Dales Way Day 3 Hubberholm to Ribblehead

It had been raining heavily overnight but luckily had stopped as we set off on our linear walk from Ilkley to Bowness-on-Windermere. We won't be walking as many miles as yesterday's 16. Today it is approx 13.5 but more of a climb as we reach the highest point of the walk.

Jim set off at a good pace as once again we followed the River Wharfe.

Paul striding out to catch up with Jim.

I am often to be found at the back taking photos.

A very narrow gap to squeeze through.

It was very picturesque

Another gate

Another stile

Lambs everywhere but their Mums weren't too far behind.

These bridges seem to be getting narrower.

Time for another group photo

And a solo

You can clearly see the limestone bed of the river here not far from where we cross over it again.

A narrow bridge took us across the ever decreasing river to Beckermonds.

At the other side of the river is East House farm surrounded by hundreds of daffodils. Just beyond the farm we joined the road for about a mile.

By the side of the road was an Edward VII post box. Edward was the eldest son of Queen Victoria and became King on her death in 1901. After reigning for only 9 years he died in 1910. Consequently these post boxes are not that common.

Before entering the village of Oughtershaw we came across this heart shaped well. The guidebook told us that it was erected in celebration of Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in 1887.

Mole catchers hang dead moles on fences as evidence of their work.

On the edge of the village of Oughtershaw is Oughtershaw Hall, a very large manor house. Once owned by Rev T.B. Woodd who was a descendant of Capt Basil Woodd who accompanied King Charles when he was on his way to his execution. The house is probably unrecognisable from that time in its history, as it now boasts an indoor swimming pool, sauna, games room and other lavish furnishings. It is available for rent if you are interested in a luxury stay in the heart of the Dales.


The old school and chapel dated 1856 built by John Ruskin for another member of the Woodd family, Charles Woodd who dedicated it to the memory of his wife Lydia Wilson Woodd who died aged 32.

Another old postbox. This one is from the reign of George V (1910-1936), grandfather of the present Queen.

Another memorial to Queen Victoria in celebration of her Diamond Jubilee in 1897.

Not far out of the village there is another postbox. This one is the oldest as it dates back to Victoria's reign so was put up sometime between 1837 and 1901. Very unusual to see three postboxes from different eras in such close proximity to one another.

A short distance out of the village was this building. On closer inspection we noticed a sign offering hot drinks so we decided to take a break. This is Nethegill Eco farm and study centre

We went inside to find to find it empty but a note on the board welcomed us to use the kitchen to make a cup of tea and enjoy a flapjack with payment made in the honesty box. It was a very welcome sight especially as there was a toilet and even wi-fi reception.

It was also used as an art studio as well as a study centre. A brilliant place to stumble across.

We now had an uphill walk on the road before veering off into boggy moorland.

It was heavy going at times climbing to the highest point of the Dales Way.

We could see Ingleborough hill in the distance.

Almost at the top, Tina.

We finally reached Cam Houses and the very large ladder stile.

An interesting sign on the barn door.

Decided to have our lunch on the least exposed side of a wall  knowing that once we walked onto the fell it would be much colder.

It wasn't too far from our lunch stop before we reached the top of the fell. Here the Dales Way meets up with another long distance path - the Pennine Way.


















Just about made it back from precariously placing my camera on top of a cairn and setting the timer!

After a few photos we descended through more boggy moorland until we got down onto a stony track

This track would lead us onto the main road and our accommodation for the night.

An old milestone. From here we just had one and a half miles to go which was made bearable as we were able to see one of the main features of the Dales Way, the Ribblehead Viaduct

It is 400m long and has 24 arches which are 32m high. The viaduct was built to carry the Settle to Carlisle railway in 1874. It took over a thousand men to build it and around one hundred were killed during its construction. It is still in use today.

Finally we reached the Station Inn, our resting place for the night.

Fortunately there were also some twin bedded rooms at the pub so we didn't have to bunk down here.

The small bike on the outside of the pub was put up when the Tour de France cycle race came to Yorkshire in 2014.

Finally time for a sit down and drink to celebrate another good day's walk of 13.5 miles.