Pateley Bridge, Darley Mill, Summerbridge & Nidderdale Way Walk

Long stay car park right on the river bank. Plenty of spaces and right on the river path where we will finish later in the day.

Pateley Bridge railway station is now long gone, but features and remnants of the railway presence still feature on this walk. The station was the terminating station on the North Eastern Railway Nidd Valley branch line. It opened in 1862 and just had a single platform and it's just next to the long stay car park we used today.

Lovely Pateley Bridge bathing in the sunshine. A place we used to bring our children on camping adventures years gone by. Happy Days alright. Pateley Bridge is actually the starting and finishing point on the Nidderdale Way, a circular route that covers about 53 miles, looping around the stunning scenery of the Nidd Valley. We will join it for a while this morning.

There we are, as we enjoy a bit of 'spot the trout' for a few minutes.

Leaving behind busy little Pateley Bridge and heading out into the quiet Dales countryside.

Entering Strikes Wood. A two minute stop to discuss a future trip to the Western Lakes was a mistake, as a pesky Horse Fly gave me a bite on my hand. That will mean a few days of discomfort no doubt. I'll have to get used to applying 'Avon Skin so Soft' again, I've got out of the habit in recent times.

A gentle climb - with views of Pateley Bridge behind us

This caused ten minutes of discussion between us - What is it ? The sloping ground and ruins didn't seem compatible as being suitable for a church ? but yet the start and finish of arches could indeed be seen. We pondered for a while and came to the conclusion that it may well be a folly ! Having checked it out now, yes.... It is indeed a folly ! These two strange 18th century stone pillars which look like the remnants of some ancient ecclesiastical edifice (there was three initially) and they were known as the Three Stoops, or alternatively as Yorke’s Folly, after John Yorke (whose project/idea this was). So we're not actually as daft as we look after all !

Leaving the interesting Yorke's folly behind, we head along Guise Cliff with reminders that we are in Brimham Rocks territory, with it's fantastically shaped large rocks - often protruding like statues from the ground.

Heading out onto Heyshaw Moor

Not many walkers out this way today - so the locals were enjoying some peace and quiet in the shade

The track widens on the way to the small hamlet of Heyshaw.

We're soon taking a right turn towards Darley, but Dacre Banks and Summerbridge are straight ahead, we will get there later on.

Is it electrified ? Not sure, but we are both older and wiser now - so we didn't try and find out.

Arriving in Darley - we had to walk alongside a busy road for a 1/4 mile to get here, but it was worth it.

2 pints & a nice lunch sitting in the beer garden - Perfect !

Leaving the village behind as we head towards the river.

Half past one and the heat was really building up - thoughts turned to whether we could get another pint in before our destination.

A gentle amble alongside the Rive Nidd as we approach Summerbridge

Still no sign of that elusive Kingfisher - maybe we should be a bit quieter.

Glasshouses can just be seen in the distance on the other side of the valley.

The old twine mill, on the banks of the Nidd, was constructed between 1812 and 1814 - it was a producer of rope in it's day and one of it's clients was the White Star Line. Apparently, Glasshouses rope was used on the Titanic. It's now being converted into luxury homes and apartments, when we were there it looked like it was nearing completion - I would imagine it has been renovated to a high standard and it will be a lovely place to live.

Glasshouses has its own beautiful features, such as Glasshouses Dam, which was created along the River Nidd to supply water for the mill (see last photo) which is a tranquil habitat for an abundance of natural wildlife such as birds and apparently otters. The footpath we took runs alongside the dam and then the river bank further up. The sluicing arrangements further upstream are all still present and looking at the well greased penstocks, appear to be still operational today.

One for the girls.

One last photo of the River Nidd as we approach Pateley Bridge

The car par is on the left hand side of the wall - perfectly situated. Time to head home - After a great day out in Nidderdale.