Day 1
A relaxing ride through North Yorkshire from Skipton, the birthplace of Lady Anne, to Kettlewell, in Wharfedale.
Anne Clifford places to see: Skipton Castle and Holy Trinity Church, Barden Tower.
22 miles approx.
You can learn more about all the specific points of interest on the way here.
The trail starts from Holy Trinity Church, at the top end of the High Street, in Skipton. The famous Leeds - Settle - Carlisle railway line runs through the town. Next to the Church, with its Clifford memorials, stands Skipton Castle, where Anne Clifford was born, and both are significant places to visit. You head NE on the A6131 (The Bailey) and after about 0.25 miles, bear left on Skipton Road towards Embsay, passing under the Skipton bypass (sp. Embsay). In Embsay, bear right, on to Shires Lane (sp. Bolton Abbey/Halton East), turning right at the T junction on to Low Lane, which becomes Holme Lane then Green Lane, and follow onfor about 3 miles until you come to Bolton Abbey, with its church, Bolton Priory. Bear left on the B6160 and just after 3 miles, pass Barden Tower (another Anne Clifford site), turn right onto a minor road and over Barden Bridge (sp. Appletreewick/Pateley Bridge).
Stay on Stangs Lane and after about 2 miles turn left at the T junction and ride through Appletreewick. After 2 miles turn right (sp. Hebden) and then left onto Skuff Road. Just over a mile later enter Hebden, pass through the village and then turn left onto the B6265 (sp. Grassington). This short stretch can be busy and is narrow in places.
Just over a mile later ride through Grassington, passing the National Park Visitors' Centre, with the centre of the village on your right. Grassington is well worth a quick visit, especially if you are a fan of Channel 5's All Creatures Great and Small. Leave the village by Wood Lane and just under 3 miles later pass straight through the hamlet of Conistone (sp. Kettlewell) and continue on this minor road northwards.
Passing Scargill Christian Conference Centre on your right, and after about 3.5 miles, enter Kettlewell. Food and Accommodation.