NORTH YORKSHIRE: BOOZE CIRCULAR - 3.25 MLS

About trip

Distance: 3 1/4 miles (5.2km) Time: 1 3/4 hours Terrain: Easy Description: This walk explores part of Arkengarthdale from the village of Langthwaite, a little under 4 miles (6.4km) north of Reeth along the Tan Hill road. Limited parking can usually be found on the main road near the start of the walk. The bridge at Langthwaite, where the walk starts, was used in the opening shots of the popular television series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’. Directions: a Take the side turning away from the main road and go over the hump-backed bridge. Cross the square with the Red Lion Inn to one side and fork left on an upward-slanting woodland path. b Climb to open fields above woodland and go past a ruined farmhouse. Turn right through a wicket gate marked by a finger post. Climb slightly right, uphill along the path marked by posts. c At the top of the rocky field, go through a gate and follow a track to the right, across the heather moor. d On reaching the boundary wall, follow it to the left as far as a barn. Climb a stile to its right and follow the sunken field path downhill. e Turn left along the lane into the farm hamlet of Booze. f Turn right through the stockyard at Town Farm. There is no path but go down the middle of two adjacent fields towards the valley bottom. g Bear right along a grassy path above the stream then right again into the main valley. h Do not cross the footbridge on your left but continue upstream along the riverside track into Langthwaite. Places of Interest: 1 Viewpoint. Langthwaite was the centre of lead mining activity in Arkengarthdale until about 1890, when cheap imports killed off the industry and the valley became de-populated. Scars left by ‘hushing’, a system where deliberate flooding of part of the hillside revealed the underlying ore-bearing strata, can still be seen on the fells, together with spoil heaps near crushing plant or mine entrances. The most famous mine is the C.B. on the opposite hillside, named after its 18th century founder Charles Bathurst. Always take care near the ruined buildings and under no circumstances should the mine workings be entered. 2 Viewpoint. Arkengarthdale is below with Swaledale beyond and to your left. 3 Booze. The name of this tiny hamlet has nothing to do with alcoholic refreshment – there is not even a pub to be found. It possibly derives from ‘bouse’, a mining term for undressed lead ore. Narrow and rocky Slei Gill is to the left, a valley which still bears the scars of lead mining. 4 The path goes through a pretty riverside wood, which is carpeted with bluebells each spring.