Lady Anne's Way
LADY ANNE'S WAY
Six day version
STAGE ONE -SKIPTON TO GRASSINGTON
Distance 15.5 miles (25.1 km)
Total distance 15.5 miles
The first day's walk takes you through the villages of Embsay and Eastby, before striding over the top to reach Barden Tower with its historical associations. Here you will meet the majestic River Wharfe and follow its banks, visiting many picturesque villages along the way. As you progress through Wharfedale you will notice the field barns and dry stone walls, both important features in the Dales landscape. The day ends in the ever popular village of Grassington, with its cobbled streets and interesting alleyways. The walking is easy and the scenery delightful.
Facilities: all facilities in Grassington.
STAGE TWO - GRASSINGTON TO BUCKDEN
Distance 12.5 miles (20.2 km)
Total distance 28 miles
Today we take to the fellsides initially and a first real glimpse of limestone country. We pass the remains of Iron Age settlements before climbing steadily along old green roads to reach Capplestone Gate at 1600 feet. Stunning views unfold as you climb higher and higher. From the top it's a gradual drop down to delightful Kettlewell which has shops and pubs, before a final stretch of valley walking to reach the end of the stage at Buckden.
Facilities: Village shop in Buckden - (up for sale Jan. 2024), B & B's, Camping & pod site & the Buck Inn.
STAGE THREE - BUCKDEN TO HAWES
Distance 18 miles (28.9 km)
Total distance 46 miles
The route begins with a climb to reach the top of Stake Moss, then lovely walking on good tracks with extensive views all the way down to the flanks of Addlebrough. These ancient tracks will take you out of Wharfedale into Wensleydale where you will pass Nappa Hall with its associations with Lady Anne. Then commences a valley walk to the delightful town of Askrigg, famed for its connections with the television programme All Creatures Great and Small. You then carry on through fields and pastures to reach the market town of Hawes and the end of the stage.
Facilities: all facilities in Hawes.
STAGE FOUR - HAWES TO KIRKBY STEPHEN
Distance 17.25 miles (27.8 km)
Total distance 63.25 miles
A day of great beauty, encompassing as it does a high route over the fells from Wensleydale into Mallerstang and known as Lady Anne's Highway. The day starts with a walk through delightful meadowland where in summer wild flowers abound. There follows a stiff climb up Cotter End where the delights of the 'Highway' start to unfold. This is wonderful walking with magnificent views all the way to Mallerstang and the Upper Eden Valley. The day ends as it began, following the course of a river into Kirkby Stephen.
Facilities: all facilities in Kirkby Stephen
STAGE FIVE - KIRKBY STEPHEN TO APPLEBY
Distance 16.5 miles (26.6 km)
Total distance 79.75 miles
Today's route is along valleys, beside soft flowing rivers and with extensive views on all sides. You leave Mallerstang and its wild and dramatic scenery for the lush pastures of the Eden Valley where Brough forms the turning point as you start to head west towards the Lake District and journeys end. There is much of historical interest on today's walk. encompassing as it does the ruins of Brough Castle, Ormside 'Cross' and church, and finishing with Appleby and its splendid castle and church. This is easy walking with only minor undulations and many spectacular views.
Facilities: all facilities in Appleby
DAY SIX - APPLEBY TO PENRITH
Distance 19.75 miles (31.9 km)
Total distance 99.5 miles
A low level finish with superb views of the North Pennine hills. Delightful villages are visited which have changed little for generations and are a joy to the eye with their buildings of soft red sandstone. The ancient ruins of Brougham Hall and its accompanying craft centre and cafe are passed before the culmination of the day, when the magnificent ruins of Brougham Castle are reached. All then that is left is a short stretch of riverside walking before you arrive at the outskirts of Penrith and the end of Lady Anne's Way is in sight.
Facilities: all facilities in Penrith
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LADY ANNE'S WAY
Nine day version
STAGE ONE - SKIPTON TO HEBDEN
Distance 13.75 miles (22.1 km)
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The day ends at Hebden, once a lead mining village, whose tiny cottages housed the miners and their families. In the 18th. century the main route through the village, which was turnpiked at that time, would have been busy with people transporting lead. In earlier times the road was part of a monastic route used by the monks of Fountains Abbey to transport fleeces from their granges in Wharfedale back to the abbey.
Facilities: There is a cafe, B&B's and the Clarendon Hotel where meals and accommodation are available.
STAGE TWO - HEBDEN TO BUCKDEN
Distance 14.25 miles (22.9 km)
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In Norman times Buckden was the main hunting headquarters for the Percy family, who owned a great chase in this area which covered most of Langstrothdale. Ten hunting lodges were set up, whilst Buckden itself was used to house the Percy's foresters.
Facilities: Village shop (up for sale Jan. 2024) B&B's, a camping & pod site and The Buck Inn
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STAGE THREE - BUCKDEN TO ASKRIGG
Distance 12.25 miles (19.7 km)
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Askrigg, a medieval settlement, was granted a market and two fairs in 1587, however in 1699 Hawes was granted its own market charter and Askrigg's trading fate was sealed. The town lay on the route of a major drove road which came over the moors from Wensleydale, through Askrigg and then on up the Roman Road from Bainbridge, over Cam Fell and on into Ribblesdale.
