|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||||
|
|
WALK 2 - Fremington Edge, Hurst and Arkle Beck The
area explored during this walk has a good contrast
of terrain and scenery; heather-clad moors, lead
mines and a beautiful beckside return through the
meadows and woodland of
Arkengarthdale. A
Swaledale sheep, the symbol of the The
watersplash near Fore Gill Gate Many
thousands of people from all over the world have
driven through the watersplash re-enacting the role
of the vetinary 'Siegfried Farnon.' The watersplash
is located on the road between Langthwaite to Low
Row. Reeth
is the capital of Upper Swaledale, occupying the
loveliest of positions below Calver Hill, with
views of the surrounding hills and wild moorland.
It is a very attractive village with a large
sloping green, enclosed on each side by housing,
hotels and shops. Reeth used to be a busy market
town with a charter granted in 1695 permitting four
fairs each year and a market every Friday. The
fairs and the market have long since gone, but the
Annual Agricultural Show is still held on the last
Wednesday in August. After
leaving Reeth a meadow path is followed to
Fremington, a peaceful little village with its
small scattering of stone cottages dotted about on
the hillside. Most of the drystone walls which
extend straight to the top of the fell are the
result of the Parliamentary Enclosure Act of 1778.
Enclosure of land for the purpose of scientific
management was recommended by Sir Thomas Elliot of
Fremington, one of the greatest improvers of the
moors in Yorkshire. He advised "never to attempt
any improvement without enclosing". This action
transformed the countryside and contributed to the
unique character of the Dales. From
Fremington we follow a narrow tarmac lane which
climbs up behind the aptly named White House
passing some former chert quarries to Fremington
Edge. Chert is a hard, flint-like stone, which was
quarried in both black and white forms. It was
ground to a fine powder and used in the making of
fine china and pottery. As height is gained we are
favoured with splendid views of Reeth,
Arkengarthdale and Swaledale. Our route continues
across the heather covered Marrick Moor to the
ancient hamlet of Hurst, with its two imposing
chimneys. The
isolation of Hurst provides an introduction to the
bleak and rugged landscape, created by the lead
mining industry in the eighteenth and nineteenth
centuries. During the time of the Roman occupation,
the Hurst mines are thought to have been used as a
penal settlement, where slaves and convicts were
sent to work. Lead from Hurst is said to have been
used to roof buildings in Jerusalem and St Peter's
in Rome. The
village was once known as Red Hurst owing to the
discoloured waters of a nearby spring and Redshanks
was the nickname of the Hurst men. According to
legend, a traveller was passing by the spring when
the guardian spirit snatched him up, dyeing the
spring with his blood. The villagers went to pray
for his soul and saw a vision of the Virgin,
thereafter the Well of Roan "flourished with
blessings and streamed with health". Our
route from Hurst passes through a large area of
mining spoil to reach the cairns at Fell End. Here
spectacular views extend across Arkengarthdale to
the tiny hamlet of Booze and the more prominent
landmark of North Rake Hush over the side valley of
Slei Gill. From the cairns we descend to the
delightfully positioned cottage of Storthwaite
Hall, which sounds very grand but the translation
means 'the bullock clearing'. The
return along Arkle Beck has to be the highlight of
the walk, with beautiful woodland, lush meadows and
superb views to enjoy all the way. Arkle
Beck rises on the wild moorland near the Tan Hill
Inn. It is a fast flowing tributary to the river
Swale which it joins near Grinton Bridge. Do not be
misled by the gentle look of Arkle Beck. In 1986
when 'Hurricane Charley' passed, it became a
powerful and destructive force rising 12 feet
(3.5m) above normal. Further upstream, the top of
Whaw's bridge was washed away and cottages at
Langthwaite were flooded to a depth of 2 feet
(0.6m) on the ground floors. |
