Day 1 - Wednesday 8 May 2019
Settle to Horton-in-Ribblesdale (8.5 miles)
Awoke to an awful weather day - it was absolutely honking it down and with the added strong winds would unfortunately remain so for the rest of the day. No matter - it was a short 8 mile day over to Horton-in-Ribblesdale therefore after breakfast we walked the short journey to the start of The Pennine Journey at Settle Station. We had arranged to meet up with Denise and her dog Bertie who had been in touch via Spaniel Aid and very kindly waved us off plus gave a very kind donation to the Charity coffers.
The route headed through the town and soon enough was on open hillside passing through the stunning villages of Langcliffe & Stainforth although the descent into the latter was very precarious due to extremely shiny & wet rock. Once out of Stainforth the walking was over moorland and farm tracks to reach Dub Cote Pasture and then the main road into Horton. After a quick visit to the Church we bypassed The Golden Lion to arrive at the famous Pen-y-Ghent Cafe which was unfortunately closed due to family circumstances. With a couple of hours to kill we headed for The Crown Inn near the station but to our dismay the pub was not dog friendly. With morale dented we washed Fudge off in the River Ribble before making the short walk to the Station Waiting Room where we got talking to one of the railway volunteers - a lovely old boy who "what he didn't know, wasn't worth knowing".
The 1620 to Settle duly arrived and we enjoyed a "free" 8 minute train journey back to the town. Once back in Settle we purchased a carpet picnic from the local Co-op and had a sort out of our kit ready for the first of our baggage pick-ups by Trail Magic tomorrow.
The route headed through the town and soon enough was on open hillside passing through the stunning villages of Langcliffe & Stainforth although the descent into the latter was very precarious due to extremely shiny & wet rock. Once out of Stainforth the walking was over moorland and farm tracks to reach Dub Cote Pasture and then the main road into Horton. After a quick visit to the Church we bypassed The Golden Lion to arrive at the famous Pen-y-Ghent Cafe which was unfortunately closed due to family circumstances. With a couple of hours to kill we headed for The Crown Inn near the station but to our dismay the pub was not dog friendly. With morale dented we washed Fudge off in the River Ribble before making the short walk to the Station Waiting Room where we got talking to one of the railway volunteers - a lovely old boy who "what he didn't know, wasn't worth knowing".
The 1620 to Settle duly arrived and we enjoyed a "free" 8 minute train journey back to the town. Once back in Settle we purchased a carpet picnic from the local Co-op and had a sort out of our kit ready for the first of our baggage pick-ups by Trail Magic tomorrow.
Not the greatest of starts - the weather was just plain miserable at Settle Station. Fudge has a good old shake in doggy protest.
Settle Station
Tomorrow would see us over the other side of the platform to catch the train to Horton to begin Day 2
Tomorrow would see us over the other side of the platform to catch the train to Horton to begin Day 2
With Denise & Bertie who had very kindly made the journey to come and wave us off
The commemorative plaque in Settle Station
(photo courtesy of David Pitt)
(photo courtesy of David Pitt)
And away we go. Just follow these signs and we should be ok - if only it were that simple
We were never that far from civilisation today - once we had left Settle it was not that far to the lovely village of Langcliffe
Here we are - and a very lovely place it was too.
St John the Evangelist Church in Langcliffe - the building dates from 1850
Clearly inflation and decimilisation has not reached Langcliffe yet
The War Memorial in Langcliffe
Next stop Stainforth - there is a pub there apparently
These little chaps were extremely inquisitive
The transit between Langcliffe & Stainforth - Stainforth Scar dominates the view ahead
Heading down into Stainforth
No matter how hard you knock my love that pub is definitely shut
St Peter's Church in Stainforth - the church was constructed between 1839 & 1842
The stepping stones across Stainforth Beck - the beck is a tributary of the River Ribble
Soaked to the skin it was now time to find a dog friendly pub and then catch our train back to Settle
St Oswald's Church, Horton-in-Ribblesdale
This ancient church built in the early 12th Century stands in the shadow of Penyghent, one of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks.
The building has many interesting features, particularly the Norman doorway and tub font with herringbone decoration.
This ancient church built in the early 12th Century stands in the shadow of Penyghent, one of the Yorkshire 3 Peaks.
The building has many interesting features, particularly the Norman doorway and tub font with herringbone decoration.
The famous Pen y Ghent Cafe in Horton-in-Ribblesdale - the cafe used to be the registration point for those attempting the Yorkshire 3 Peaks (Y3P) but is sadly now closed for the foreseeable future. A link to my own attempt on the Y3P in 2013 is here
Here is why it is shut - such a shame
There are two pubs in Horton - this is the better of the two (in my opinion).
We were disappointed to see that it was not dog friendly and as it was still chucking it down we adjourned to the station waiting room
We were disappointed to see that it was not dog friendly and as it was still chucking it down we adjourned to the station waiting room
Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station - again the station was immaculate
The Lithophone at Horton-in-Ribblesdale Station.
The bars are made of Limestone from nearby Horton Quarry and the frame is made of Ash
The bars are made of Limestone from nearby Horton Quarry and the frame is made of Ash
We had an hour or so to wait for the train therefore Fudge took the opportunity to grab a few zeds...................
................ and then when back at the B&B grabbed a few more
Overnight Accommodation
2 nights in King William the Fourth Guest House, Settle
2 nights in King William the Fourth Guest House, Settle
Day 1 Data
|
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Total Ascent |
8.5 miles
8.5 miles 4hrs 15mins 1732ft (528m) |