Читать книгу Walking in the Yorkshire Dales: South and West. Wharfedale, Littondale, Malhamdale, Dentdale and Ribblesdale онлайн

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Dedicated to St Mary and St Cuthbert, the church is noted for its fine medieval roof and stained glass, the latter added by Augustus Pugin as part of extensive renovations during the 19th century. Surrounded by the evocative ruins of the former priory, the east wall of which still rises majestically to its full height, it drew many of the Victorian romantics and both Turner and Landseer captured its haunting setting in paintings and sketches.

The ruins of Bolton Priory

Crossing the River Wharfe by the Friar’s Steps

Just before reaching the church, a path leaves to skirt the ruins on its way to meet the River Wharfe at the Friar’s Steps, once the only means of crossing the river. As you climb up the far bank towards Cat Crags, there are some splendid atmospheric views back through the trees. At a junction, keep left along a high path above the steep bank, ultimately coming out onto a lane at the foot of Pickles Gill. Cross the ford (or use the bridge just upstream if you don’t want to risk wet feet), but then abandon the lane just beyond for a path signed to Posforth Bridge. Returning to the riverbank, follow it up to a wooden bridge opposite the Pavilion Café. Cross there to continue upstream through Strid Wood, the fragmenting paths reuniting to lead to The Strid itself, a mile (1.6km) up the valley.