Bolton Castle
“In September, Roger and Olive took the Burnley and Pendle MGOC to Bolton Castle at Castle Bolton, a longer than usual run and more unusually — because of different members’ commitments — in the mid week. We welcomed our new member Matthew and our visitors Kate and Mark.
From the Old Stone Trough Hotel, we left Earby for Skipton and then took the scenic route through Cracoe and the Yorkshire Dales. Our coffee stop was at The Trout Farm, Kilnsey and then on past Great Whernside and Buckden Pike which rise to over 2300 feet. Part of that route was the same as the 2014 Tour de France through the wonderfully named villages of Kettlewell, Starbotton and Buckden, to pass over the Cote de Cray — or the Kidstones Pass, as it was called once upon a time — towards Aysgarth Falls. This led to the lanes to Castle Bolton and, of course, Bolton Castle and our picnic, which was a jolly affair with the excellent combination of good company and weather, no wasps and beautiful countryside. Bolton Castle, built with rather dubious funding it is said, has a fascinating history including an enforced stay by Mary, Queen of Scots. While there, some of us watched an excellent falconry display and Barbara tells me that the Box Hedge maze was, too. I think everyone came back, though … Then it was time to go, this time via Hawes, then the route over to Ribblehead and to Settle. A grand day out!”
