and . Approaching the ancient settle- Our route from Hurst passes through a 1 ment of Hurst, its two imposing chimneys come large area of mining spoil heaps, pausing to into view. Despite army attempts to knock them visit the cairns at Fell End. Here spectacular down with artillery during the last war, they views extend across to the remain well preserved. tiny hamlet of Booze and the more prominent Hurst is a secluded hamlet surrounded by landmark of North Rake Hush over the side a bleak and rugged landscape, a legacy left valley of Slei Gill. From Fell End we descend behind by the lead mining industry of the to the delight fully positioned cottage of Storth- eight eenth and nineteenth centuries. During waite Hall, which may sound very grand, but the Roman occupation, the Hurst mines were the actual translation means ‘the bullock fi eld’. used as a penal settlement. After the defeat of The track along is the highlight the Brigantes by the Ninth Legion under Petilius of our walk, with beautiful woodland, lush Cerialis in AD 74, many of the prisoners were meadows and superb views to enjoy during sent here to work in the mines as slave labour. our return to . In 1855, a pig of lead was found by miners. Arkle Beck rises on the wild moor land near Its cast-on inscription bore the name of the the Tan Hill Inn. It is a fast fl owing tributary Emperor Hadrian, indicating that it was smelted to the , which it joins near during his reign, AD 117-138. Alas, the location Bridge. Do not be misled by the gentle look of of the pig is unknown, so the authenticity of Arkle Beck. In 1986 when ‘Hurricane Charley’ the fi nd cannot be verifi ed. Lead from Hurst is passed, it became a powerful and destructive also said to have been used to roof buildings in force rising 12 feet (3.5m) above normal. Jerusalem and St Peter’s in Rome. Further upstream, the top of Whaw’s bridge , The village was once known as Red Hurst was washed away and cottages at Langthwaite owing to the discoloured waters of a nearby were fl ooded to a depth of 2 feet (0.6m) on the spring and Redshanks was the nickname given ground fl oors. HURST and ARKLE BECK to the Hurst men. According to legend, a As we continue downstream the bird life is from Reeth 7½ miles (12km) traveller was passing by the spring when the abundant. The dipper will no doubt be one of guardian spirit snatched him up, dyeing the the fi rst to appear, grey wagtail, pied wagtail, spring with his blood. The villagers went to oyster catcher and heron are also often seen. he area explored during this walk small scattering of stone cottages dotted about pray for his soul and saw a vision of the Virgin, Heron are usually spotted standing patiently in has a good contrast of scenery; on the hillside. Most of the dry-stone walls thereafter the Well of Roan ‘fl ourished with the shallows, poised to move forward and strike Theather-clad moors, lead mines, which extend straight to the tops of the fells blessings and streamed with health’. at prey with their pick-axe bills. beautiful meadows and woodland. The are the result of the Parliamentary Enclosure charm of Arkle Beck provides us with an Act of 1778. Enclosure of land for the purpose Start/Parking: Reeth, around the village green and also an overfl ow car park impressive return. of scientifi c management was recommended 100 yards (90m) along the road. Reeth is the capital of Upper Swaledale, by Sir Thomas Elliot of Fremington, acclaimed occupying the loveliest of positions below as one of the greatest improvers of the moors Location: Reeth is 11 miles (17.5km) from Richmond on the B6270 , with views of the surrounding hills in . He advised ‘never to attempt any Richmond to road. and wild heather moorland. It is an attractive improvement without enclosing.’ This action Grid Ref: SE 038 993. Postcode: DL11 6SY. village with a large sloping green, enclosed on transformed the countryside and contributed Distance: 7½ miles (12km) circular. Allow 4 hrs walking time. each side by housing, hotels and shops. Reeth to the unique character of the Dales. used to be a busy market town with a charter From Fremington we follow a narrow tarmac Total Ascent: 1386 feet (422m) Maximum Elevation: 1511 feet (461m). granted in 1695 permitting six fairs each year lane which climbs up behind the aptly named OS Maps: Explorer OL30 (1:25,000) or Landranger 98 and 92 (1:50,000). and a weekly market held on Friday. The fairs White House, passing some former chert have long since gone, but a small market still quarries to Fremington Edge. Chert is a hard, Refreshments: Reeth: The Black Bull, The Buck Hotel, The King’s Arms, The Copper Kettle Restaurant and other tea rooms. takes place each Friday. The Reeth and District fl int-like stone, which was quarried in both black Annual Agricultural Show is held every year for and white forms. It was ground to a fi ne powder Public Toilets: Reeth: Situated at the junction near the Buck Hotel. one day at the end of August. and used in the making of fi ne china and Other: Telephone, bus service, Swaledale Folk Museum, Post Offi ce, shops After leaving Reeth we follow a meadow path pottery. As height is gained we are favoured National Park Centre. to Fremington, a peaceful little village with its with splendid views of Reeth, Arkengarthdale

