JUST GOT AN HOUR OR SO?
THE TOWN CENTRE The Market Place is the centre of things. It is just 100 yards from The Folly. Tuesday is Market day - and has been since 1249. See the ornate Town Hall , which houses the Tourist Information Centre (01729 825192), and The Shambles - a former market building, colonnaded on the ground floor and with dwellings above. Theatrical events, shows, displays and small markets are held in the Square during many of the summer weekends and towards Christmas. Most of Settle's shops are on the streets radiating from the Market Place.
CASTLEBERGH (allow 30 minutes to the top and back) is the massive limestone outcrop that overlooks Settle. On many days a flag flies from the top. The view from the top is spectacular. There are two ways up, the easier being the Tot Lord Trail. From the Market Place, go up Constitution Hill (past the Co-op). The road bears left and the gateway to the woodland trail is on the right. The path winds gently up to the flag. Near the top is a northerly viewpoint of the Ribble Valley. From the flagpole you can continue down a steeper and quite uneven but shorter path.
UPPER SETTLE ( past the front of The Folly and continue up the hill) This is Settle's old town. The narrow cobbled streets and quaint cottages cling to the hillside either side of the road to Malham . The quiet ascent to the edge of the town is well worthwhile. Notice several examples of cranes above the former 'taking in doors' at first floor level. The view, over The Pinfold (signposted) encompasses the broad flat Ribble Valley as the river heads southwards before soon turning west - eventually to drain (uniquely among Yorkshire's rivers) into the Irish sea.
SETTLE RAILWAY STATION ( 4 minutes) The station, embankment and viaducts of the 72 mile Settle - Carlisle Railway Line stride boldly across Settle. There is a regular service from Settle to Carlisle northwards, and Leeds to the south. Settle Station is a splendidly restored example of Midland Railway architecture. Visit the restored Signal Box or walk to see the Railway Memorial in the porch of Settle Church (7 minutes - straight along the main road on the right past the Market Place). Some of those who died whilst constructing the line are buried here. Others are laid to rest at Chapel le Dale. The best exhibition about the line is at Ribblehead Station (17 minutes by train from Settle). Admire the view northwards from the station footbridge, with Pen y Ghent in the distance.
VICTORIA HALL AND THE MILLENIUM GARDEN (4 minutes - down Kirkgate - across the pelican crossing by the Town Hall, or go down the quaint Bishopdale Court alongside the Naked Man Cafe) Need to stock up? Booths is an award winning modern supermarket which specialises in produce from the north west of England. En route, you pass Settle's Victoria Hall , often the venue for craft sales and other community events. Just past the railway bridge, relax awhile in the Millennium Gardens on Kirkgate, at the top of Booths' car park.
GIGGLESWICK ( 15 minutes - take the main road, past The Royal Oak, under the railway, over the river, then first left, signposted Giggleswick) The ancient village of Giggleswick is separated from Settle by the river Ribble and is well known for Giggleswick School (founded 1507) . The prominent landmark is Giggleswick School Chapel whose distinctive dome can be seen especially well from Settle Station. The recently restored interior is breathtaking. The Chapel is open during weekdays (telephone 01729 893000 or call at the school Reception).
WATERSHED MILL (15 minutes - follow the brown signs) is an out of town visitor centre housed in an old mill beside the River Ribble on the B6479 road to Ribblehead. A popular coach destination, Watershed Mill houses a range of shops selling clothing, local crafts, beers and spirits, rocks and fossils and much more. There is a cafeteria and good disabled access. It also houses exhibitions from time to time. (01729 825539)
OTHER FACILITIES AND ATTRACTIONS
Settle has a wide variety of hotels, cafes and restaurants and is an excellent stopping off point for visitors to the Yorkshire Dales. Enquire at the Tourist Information Centre (01729 825192).
STAYING FOR A BIT LONGER?
