Earby Landscapes

The forecast all week had been for sunshine and showers so I planned to do a walk along the canal from Greenberfield Locks – Thornton in Craven towards East Marton, but when I finally got there the small car park was absolutely full with no nearby road parking.

Turned to my book and found this walk Earby Landscapes which meant I didn’t have to drive too far to get started.  Cant remember having ever been to Earby before but it looked a nice place as I drove through looking for somewhere to park.  Eventually found a small car par and bonus it was free. 

Set off back through the village and headed up the hill past the Youth Hostel turning from the track down through some trees and over the footbridge climbing some steps and entering a field.

  I could see the stile at the other end and went across pretty quick smart seeing as the stile had a sign saying beware of the Bull.  I kept my eyes peeled and went across with racing heart.  NO sign of it thank goodness.

Crossing the second field that led to a stile into rough grass area planted up with saplings. Then there was a turn right up to a cairn and stone seat. 

  The views today were stunning. I could even make out the 3 peaks, well one of them anyway for sure.  The path continued up eventually coming to a small road – this was a confusing bit there were two cattle grids and two gates.  I went through one and over one while re-reading the book.  Eventually I worked out I should cross the second one  too to go down to Oak Slack farm. Corner stile just before the farm gate was well hidden and took some spotting. It was very narrow too.  I dropped down the field to reach Wentcliff brook at the bottom I walked along here eventually coming to a a broad track crossing over here and then across another small stream to head up alongside a clough, the path then went behind a beautiful old farmhouse.  It was intriguing as it didn’t look as though it had been abandoned too long ago, I wanted to know who lived there, why had they left, was it just going to eventually crumble away.  It seemed a shame this place was now empty.

From the farm the path led away then up to a track and across to a stile in the top corner of the field and then along another track up to a farmhouse – through a gate and onto a tarmacadamed access road.  Up at the top of the hill I turned right and along the top of a field which soon turned into an enclosed grassy track, it was pretty wet and boggy here today after the recent rain.  The path continued around some ruins of a farm called Higher Verjuice Bank the path / track continued to a gate and continued down to a stile into a field this dropped to a stile at the bottom leading along a lovely enclosed path past a house onto a drive and then back onto the road I’d driven into Earby.

Good walk 5 miles, totally unplanned but really enjoyed it.  Will go back another time for the Lock/canal walk but was definitely not disappointed with Earby Landscapes.