Delightful walk to Sweet William above Carperby in Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales

On a crisp winter’s day we set off to walk to Greenhaw Hut, a shooting box, just above Carperby in Wensleydale. Greenhaw Hut, as marked on the map, is known to many in the dale as Sweet William and has been a fascination of mine for many a year. As you travel up Wensleydale in the direction of Hawes and just after Swinithwaite look to the north above Carperby and you will see a little building perched on the top of the hill, some say they have never seen it but it is there! When I was a little girl I do remember walking there but that was many years ago now and felt a return visit was long overdue.

This can be a linear walk or with Sweet William being on Open Access land you can carefully make a little detour. A short walk of about five miles, depending of course on which route you choose to return, but again please wear appropriate clothing and footwear, plan your route before you set off and take plenty of snacks and drinks.

We parked in Carperby, there is parking in front of the village hall, please donate in the Honesty Box, or where you can safely park if no spaces left there. To the right of the village hall there is little road going off in a northerly direction. Take this and progress up the hill on a well made up track onto Peatmoor Lane. As you start to get higher a large scar comes into view and Great Wegber hill, quite magnificent and stunning in the winter sun. Way off to the west there was Addlebrough in silhouette. An owl decided to make an appearance all adding to our wonder. Keep to the track which takes you round the west side of Great Wegber, ignore another track off to the left, and soon Sweet William comes into view across the expanse of moorland. Must be just stunning when the heather is in full bloom. With our goal in sight there was great excitement and it wasn’t long before we’d arrived. The views from here are just tremendous, quite, quite breath taking, in fact I feel we all shed a tear witnessing this wonderful panorama. Most shooting boxes are open now and you are welcome to go in and rest a while. We found a large trestle table and benches and soon made ourselves at home with lunch soon being consumed. There is also a visitor’s book for you to make an entry in if you so wish.  Round to the side of the building there is a loo too!

Instead of walking down the way we came we carefully walked round to the east of Great Wegber. There is a vague semblance of a path where the quad bike travels and joy of joys, Locker Tarn comes into view on the left. We skirted off to the west below Great Wegber here following a wire fence and eventually coming out onto the Peatmoor Lane again and our return to Carperby.

Still in need of refreshments? The Wheatsheaf Inn, famous for where James Herriot, of All Creatures Great and Small fame, and his new bride spent their honeymoon, is always warm and welcoming, do call in.

We have beautiful cottages well within travelling distance of Carperby. Do call me Nadine or my daughter Joanne on 01969 663559 for friendly help and advice and to book. Do book online if  you wish though. See you quite soon!