Facilities: B&B's, pubs, hotel camping. However (Jan. 2024) one-night accom. is proving a problem so a diversion via Bainbridge may be needed where there is a pub & a B & b
STAGE FOUR - ASKRIGG TO HAWES
Distance 5.75 miles (9.3 km)
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Hawes is one of England's highest market towns, famous for its cheese, (Wallace and Gromit have a lot to answer for!) its working ropemakers and its Dales Countryside Museum. Also famous as the centre for the Quaker movement in the 17th. and 18th. centuries, Hawes can boast a Quaker rest house in the main street.
Facilites: All amenities can be found in Hawes.
STAGE FIVE - HAWES TO NATEBY
Distance 15.5 miles (24.9 km)
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In the tiny hamlet of Outhgill - across the river - lies the Church of St. Mary's, which is one of the many churches restored by Lady Anne. A mile further on you reach the romantic ruins of Pendragon Castle & the day ends at the village of Nateby.
Facilities: The Black Bull provides food & accomm.
STAGE SIX - NATEBY TO CHURCH BROUGH
Distance 8 miles (12.9 km)
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Church Brough and Market Brough now lie either side of the A66 Brough bypass. Church Brough itself is a medieval village nestling between the church and the castle. Brough itself is the old assize and market town. Brough grew up around an important Roman Camp and subsequently a Norman Castle.
Facilities: An ice-cream parlour/cafe in Ch. Brough at the Castle. There are shops, two B&B's one pub/hotel in Market Brough. From Church Brough take the underpass beneath the A66 to reach Market Brough 1/4 mile away.
STAGE SEVEN - CHURCH BROUGH TO APPLEBY
Distance 10.25 miles (16.5 km)
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Appleby is a beautiful town guarded by its Castle Keep. Unfortunately the Great Picture of the Clifford family is no longer here. A trip to Abbott Hall in Kendal is now necessary to view it. In Appleby are the lovely red sandstone almshouses, part way down the main street and well worth a visit. As is the Parish Church of St. Lawrence where Lady Anne is buried.
Facilities: Appleby has all the amenities including a luxury hotel & garden spa.
STAGE EIGHT
APPLEBY TO OUSENSTAND BRIDGE (no accomm. at Ousenstand Bridge itself-see below for det.)
Distance 8.25 miles (13.3 km)
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(Unfortunately there is at present no food or accomm. at Kirby Thore, before you reach Ousenstand Br. - Aug. 2023).
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Temple Sowerby (1.25 miles off route) is a mixture of 16th century rubble and thatch buildings intermingled with 18th and 19th century buildings set around a village green. It can lay claim to being one of the few Westmorland villages which still retains its maypole and derives its name from the religious and military order called the Knights Templar. The road through the village is on the line of the Roman road from York to Brougham and a remnant of this period lies half a mile south east of the village, namely a Roman milestone, standing on its original site.
Facilities:
Temple Sowerby - One hotel - The Kings Arms due to re-open 21st. April 2024
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STAGE NINE
OUSENSTAND BRIDGE TO PENRITH
Distance 11.25 miles (18.5 km)
Penrith was once the capital of Cumbria and marks the gateway to the Lake District and the North Pennines. There is much of architectural interest in the town and many yards linking the main thoroughfares are worth an exploration. Little is left of the sandstone castle but it is worth searching out the four hogback stones and ancient cross in St. Andrews churchyard close by.
Facilities: All amenities are available
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Possible 8 day alternative
OPTION BETWEEN K. STEPHEN & PENRITH
We thought you might be interested in an alternative to the Stages between K. Stephen & Penrith, sent to us by 3 Canadians who have just completed the route.
Kirkby Stephen to Sandford
Distance 10.75 miles (17.2km)
Follow L.A. Way to Sandford GR727158. Leave the route & go right over the bridge to reach the village.
Facilities: The Sandford Arms provides food & accomm.
N.B. Closed all day Tuesday.
Sandford to Bolton
Distance 11.5 miles (18.5km)
Retrace your steps to L. A. Way & follow it through Appleby to Long Marton. Continue with the route out of the village to GR665245 where the road bends right to reach a school. Take the left-hand track here & follow the footpath to Powls House & the A66. Turn right here & then left on footpath to Redlands Bank (the site of a Roman Camp) before reaching Bolton Bridge. Turn right along the minor road to reach Bolton.
Facilities: The New Crown Inn provides food & accomm.
N. B. Closed Monday & Tuesday.
Bolton to Penrith
Distance 14.5 miles (23.2km)
Retrace your steps to Bolton Bridge & follow the River Eden west, all the way to the A66 south of Kirby Thore. Turn left on A66 to rejoin L. A. Way at GR635254 (p.81. in Guide Book). Follow Lady Anne's Way to Penrith.
Facilities: all amenities available in Penrith.
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DON'T FORGET YOUR BADGE! See 'Guide Book' page for details.