imposing Bleasdale Tower, whose gardens were to be open for a weekend shortly.

Passing Brooks Barn, we ignored the waymarked paths left and right, to soon take the left fork as directed by a waymark, passing the buildings of Brooks and its packhorse bridge spanning the River Brock. It was built sometime between 1846 and 1893. "You have got to take a picture of that", called out Southey.

Shaun was peering closely at the map. "We have to take a left fork by a wood corner."

We kept our eyes peeled and after a while Tetley said, "There is no sign, but I think this is where we go left."

Dad had a quick look at the map and replied, "I agree."

This was a rough track leading to a stile by a gate into pasture. "We go on in the same direction, keeping right of that small clump of trees to Admarsh Barn", advised Shaun.

As we approached we saw that it was through a gate on the right, and then left on a track to a gate to the tarmac road, so avoiding the grounds.

In a few yards St Eadmer's Church at Admash-in-Bleasdale was reached.

The church is probably the only one anywhere dedicated to St Eadmer. The earliest record of a chapel on this site is on the map of 1598. It was rebuilt in 1835 by John Dewhurst and restored and enlarged in 1897.

To Grizzly's joy it was open so we all went in to look round. Here is the altar, the reredos having three panels depicting the Last Supper.

And this of the nave looking to the west end, from which can be seen that it still retains its western gallery.

Stepping outside again Little Eric asked, "is this where we make the detour to see the Bleasdale Circle?"

"Yes lad", replied Dad.

There are no footpaths marked on the map", said Shaun, "but if we walk down to the right of the churchyard that will be a good start."

This led to a gate, where from the map, it was clear we should strike left across the pasture.

"I reckon the circle is within that clump of trees, in that further field", said Tetley.

Ewes and lambs were grazing Dad snapping this shot.

"Oh nooo...", cried Allen. "Not another sheep picture."

At the far side, we looked left and right. "There is no stile in this fence", said Grizzly.

"No, but there is a gate in the left fence into the field containing the clump of trees", called out Tetley.

"Right then we need to go left and see if there is a gate in this field", replied Dad.

There was and walking right we came to the second gate, where through it was just straight across to a gate into the trees.

An excellent info board was read and then we visited the circle with its ditch. From the Bronze Age and dating from as far back as 1700 BC, it was rediscovered in 1897 and excavated then and later in 1935. The circle consisted of wooden posts, but having rotted away concrete ones were put in to mark the original positions in 1935. It was also a burial site and remains were found during the excavations. For more information click this link - Bleasdale Circle

Here is a second view looking from the entrance to the circle.

To record our visit we of course had to have our picture taken sitting on one of the posts.

So using our outward route it was back to St Eadmer's Church.

"Look", called out Allen, "there's a seat. How about we sit there for lunch."

"Good idea", agreed Southey, "like you my tummy is rumbling."

It was very pleasant sitting in the churchyard, in the peace and tranquility, with hardly a sound to be heard. Just so very relaxing. Reluctant as we were to move on there was still a considerable part of the walk to do, so settled again in Dad's rucksack, he strode off down the track. This brought us to Bleasdale School and Village Hall, where there was more information about the circle, part of which stated that permission to visit had to be obtained from the headmaster.

"Tetley commented, "that is not much use if the approach is made from the direction of our walk!"

Continuing we soon reached a road at Higher Brock Mill, where Shaun advised, "we go left round some bends and then take a footpath off to the right."

This was up steps to a stile and tiny bridge.

Crossing the pasture to a stile with waymarks pointing left and right, Allen said, "which way now?"

"It's right along by the fence", replied Shaun.

Looking right, Little Eric asked, "what are those fells over there?"

"Fair Snape Fell & Parlick", replied Grizzly. "They are a climb that we have long wanted to do, but our long exploration of the Lakeland Fells and the associated challenges, meant it has taken very much of a back seat."

"It is about time I got climbing the hills again", replied Dad, "so perhaps we can make that our next walk."

"Sounds a great idea", agreed Southey enthusiastically.

And Dad kept his word too, but little did he and us realise today that this would be the catalyst for a new challenge to climb to all the summits in The Forest of Bowland.

Climbing the next stile, the path now went left to a stile into Gill Barn Wood, here going right on a soil path that led to a footbridge over a stream. Above this and hard against the slope the path led on over a section that was duck boarded and a bridge where it had been washed away.

Reaching a footbridge on the right Dad crossed, but almost instantly Shaun said, "this is the wrong way as we are now heading north. This is where the stream joins the River Brock, and we should go on by the river, but in a south-west direction."

