Day 8 - Wednesday 15 May 2019
Langdon Beck to Rookhope (14.1 miles)
Another beautiful day today and we thanked our lucky stars for this cracking spell of weather we were having. Sue the owner of Langdon Beck runs a very tight ship and our stay with her was just as good as it was in 2015 when we walked The Pennine Way. During Breakfast we had a quick chat with the HCPB & Chris who were all off to Dufton today therefore we wished them all well as our paths would not cross again. Also at Breakfast was a very confident and very suave American chap who was walking The Pennine Way with a couple of guides - if he was made of Chocolate he would have ate himself.
Today would be unchartered territory for us therefore we headed back along the road in the direction of Middleton for half a mile to then head off up towards Hanging Shaw and it was just after here near Scar End that we had to divert slightly to avoid some cows who were clearly not enamoured by our presence. From Scar End to Swinhope Head we encountered only the vaguest of paths but in good visibility the way ahead was never in doubt and the only real issue was the tussocky nature of the terrain. After a quick lunch we made our way from Swinhope Head to Westgate via a very quiet tarmac road therefore we made good time. Westgate was extremely quiet and we made a hopeful effort to seek out the village pub which you guessed it - was shut! It was now very warm and with morale well & truly dented we were straight into a 20% incline up to the turn off for Chester House.
From Chester House the route passes over farmland to reach Heights Quarry - a very busy place with lorries in and out and we made our way right through the middle and out the other side. Clear of the quarry, the route to Rookhope was delightful apart from the disgusting state of one of the farms near the village - rubbish and detritus everywhere unfortunately. As expected Rookhope was very quiet however our digs for the night, The Rookhope Inn was open as we were reliably informed by the owner who was relaxing outside as we arrived. Only one thing for it then and that was to enjoy a drink sat in the sun before checking in.
The accommodation at the The Rookhope Inn can best be described as basic however the price per night does just about reflect this. We had all that we required plus the food and welcome from both the staff & locals was superb.
Today would be unchartered territory for us therefore we headed back along the road in the direction of Middleton for half a mile to then head off up towards Hanging Shaw and it was just after here near Scar End that we had to divert slightly to avoid some cows who were clearly not enamoured by our presence. From Scar End to Swinhope Head we encountered only the vaguest of paths but in good visibility the way ahead was never in doubt and the only real issue was the tussocky nature of the terrain. After a quick lunch we made our way from Swinhope Head to Westgate via a very quiet tarmac road therefore we made good time. Westgate was extremely quiet and we made a hopeful effort to seek out the village pub which you guessed it - was shut! It was now very warm and with morale well & truly dented we were straight into a 20% incline up to the turn off for Chester House.
From Chester House the route passes over farmland to reach Heights Quarry - a very busy place with lorries in and out and we made our way right through the middle and out the other side. Clear of the quarry, the route to Rookhope was delightful apart from the disgusting state of one of the farms near the village - rubbish and detritus everywhere unfortunately. As expected Rookhope was very quiet however our digs for the night, The Rookhope Inn was open as we were reliably informed by the owner who was relaxing outside as we arrived. Only one thing for it then and that was to enjoy a drink sat in the sun before checking in.
The accommodation at the The Rookhope Inn can best be described as basic however the price per night does just about reflect this. We had all that we required plus the food and welcome from both the staff & locals was superb.
The church of St James the Less, Langdon Beck
Cronkley Scar
Leaving the B6277 at Langdon Beck we came across this little chap
Not much of a path for the next few miles but at least there were helpful way marks to keep us on the straight & narrow
It wasn't me - I just sneezed honest.
Looking back over a big load of nowt to our route from Langdon Beck
This was great walking - nothing here but the odd bit of path. We were aiming for the Telegraph Pole in the far distance................
.................. and here it is at Swinhope Head
Looking to Swinhope Head as we head to Westgate
From the telegraph pole all the way to Westgate was on tarmac - absolutely no traffic seen at all
Approaching Westgate
Westgate's only pub was shut therefore we headed out of the village straight into a 20% incline.....................
........... and on it went all the way to the Quarry
Heights Quarry near Westgate
The route goes straight through the middle of the quarry which produces limestone aggregate.
The route goes straight through the middle of the quarry which produces limestone aggregate.
Last bits for today as we head over Hanging Wells Common to Rookhope
Rookhope
Pigeons in Flight, I wanna see yer tonight............. (hopefully some people will get it)
The War Memorial in Rookhope
Day 8 Data
|
Mileage
Cumulative Mileage Time Total Ascent |
13.2 miles
96.1 miles 6hrs 30mins 1509ft (460m) |