Eldroth and the Forest of Bowland

6 April 2003

Leaders - Maureen and Richard Nicholas

The group started walking along Eldroth Road towards Settle. There are three Grade 2 listed buildings in the local area - Eldroth Hall, Park House and Bridge House. The key features of each of these houses were pointed out. Turning off at the entrance to 'Willow Tree', the group carried on across fields to Black Bank, passing the packhorse bridge, the walled water source for Lawkland Hall, and the old quarry, from which the stone for Settle Town Hall was won. The route continued southwards to Accerhill Hall, another Grade 2 listed building and, venturing into Giggleswick Parish, onwards to Lanrigg. Turning right at Lanrigg, the walk continued, passing Routster and Routster Green (Grade 2 listed), up to a high point on the green lane leading from Eldroth to Sandford, from where there were good views onto the 'Limestone Side', with Ingleborough, Moughton, Pen y Ghent and the hills behind Settle being clearly visible. Then we went back to Eldroth, passing Butterfield Gap farmhouse (Grade 2 listed) and, although the leader missed it, the only trig point in Eldroth. Finally, half a mile before the end of the walk, we had the opportunity to visit Eldroth's small church.

Footpath Issues: on the route we took there were none. However had we not done a recce beforehand, there would have been problems as follows: Grid Ref 773632 - there is no way over the wall onto the footpath leading southwards at this point. From Grid ref 773632 to 766629 - this lane does not seem to exist any longer.