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~Lothersdale~

21st April 2012

Lothersdale This Way

Helpful Sign

Scroll down for photos and a description of the walk....

to Lothersdale

to Lothersdale

Lothersdale, Lothersdale?? Where's that then? Well, it's neither here nor there, really. It's near Cononley, Crosshills and Cowling, not far from Earby, maybe between Colne and Skipton. It's tucked out of the way and is seldom seen.

Fields and Walls Sheep
Fields and Walls
Sheep

Walk Views

The walk started at 12:45hrs from the little car park at the high point of the back road between Colne and Skipton. The forecast was for sunshine and showers; however for the first hour or so, the sky was dominated by a heavy, dark grey cloud which rather annoyed me!

Stone Trough

Stone Trough

Upon arriving in Lothersdale (the village) I found this stone trough and was contemplating where to go next when I saw a sign for Raygill Lakes, with a promise of tea or coffee. That should brighten the day up.

Raygill Fisheries

Raygill Fisheries

The fisheries are situated in a former quarry. At the shop and cafe you can pay £1 and you receive a leaflet and gain access to the track on the right-hand side of the flooded quarry. It's more interesting than it looks. In the 1870's many animal bones were discovered in a pothole. The Raygill Fissure yielded bones from Hippopotamus, Cave Lion, Rhinoceros and Bison. It was concluded that the animals had fallen down sink holes. Link for more info at the foot of the page (if I remember to insert such).

Anticline

Folds

Part of the Ribblesdale Fold Belt. Strata stretched and folded at all angles.

The Raygill Fisheries

The Fisheries

I spotted a heron on top of the shed and stealthily approached the bird, hoping for a noteworthy photograph. It turned out to be plastic.

Bethel Chapel Lothersdale

Bethel Chapel

Closed and for sale.

Lothersdale Village Quaker House Lothersdale
West of the Village
Quaker House, Lothersdale
Hare & Hounds Lothersdale Chimney Access Lothersdale Mill
Hare And Hounds, Lothersdale
Chimney Access, Dale End Mill
Garden Terrace Lothersdale Lothersdale Houses
Garden Terrace
Houses in Lothersdale
James Wilson & Son Lothersdale East
Dale End Mills, Lothersdale
East of the Village

Lothersdale Views

The mill dam in the top left photo would have served Dale End Mill. The Friends left in 1959, perhaps they are now on Facebook; Hare And Hounds was open, but I'd already had a break at the cafe at Raygill; the chimney access is open for investigation and you can see right up to the light at the top of the stack. The houses originate from a time of small cottage industry, now most residents will commute to the bigger towns of West Yorks. Soon after, the sun came out and the photos got bigger.

Bird

Bird

possibly a Willow Warbler?, see DD comment below

Lothesdale

Lothersdale

My exit route was not along the Pennine Way, but up the track leading to Tow Top Lane, further to the east of the village.

Tow Top Lane

Tow Top Lane

Dale End Mill chimney is in view and the hill opposite is shown as Town Edge on OS maps.

Tow Top Lane

Tow Top Farm

My route leaves the concrete track just to the left of the farm and heads off to meet the Pennine Way.

Rabbit

Rabbit

Pennine Way Pennine View
The Pennine Way
A Pennine View

Pennine Stuff

Tow Top Farm

Tow Top Farm

A look back to Tow Top Farm and the route I've just taken.

Pinhaw

Pinhaw

The high point of the walk comes just before the end. It's a little unusual for my walks to start with a downhill stretch and finish with a climb, but that's how it is in Walk 32 of my "50 Walks in Yorkshire Dales" book.

Pendle Hill

Pendle Hill

Looking over Thornton Moor to Pendle Hill. Weets Hill is closer and Longridge Fell further away. Those rooftops over to the right belong to the houses of Barnoldswick.

Walkers: Just Me

Time taken: A rather relaxed 4hrs over a distance of about 6.5 miles.

Route: See map below, it's easier. Anti-clockwise, in and out of Raygill.

Lothersdale Map

Weather and conditions: Dull start, sunny intervals to follow. Dry throughout.

Greetings Count: Nobody else on my walking route.

Richard's Refreshment Review: Coffee for a change, at Raygill Fisheries. Visit their link to find out more about this place.

Take me back to the start ....

Take me home....