"Thanks lad", replied Dad, promptly making an about turn.

The path now took us to a waymarked stile. There were lots of children here engaged in outdoor activities in and by the river. A centre of some sort if the archery targets were any thing to go by.

Shortly a waymark was reached that pointed into a large open area but there was no apparent ongoing path. "We have to get to Snape Rake Lane", said Shaun looking at the map. Then he went on, "the map is not a great deal of help here, I'm afraid."

"Not to worry, we'll find the way", replied Dad reassuringly. "There is a path down there by the river, so I will drop down to it for a start."

On the opposite side was Winsnape Woods, and Grizzly said, "the bluebells make a wonderful display."

Reaching the path, Little Eric called out, "there are waymarks."

"Right" replied Dad, "let's follow them, then."

The path circled back as it climbed, then swung right and soon exited onto Snape Rake Lane.

"You always find the way Dad", said Southey, with relief in his voice.,

At its end it was then along the rocky path that descended steeply to a footbridge over the River Brock.

What goes down must go up, and so it was that Dad had the steep climb out of the river valley to a gate and on along the track to a further gate onto the road.

"We go straight on along Delph Lane", instructed Shaun.

In fact we were to drive this lane quite a number of times in the future on our quest to climb the Bowland Fells.

Counting Shaun then said, "by the third fence line on the right we should go right over a stile in the wall."

We kept out eyes peeled as we walked along, counting off the fence lines, and suddenly Allen called out, "there's the signpost."

Crossing slightly left to a stile midway in the opposite fence, it was on in same direction across the rough pasture. A stile over the wall took us into Huds Wood Plantation and shortly to one on the opposite side out of it. Then across the next field to right of Huds Brook Farm, with this line of trees up on the hill to the right.

It was pretty much a straight line now following the stiled way to eventually climb a double stile either side of a track and then over the pasture to the left of Butt Hill Farm and a stile to the road.

"We go right to the corner", advised Shaun.

"Just look at that sign", laughed Tetley. "You must remember to tell Uncle Bob!"

The signpost indicated right, and this was our way past the farm and then on a tarmac track past Infield House and so to Cobble Hey, where there was a tearoom and shop as well as a visitor attraction to see animals etc.

"Were stopping here, pals", laughed Tetley. "The tearoom is too good to miss for Dad.!"

And, very nice it was too, Dad having a pot of tea, of course, and a piece of absolutely delicious lemon cake and slice of shortbread.

"As it is accessible by car, perhaps a place to take Uncle Brian, sometime", remarked Allen.

So, suitably refreshed Dad strode the rough track. "Those are unusual looking sheep", called out Southey.

"Hmph", said Allen. "You are just trying to wind me up, as I know that we will have to put the picture in the story."

At its end was a waymarked gate into a field and Dad strode on coming to a locked gate, which he climbed and then on over another gate and partly up by fence.

"I don't think this is right", said Shaun, "as surely that is Landskill Farm that we have to walk through, away over to the left."

"You are quite right, Shaun. Whatever am I doing", replied Dad, immediately reversing course over the two gates.

Those highland cattle with young, are rather cute", said Southey, "so seeing them is some compensation."

"We need to go half right", said Shaun.

This Dad did and sure enough there was the correct gate out of the field. The path then climbed beside a fence on the left to a gate in it and so on to a gate into a hedged track and then a waymarked gate into the farmyard at Landskill.

On our previous walks in Wyresdale, we passed a number of inscribed direction stones, and today on this short section we passed more.

First this depicting an acorn and oak leaf..

then this depicting a curlew..

and finally this of a flower..

"We go left along the concrete track past the houses", advised Shaun.

"That really is a black sheep", called out Tetley. "Legs and head as well as the fleece that perhaps is also very dark brown in places."

"Oh I give up!", exclaimed Allen, disgustedly.

The track swung right to a farm then left to descend to Calder Vale, where we retraced the outward route to the car. As we climbed up we had this view of Lappet Mill. This was built in 1835 and powered by the River Calder. We had passed the mill pond early in the walk. Today no longer powered by the river it is nevertheless still a working cotton mill. One of its main products is the red, black and white checked cloth used for Arab headscarves and it was said that Yasser Arafat's headdresses were made at the Mill.

Then further up the hill we had a more general view of the village.

"What a super walk", said Southey. "Thank you Dad as always."

"It was interesting too", added Tetley.

"You're welcome lads,", replied Dad. Then he said, "You had roughly measured it at 11 miles, but with the deviation to the Bleasdale Circle, it has ended up at 13 miles. A good work out and a nice jump in the miles walked so far this year."

back

shopify analytics