Wigtwizzle - Norman Smith's Travel Blog.: nidderdale

Showing posts with label nidderdale. Show all posts

Brimham Rocks

Brimham Rocks is a 183.9-hectare (454-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and Geological Conservation Review site, 8 miles (13 km) south of Ripon on Brimham Moor in the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in North Yorkshire and is looked after by The National Trust.

The site was SSSI listed for the value of its geology and because the heath and bog habitats had been much reduced by farming and forestry abd also to preserve rocky outcrops, birch woodland, acidic bogs, wet and dry heath, and plant communities which thrive when sheltered between the rocks and exposed on the moor.

Many of the rock names have been used for over a hundred years. Some fanciful names may have been invented to amuse visitors but some appear to have been inspired by antiquarians who adhered to Druidical theories about their origins. Just a few names, such as the Noonstone whose shadow indicated midday and old local names, Great Cannon and Little Cannon (now the Smartie Tube), may come from an earlier tradition.

The Rocking Stones, Lovers' Leap, Baboon's Head, Pulpit Rock, Parson's Head, Yoke of Oxen, Frog and Tortoise, Serpent's Head, Dancing Bear, Druid's Writing Desk, Druid's Aerial Altar, Druid's Coffin, Sphinx, Oyster Shell, Mushroom, Idol Rock, Anvil and Porpoise Head have all been named over the years.

Obviousle Brimham Rocks isn't the place to visit on a weekend or school holiday and the parking isn't cheap but if you pick your time it can be reasonably quiet and the parking fee is well spent. An added bonus for me was the coffee kiosk being open which I took full advantage of. A good couple of hours was spent photographing the rocks and I noticed that from one particular spot you get a distant view of Ripon Cathedral.

My journey home took me via Pately Bridge and Blubberhouse to Otley where I joined the rush hour traffic for a slow and laborious final leg.

Brimham Rocks

Grimwith Reservoir

A great stroll for blowing the cobwebs off as this walk is certainly open to the elements. Once you have left the comfort of your car, there is very little shelter from the winds and rain driving across the moors. I was lucky on the day I went as it just about stayed dry and bright the whole time I was walking but the wind was bitterly cold. Also, once you get past the first mile, you are more or less committed to doing the whole walk.

In bad conditions it's a case of just pulling your hood up, sticking your head down and just soldiering on. After all, its only a bit of wind and rain so won't harm you. Some of the most entertaining walks that I've done over the years have been done in such conditions.

There are a couple of inlets and bays which make the walk longer than it actually looks but it is basically on flat ground and is only four and a half miles in total. Often there are windsurfers on the reservoir and in windy conditions, this can be quite entertaining to watch but I didn't see any signs of life when I was there. I can't say as I blame them though.

If ever you need a place to come and clear your head, this is it!

Grimwith Reservoir

High Shores Laithe

Grimwith Reservoir

Path around Grimwith

Gate Up Gill

Gate Up Bottom

Grimwith Reservoir

Grimwith Moor

Grimwith Reservoir

Fountains Abbey

After a dispute and riot in 1132 at the Benedictine house of St Mary's Abbey, in York, 13 monks were expelled (among them Saint Robert of Newminster) and, after unsuccessful attempts to form a new monastery were taken under the protection of Thurstan, Archbishop of York. He provided them with land in the valley of the River Skell, a tributary of the Ure. The enclosed valley had all the natural features needed for the creation of a monastery, providing shelter from the weather, stone and timber for building, and a supply of running water and so the life of Fountains Abbey began. I now have this ridiculous vision in my head of rioting monks, I wonder what form it took.

They did a grand job because fountain's Abbey has got to be one of the most spectacular religious ruins in the United Kingdom. It will have been really spectacular in the days prior King Henry the Eighth's Dissolution of the Monastry's in 1539. The Knave Transept and tower are still in pretty good repair even though the roofs have obviously disappeared, and the Great Cloister has got to be the finest example there is and is still intact.

I visited the Abbey with Laura and Charlie, a couple of friends over from Florida who had based their first few days in the UK at Knaresborough. I gave them a choice between three place and they jumped at the chance to visit the Abbey to experience it's history although Charlie seemed more interested in the local pheasants than the actual ruins!

Our first port of call was Fountain's Hall which has an interesting history itself. In 1597 Stephen Proctor bought the Fountains Abbey estate from the Crown and began the construction of Fountains Hall soon after. Sir Stephen Proctor built today's elegant mansion as his country home in the early 17th-century, reusing sandstone blocks and a stone staircase from the old Abbey. Over the years the hall has seen many uses – a stately home, a courthouse, an estate employees’ lodging and a farmer’s house. It was also used by The Settlers Society – a boys training camp set up in the 1930s, offering young men from deprived areas of the North East a chance to escape the poverty of the Great Depression.

It was then back outside to explore and marvel at the abbey ruins that were enhanced by a carpet of daffodils which were literally "fluttering and dancing in the breeze!" The River Skell was then followed to Studley Royal Water Gardens which were designed by John and William Aislabie in the 18th century and were given World Heritage Site status in 1986.

No day out would be complete without a call in to a cafe for coffee and cake or, if you are really bad, coffee and a clotted cream scone which my American friends did. The coffee shop by the weir at Studley Royal is very light and airy and has stunning views over the gardens with ample seating outside for those hot sunny days of summer. We stuck to admiring them through the glass windows as I think Charlie and Laura were more accustomed to Florida temperatures than the North Yorkshire's temperatures.

We then strolled back through the gardens and up to the Visitor Centre where souvenirs and gifts for friends were purchased before heading back to the car and returning to Knaresborough.

What a smashing afternoon it had been. Laura is so full of life and energy and it just rubs off on you. It was fantastic to have a catch up with her and to meet her hubby for the first time. I understand plans are already being written up for another trip next year when her a girlfriend are coming over to do one of our long-distance trails. Roll on 2020!