Big county. Big-hearted (not to say big-headed) people. Very clean and tidy for the most part. Good food, and still some decent beer to be found.
I realise, with some horror, that (apart from a flying visit to York University with my son and a recent trip to the North Yorkshire Moors) it is now over 42 years since I was up that way, so some of these photos may be a little dated.
Bridestones Moor
Strange weather blasted sandstone rock formations set in a nature reserve. There is a 2½km (1½ml) long nature trail, and superb views from nearby Blakey Topping.
The name is probably derived from St Bride also known as St Bridget. She was an Iron Age deity also known as Bridia, Brighid, Briga, or most often as Brigantia, the goddess of the Brigantes tribe of northern England.
The Bridestones, Near Todmorden, West Yorkshire
A long blog post on the Journal of Antiquities site. https://thejournalofantiquities.com/2016/08/31/the-bridestones-near-todmorden-west-yorkshire/
Modeled vaguely on Stonehenge or, at least Stonehenge as it would have looked if it had been designed by a Yorkshireman, this folly was created by one William Danby (1752 - 1833) to relieve some of the local unemployment.
According to a 1910 guidebook, "the builder of the temple offered to provide any individual with food and a subsequent annuity, providing he would reside in the temple seven years, living the primitive life, speaking to no one and allowing his beard and hair to grow.
It is said that one man underwent this self-imposed infliction for four-and-a-half years, at the end of which he was compelled to admit defeat. Several others made the attempt, but had to relinquish it."
The approach to England's highest unbroken waterfall is unusual, to say the least, as it is via a flag-stone passage through the Green Dragon Inn, and up a narrow gorge.
Turner and Wordsworth both visited in their day.
External Links and References
External Links
Hardraw Force
Plenty about the waterfall, and links to the inn's main site http://www.hardrawforce.com/
Spectacular narrow limestone gorge cut into Nidderdale's lush green countryside. Walkways have been built into the sides of the steep-sided ravine - over 25 metres (80 feet) deep in places.
Pretty little Norman church in the neck of Langstrothdale.
It is noted for its magnificent 16th century rood-loft, and for being the resting place of the ashes of the writer and playwright J B Priestley.
It also has a rare polygonal font, and the pews are by 'Mouseman' Thompson of Kilburn; look out for the mouse he always included in the carved decorations.
Comments
Anonymous
I have an old autograph Album, dated 1898 there is a pencled picture of 2 figures walking across a bridge towards an old house, the atist has printed
"At Ilkley Wharfedale" the artist is Thomas Smith Jan 1898, is this anywhere near your pictures please?
Strolling Guide
Sorry, don't think I can help you there. The only Ilkley I've heard of is the one in the song, which is south of Bradford.
Ric Halsall
Please note the spelling mistake below your photographs of Hubberholme Church.
Strolling Guide
Thanks Ric. Duly corrected
Richard Goodall
To Anon 17/06/2007. The Ilkley on your picture will be Ilkley near Bradford. This is the subject of the famous song "On Ilkley Moor Ba'ht hat" This town has great roman connections etc. The use of 'Wharfdale' is the key as the river Wharf is wide and was forded there. Hobberholme is normally said to be in Langstrothdale and although it is arguably the place where the Wharf rises it not usually called Wharfdale so high up. Watch the movie "Calender Girls" for more views of this area especially the two boys sitting on the 'Cow and Calf rocks at Ilkley.
Strolling Guide
Interestingly searching Google for 'Hubberholme Langstrothdale' produces 691 documents whereas 'Hubberholme Wharfedale' produced 11,000 documents. It may be wrong, but I think I'll stick with the latter.
Although privately owned, Jervaux Abbey is open to the public. Built by the Cistercians from the mid-12th Century onwards. Although the church and most of the other buildings were destroyed in the dissolution, substantial sections of the monks' dorter and the infirmary are still standing.
Jervaulx Abbey
The Official Site https://www.jervaulxabbey.com/
Houses of Cistercian monks: Jervaulx
Dry as dust extract from the Victoria County History for Yorkshire https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/yorks/vol3/pp138-142
Remains of a Norman castle dramatically situated on a high rocky promontory. The castle's keep has fine views down to the River Swale and over the rooftops of Richmond.
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