Walking to Mill Gill Force and beyond in Askrigg in beautiful Wensleydale

It was one of those days when you didn’t really want to venture out of the house and to top it all it started raining just as I was leaving. By the time I’d reached Askrigg the rain had stopped leaving behind low cloud with no chance of any views whatsoever. So, parking in the little car park on the east side of the village, I walked to our meeting place just opposite The Crown. As always, it’s good to see friends and to walk with them, whatever the weather, and really it wasn’t long before we were all glad to have made the effort and to be out walking in beautiful Wensleydale.

It was only going to be a short walk, about three miles, but we were well togged up with stout boots and walking sticks as we were walking up to Mill Gill Force and beyond. Be warned, if the ground is wet the walk is so much more enjoyable with the help of sticks as it can get quite muddy and slippy. We’d promised ourselves to have lunch which Judy said we could enjoy sat on a bench way above the village about halfway round on our walk.

To the lefthand side of The Crown you will see a little footpath with stone steps rising quite steeply, take these. I have to say though, never have I walked up here! All the times I’ve set off from Askrigg and never even knew this footpath was here so great excitement! On the map you will see lots of footpaths but we took the most direct route through the fields to the foot bridge at OS Grid Ref: SD 94324 91272. From here make your way carefully along the edge of the wood following the way of the stream and turn down off the main path to Mill Gill Force. Well! What a complete and utter surprise. Here in the midst of the wood is a waterfall, by no means a small one either. A morning of firsts, again! After gazing and enjoying the sight we left the waterfall and retraced our steps back to the main path. Continue on ever upwards and make your way to pass Leas House and eventually to Low Straights Lane, stopping for a break at the two benches if you so wish. Judy, who has walked this way many times, was saying that in spring there is a carpet of blue bells in the wood so a walk not to be missed at blue bell time!

At Low Straights Lane turn right, make your way down, over a little flagged bridge and just before a larger water splash take the path off to the right through a metal gate. Follow the path down through the fields to join with the footpath you started off on and to the stone steps and The Crown.

A really lovely walk, Judy assured us that there are wonderful views across to Addlebrough and into Wensleydale but our walk was atmospheric with the sounds of the stream to inspire whilst in the wood. Just wonderful. We arrived back truly refreshed and pleased with ourselves.

We have pretty School House in Askrigg which sleeps four plus a dog, a very popular cottage, and of course all our other cottages are well within driving distance to Askrigg. Do have a look for availability on our website or call me Nadine or my daughter Joanne on 01969 663559 for friendly help and advice and to book over the telephone. You can book online if you wish too. Hear from you quite soon!