30 31 DETOUR TO THE FELL END CAIRNS - shown on the map as a dashed red line. Fremington Edge, Hurst and Arkle Beck GR: 026 024 Follow a narrow track to the left which leads to the Fell End cairns. From here A GR: 038 993 Follow the B6270 Richmond road out of Reeth. After crossing Reeth Bridge locate there are excellent panoramic views along the valley. Originally both of the cairns were similar 1 in stature to the larger one. Afterwards retrace steps and follow directions from point 8. a gap stile to the right of the garage entrance (Dorant 4x4). GR: 042 992 Go through the stile, bear right and pass through another stile (SP Footpath). Head 2 left across the fi eld and go through a gap stile. Turn right (SP Footpath) and follow the wall, climbing 9 up through two more gap stiles, emerging onto the road at High Fremington. 8 6 3 GR: 046 991 At the fi rst cottage on the left (Brambles), turn left onto an enclosed track and follow it uphill to join a tarmac lane. Turn left and follow the lane climbing steeply uphill. Go through Fell End l l i Lead Mine 4 7 a gate and continue to a fork where the tarmac lane changes to a stony track near a spring. G

i

e l S HURSTHURST MARSKE 4 GR: 045 001 Take the right fork (SP Hurst 1½), passing behind the White House where the gradient becomes steeper. Ignore the public footpath signpost and continue to climb uphill via a FELL gate, passing some old chert quarries. Ignore all forks and climb up to a gate in the wall at the top. END Chimney 3 Chimney Grouse Butts GR: 044 007 Go through the gate and continue on a stone track which leads directly away from 5 • • • • • • • • 5 Heggs SHAFTS AND TIPS the wall and across Marrick Moor, to the hamlet of Hurst. After going through a gate Hurst’s two House (disused) chimneys are very prominent. Pond Arkle Beck FB GR: 046 023 (SP Public Bridleway) 6 Pass through a gate onto the road. Turn left and continue 10 through two gates to join a clear stone track which leads across the mining spoil. After passing MARRICK through a line of grouse butts, the track becomes a little greener. Follow the track to a waymark, where FREMINGTON EDGEMOOR TOP 11 the wall of Fremington Edge Top comes into view. GR: 034 021 At the waymark, leave the track and follow a path through the heather, heading STORTHWAITE 2 7 HALL towards the wall. Go through a gate where the two wall corners meet. Continue on a faint path towards some mining spoil heaps. Follow a cairned path through the spoil heaps to a larger cairn.

Castle GR: 026 024 From this cairn the path descends through the mining spoil on a cairned/ Farm 8 12 waymarked track and then winds down a stony section to arrive at a gate. Castle Derelict Farm Farm GR: 019 024 Go through the gate (SP Langthwaite), bear right to the wall and follow a clear path House 5 9 6 Fremington down passed Storthwaite Hall. Go through a gate and join an enclosed farm lane. Edge Chert LANGTHAITELANG GR: 018 022 Turn left and follow the lane through two gates. Continue across two meadows, & TAN HILL Quarries 10 Radio dropping down to join Arkle Beck near a footbridge (don’t cross the bridge). Go through the gate to Mast the left of the bridge and enter a wooded area. Take the path to the right (SP Public Footpath) and follow 13 White (disused) House a clear path above the beck to reach a signpost. GR: 026 016 Bear left (SP Public Footpath), and follow a narrow path, climbing uphill and away 4 11 14 from the beck to pass through a hedgerow. Continue on a waymarked path through derelict walls. 1 At a signpost for Fremington, head towards the right wall, continue over two more derelict walls and cross a farm track 15 7 12 GR: 030 010 Go through a gap stile (SP Footpath), halfway along the wall bear right to Castle Toilets House Farm. Turn left and pass in front of the farmhouse. Cross an enclosed lane and go over a broken wall opposite. Pass through a gap stile and descend over two broken walls to a derelict farm. REETHREETH 3 Cairn/Hilltop Route GR: 033 006 Continue passed the farm and turn left at the next wall corner, rejoining Arkle 13 Building River/Stream P Intake Beck. Go through an open gateway (SP Bridleway) and follow the left track climbing away from the Ruin Wood GUNNERCrag/ScarSIDE 1 beck. Follow the stony track above the wood through three more open gateways. Woodland A or B Road Reeth A FREMINGTONFREMINGTON

r GR: 041 001 When the stony path fades out, go through a gap stile on the right (SP Public 6 Miles Walked Minor Road Bridge k 14 l e Footpath). Descend to the right of a barn and pass through two stiles, turn left (SP Public Footpath) Viewpoint Unfenced Road B MARSKE P Car Park (Pay) e Grinton and continue along the left wall.

Farm Road or c Bridge HURST k P Other Parking Cart Track GR: 040 997 Go through a gap stile hidden in the left corner (SP Public Footpath). Keep to the 15 © Crown Copyright - 1991 - OS 100016545 right hand wall across two large fi elds, to reach the gap stile at Reeth Bridge. Turn right, re-cross © S. I. Robinson - 2016 2 GRINTONGRINTON Reeth Bridge and follow the outward route back to the village centre. RICHMOND 32 33