Day 4 - Saturday 11 May 2019
Askrigg to Keld (11.7 miles)
Our 28th Wedding Anniversary today - what better way to celebrate than walking over beautiful countryside to Keld.
The day dawned sunny (at last!) with hardly any wind to speak of. Breakfast was chaotic - we were sat down at 0830 however the Waitress was late, nothing laid out etc. She finally arrived and with a full Dining Room she struggled bless her as she appeared to be a one-man band this morning.
The walk out of Askrigg was a long and steep pull on tarmac up a 25% gradient onto the common where thankfully the gradient eased to eventually level out as we headed to Oxnop Head. The next few miles to Gunnerside via Satron was simply delightful walking - in complete solitude apart from meeting & chatting to a chap out riding his trusty steed. At Gunnerside we visited an old haunt from our Coast to Coast walk namely the Ghyllfoot Tea Room. From Gunnerside we headed to Keld along the River Swale via Ivelet & Rampsholme Bridge which is a walk we have done many times and it never fails to disappoint, particularly on such a gorgeous day.
From Rampsholme Bridge there is the option to head to Keld via the Western or Eastern side of the Swale - we stuck with the official route to the West. Arriving in Keld and as it was our Anniversary we had our second cake stop at Park Lodge before walking up to the B&B at Butt House to a lovely welcome from Chris and Jacqui. We have stayed at Butt House several times now therefore if you are ever in the area then this place is a must. I had e-mailed them both a few days before we arrived to ask if they would charge a bottle of Bubbles to our room to celebrate our Anniversary and they duly obliged, complete with card saying the Prosecco was on them plus treats for Fudge - how lovely of them both. There are no places to dine in Keld therefore Chris & Jacqui do Evening Meals and therefore we had an excellent Dinner in the company of our fellow guests - 4 Brits who were walking the Pennine Way and 2 Australians walking the Coast to Coast.
The day dawned sunny (at last!) with hardly any wind to speak of. Breakfast was chaotic - we were sat down at 0830 however the Waitress was late, nothing laid out etc. She finally arrived and with a full Dining Room she struggled bless her as she appeared to be a one-man band this morning.
The walk out of Askrigg was a long and steep pull on tarmac up a 25% gradient onto the common where thankfully the gradient eased to eventually level out as we headed to Oxnop Head. The next few miles to Gunnerside via Satron was simply delightful walking - in complete solitude apart from meeting & chatting to a chap out riding his trusty steed. At Gunnerside we visited an old haunt from our Coast to Coast walk namely the Ghyllfoot Tea Room. From Gunnerside we headed to Keld along the River Swale via Ivelet & Rampsholme Bridge which is a walk we have done many times and it never fails to disappoint, particularly on such a gorgeous day.
From Rampsholme Bridge there is the option to head to Keld via the Western or Eastern side of the Swale - we stuck with the official route to the West. Arriving in Keld and as it was our Anniversary we had our second cake stop at Park Lodge before walking up to the B&B at Butt House to a lovely welcome from Chris and Jacqui. We have stayed at Butt House several times now therefore if you are ever in the area then this place is a must. I had e-mailed them both a few days before we arrived to ask if they would charge a bottle of Bubbles to our room to celebrate our Anniversary and they duly obliged, complete with card saying the Prosecco was on them plus treats for Fudge - how lovely of them both. There are no places to dine in Keld therefore Chris & Jacqui do Evening Meals and therefore we had an excellent Dinner in the company of our fellow guests - 4 Brits who were walking the Pennine Way and 2 Australians walking the Coast to Coast.
Heading out of Askrigg
This was at the bottom of the 25% incline - what are we going to be like at the top of it?
No - Angie is actually walking backwards. Give it a try - it takes the pressure off the knees when going steeply uphill.
Looking across Askrigg Common
Cross Top
This is the road from Askrigg to Muker and whilst the terrain was tarmac for a while we saw very little traffic.
This is the road from Askrigg to Muker and whilst the terrain was tarmac for a while we saw very little traffic.
During a break in proceedings, Fudge as usual decided to arse about for a bit.
Looking over to Oxnop Common and the Muker Road - we were heading on a track now over Satron Common
The track over Satron Moor which leads to the hamlet of Satron
This was just great walking - beautiful views and complete solitude
The views over the landscape were just superb today
Is it time for lunch yet?
An ingenious use of a horseshoe
Descending into Satron
Looking over to Gunnerside Pasture
The village of Gunnerside
A disused lime kiln near Satron - a bit odd to see one so close to the road
The bridge over the River Swale leading to Gunnerside
Arriving in the lovely village of Gunnerside - we have been here many times
Gunnerside Methodist Chapel and the War Memorial
As you do! Bit of fuelling.
There are a couple of cafes in Gunnerside - Ghyllfoot has always been our favourite.............
..... oh, and the King's Head
A bit of a squeeze but I just about made it through
Heading along towards Muker via the beautiful River Swale - this is a really delightful stretch of walking
The route leaves the company of the Swale and climbs slightly to head over farmland but soon rejoins the river
Ivelet Bridge
From Ivelet Bridge the path continues to handrail the Swale
Another beautiful stretch of the Swale near Muker
Ramps Holme Bridge over the River Swale
With Kisdon above us we headed along the western side of the Swale although if you prefer there is another route on the eastern side. To stay on the eastern side do not cross Ramps Holme Bridge and instead carry on through Ivelet Wood.
Not far to Keld now and journey's end for today
Swinner Gill
The ruins of Crackpot Hall
Meeting the Pennine Way near Keld - we would now follow this lovely route for the next 3 days to Langdon Beck
The Park Lodge cafe in Keld - they do a cracking Bacon Sandwich but it was cake for us today
The United Reformed Church in Keld
Butt House in Keld - a place we have stayed in quite a few times now
How lovely of the owners of Butt House, Jacqui & Chris to give us a bottle of bubbly as it was our Wedding Anniversary today.
As you can see, Fudge was not left out either!
As you can see, Fudge was not left out either!
Day 4 Data
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
Cumulative Mileage
Time
Total Ascent
11.7 miles
45.9 miles
5hrs 20mins
1640ft (500m)
45.9 miles
5hrs 20mins
1640ft (500m)