Visit the Tourist Information Centre (01729 825192) for directions and details of the following and many more attractions within range of Settle. Hudson History on Kirkgate (01729 825773) have produced a number of detailed guidebooks to many of the area's historical delights.
SCALEBER FORCE (2 miles) - a delightful waterfall in a wooded glade on the Settle to Malham road.
THE EBBING AND FLOWING WELL (1 ½ miles) - a curiosity on the main road to the north of Gigglesick at the foot of Buckhaw Brow. The water level rises and falls, depending on recent rainfall. Take care of passing traffic which can make viewing hazardous.
CAVES AND POTHOLES - the area around Settle is interlaced with underground watercourses and caves. Ingleborough Cave ** (015242 51242) and White Scar Cave** (015242 241244) are open to the public but many others are strictly for the experts. The villages of Clapham, Horton-in-Ribblesdale and Ingleton are potholing centres.
RIBBLEHEAD VIADUCT (12 miles) - easily the most spectacular feature on the world-famous Settle - Carlisle Railway line. Nearby is Blea Moor Tunnel and Chapel le Dale , the final resting place of many of those who died in the line's construction. There is a Visitors Centre at Ribblehead Station
THE HOFFMANN KILN (2 miles) - a massive and fascinating relic of the lime burning industry.
THE YORKSHIRE DALES FALCONRY and WILDLIFE CONSERVATION CENTRE** (3 miles) - (01729 822832 or 825164 to check display timings) See birds of prey and other animals close to and marvel at the free flying demonstrations. Tearoom, picnic area, shop and pets corner barn. Disabled facilities.
HORSES HEALTH FARM & VISITOR CENTRE** at Rathmell (3 ½ miles) -01729 840284. See horses swim in the therapy pool. Horse solarium, exhibition, gift shop and picnic area. Disabled provision.
YORKSHIRE DALES TREKKING CENTRE** at Malham (9 miles) Rides, treks, training and holidays (01729 830352)
MALHAMDALE (9 miles to Malham village). Limestone country with spectacular scenery, geology and ancient history.
TRAVEL ON THE SETTLE - CARLISLE RAILWAY** - the 72 mile journey crosses spectacular mountain and moorland scenery. There is a regular train service from Settle Station. Carlisle is well worth a visit and the historic town of Appleby is a good intermediate stop. There are splendid walks from several of the other stations, especially Horton in Ribblesdale, Ribblehead, Dent and Garsdale.
SWIMMING Settle Swimming Pool **(01729 823626) is open daily but check for timings of particular sessions.
GOLF Settle Golf Club** (01729 825288) enjoys a spectacular location beneath Giggleswick Scar. Visitors are most welcome.
THE THREE PEAKS - for the fit, try the famous Three Peaks Challenge between the peaks of Pen y Ghent, Ingleborough and Whernside. Challenge walkers should start from the Pen y Ghent Café and Tourist Information Centre at Horton in Ribblesdale (01729 860333). Observe safety recommendations and weather forecasts. Tackle each peak individually if you prefer.
OTHER WALKS Settle abounds with spectacular walks. Visit the Tourist Information Centre in the Town Hall and pick up a leaflet for any or all of the following walks:-
Town Trail - an amble round the historic town (50p)
'Walks in the Settle Area' is an excellent series of ten leaflets with maps and easy to follow guides:-
- Austwick and Wharfe (3 miles)
- Settle, Attermire and Sugar Loaf (4 miles)
- Cleatop Park (4 miles)
- Settle, Langcliffe Locks and Stackhouse (4miles)
- Giggleswick Scar (4 ½ miles)
- Stainforth and Langcliffe (5 miles)
- Settle, Langcliffe, Catrigg Force and the Caves (6 miles)
- Wigglesworth and the Ribble Way (6 miles)
- Clapham and Crummack Dale (9 ½ miles)
- Settle to Malham and back (11 miles)
'Walks Around Settle and Malham' , a Dalesman booklet, and 'Walks in Ribble Country' by Jack Keighley contain further walks. Both are widely stocked in Settle. |