Bowes, God's Bridge, Trough Heads & The Trough -
Saturday 7 September 2019
Route
Bowes - Mill Force - Gilmonby - West Pasture - Lady Myres - West Charity - God's Bridge - Trough Heads - Intake Bridge - Seven Hills - The Trough - Swinholme - Bowes Castle - Bowes
Parking
Bowes & Gilmonby Village Hall (Free) - Grid Reference NY 996135 (Postcode is DL12 9HR)
Mileage
9.7 miles
Terrain
Farm tracks & moorland paths
Weather
Sunny spells & light breezes
Time Taken
4hrs
Total Ascent
846ft (258m)
Map
OL31 North Pennines (Teesdale & Weardale)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
Bowes - Mill Force - Gilmonby - West Pasture - Lady Myres - West Charity - God's Bridge - Trough Heads - Intake Bridge - Seven Hills - The Trough - Swinholme - Bowes Castle - Bowes
Parking
Bowes & Gilmonby Village Hall (Free) - Grid Reference NY 996135 (Postcode is DL12 9HR)
Mileage
9.7 miles
Terrain
Farm tracks & moorland paths
Weather
Sunny spells & light breezes
Time Taken
4hrs
Total Ascent
846ft (258m)
Map
OL31 North Pennines (Teesdale & Weardale)
Walkers
Dave, Angie & Fudge
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GPX File
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Walk Description
The start of the walk opposite the Bowes & Gilmonby Village Hall. The Car Park is fairly large with room for plenty of cars.
From the Car Park the walk heads south towards Gilmonby however we broke off to the west to visit Mill Force which is accessed by a lovely path running alongside the northern bank of the River Greta
Mill Force - modest waterfalls but lovely all the same and well worth the detour
Retracing our steps from Mill Force we headed into Gilmonby turning right to head down the access road to several farms
The farm at Westgates - the route passes around the farm on a track to the left of the cattle grid
Having passed Lady Myres Farm we were now on the Bowes Loop of the Pennine Way
West Charity Farm
Crossing Sleightholme Beck at Cardwell Bridge - the confluence with the River Greta is a few yards to the north
The Red Admiral Butterfly
God's Bridge with the Pennine Way heading up to the north. The A66 is up ahead and the Pennine Way crosses this busy road by way of a subway. To the left is one of many lime kilns that are in and around this area.
The Bridge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is a natural limestone bridge over the River Greta, 3km upstream from Bowes. The bridge was formed by a process of cave development in the limestone beneath the river bed and is the best example in Britain of a natural bridge formed in this way. The SSSI covers a portion of the river above and below the bridge where shallow cave development by solutional activity is still taking place.
The Bridge is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and is a natural limestone bridge over the River Greta, 3km upstream from Bowes. The bridge was formed by a process of cave development in the limestone beneath the river bed and is the best example in Britain of a natural bridge formed in this way. The SSSI covers a portion of the river above and below the bridge where shallow cave development by solutional activity is still taking place.
Heading south on Wytham Moor looking back to God's Bridge
Trough Heads
This is the point on the Pennine Way where the path splits to form the Bowes Loop coming from the direction of Tan Hill - either carry on to Bowes (The Loop) or head for God's Bridge & Baldersdale. The loop was formed because of the dearth of accommodation around these parts, particularly in Baldersdale. Heading for Bowes negates a very long day to Middleton-in-Teesdale should no bed for the night be available in Baldersdale. The Bowes Loop was the option we took when we completed The Pennine Way in 2015 - a link to the blog is here
This is the point on the Pennine Way where the path splits to form the Bowes Loop coming from the direction of Tan Hill - either carry on to Bowes (The Loop) or head for God's Bridge & Baldersdale. The loop was formed because of the dearth of accommodation around these parts, particularly in Baldersdale. Heading for Bowes negates a very long day to Middleton-in-Teesdale should no bed for the night be available in Baldersdale. The Bowes Loop was the option we took when we completed The Pennine Way in 2015 - a link to the blog is here
The Intake Bridge over Sleightholme Beck
From the Intake Bridge the route doubles back on itself to head along the southern side of Sleightholme Beck.
Seven Hills are to the right of shot - we were off there next.
Seven Hills are to the right of shot - we were off there next.
Angie waited on the track whilst I headed over to the modest climb of Seven Hills
Sleightholme Beck and the farm at Trough Heads
Atop Seven Hills
The modest summit of Seven Hills
Seven Hills Tarn from the summit
The head of The Trough
Another view of the head of The Trough.
The Trough is also known as Sleightholme Beck Gorge and was formed as a result of glaciation. The gorge is incised through Limestone and is of particular interest because beds of sandstone in the middle of the section show structures characteristic of a shoreline.
The Trough is also known as Sleightholme Beck Gorge and was formed as a result of glaciation. The gorge is incised through Limestone and is of particular interest because beds of sandstone in the middle of the section show structures characteristic of a shoreline.
This is a beautiful area with absolutely nobody here
Above The Trough with Sleightholme Beck below
Sleightholme Beck flowing through The Trough
We were now back on The Pennine Way heading back to Bowes by way of the bridge crossing the River Greta at Swinholme
Approaching Bowes Castle
The Keep of Bowes Castle
The medieval castle was probably built between 1171 & 1187 on the site of the Roman Fort of Lavatris. It was of strategic importance to Henry II to repel Scottish invaders which it eventually had to do in 1174. Robert the Bruce came and had another go between 1314 & 1322. By 1341 the castle was reported to be badly in need of repair and it is thought that stone from the castle was used to build other buildings nearby.
The medieval castle was probably built between 1171 & 1187 on the site of the Roman Fort of Lavatris. It was of strategic importance to Henry II to repel Scottish invaders which it eventually had to do in 1174. Robert the Bruce came and had another go between 1314 & 1322. By 1341 the castle was reported to be badly in need of repair and it is thought that stone from the castle was used to build other buildings nearby.
St Giles Church, Bowes
Journeys End at The Ancient Unicorn in Bowes which is very near the Car Park.
This delightful pub is where Dickens researched the state of the country's education system because children were mistreated and forced to labour in the fields, whilst proprietors took money from their often unwitting parents and guardians.
This delightful pub is where Dickens researched the state of the country's education system because children were mistreated and forced to labour in the fields, whilst proprietors took money from their often unwitting parents and guardians.
Fudge had another good day but was sulking because Crisps are bad for him - he did get some doggy treats but it is never enough!