Langstrothdale: The Long Marsh.

The name Langstrothdale derives from Old English and translates as 'long marsh' or 'marshy ground' but there is very little evidence of that these days, except maybe at the head of the dale. It was first colonised by Anglians in the seventh century, with Norse invaders arriving later. At that time, Langstrothdale was well forested, and the upper northern part of the dale (which is now moorland) was a royal hunting forest known as Langstrothdale Chase. The dale then became part of the lands owned by the Clifford family and in 1604, due to the then Earl of Clifford's 'extravagances', the lands were sold to pay off his debts which allowed many Dalesfolk to purchase their own farmsteads. Also, in the age before mass transportation, the road through the dale was part of a packhorse route from Lancaster to Newcastle-upon-Tyne which also bisected Cam High Road, the very direct and well-preserved Roman Road running from Ingleton to the Roman Fort at Bainbridge in Wensleydale. No trace of Cam High Road survives on the other side of Ingleton but it probably ran on to join another Roman road near Lower Bentham which, in the late 18th century formed part of the Richmond to Lancaster turnpike. End of todays history lesson.

As you can see from the photographs, I was blessed with the weather and light although by the time I had risen out of the valley via the Outershaw Road, the cloud cover had moved in. The beauty of this side dale is its quietness. Even in the middle of the summer you get very few visitors, maybe the odd motorhome or a group doing the Dales Way.

Langstrothdale is also where the infant River Wharfe begins its long 65 mile journey to the River Ouse which eventually flows in to The North Sea at The Wash estuary. Two streams; Outershaw Beck and Green Field Beck (which start high up on the watershed above Ribblesdale) join together at Beckermonds to form The Wharfe.

At the head of the dale the Dales Way meets with the Pennine Way; the former on its way over to Bowness and the latter on its way up to Hawes and beyond. Also a third long distance footpath; The Ribble Way meets up with them both at Blea Moor. All in all it is great walking country.

I had wanted to take a few photos of the infant Wharfe but there was very little water flowing through. At least that makes a good excuse to visit again later in the year.