River Wharfe Circular: Addingham, Barden Tower, The Strid, Cavendish Memorial and Bolton Priory

Please note:

1. Those wishing for a shorter walk can join us at either Bolton Bridge (making the walk approximately 11 miles, 18.5 km), or Wooden Bridge (adjacent to the Cavendish Pavillion and Riverside car park, making the walk around 5.5 miles, 9 km).  Unfortunately, we will not be able to wait for late arrivals.
2. The walk is during calving season and we may encounter cattle between Addingham and Wooden bridge. Hence, anyone bringing a dog will need to meet us at Wooden Bridge.  

A circular walk from Addingham, along and in the vicinity of the River Wharfe.  The walk includes such natural wonders as The Strid, where the Wharfe is squeezed through a narrow gap in the rocks and turns into a raging torrent as a result and the sessile oaks of Strid Wood.  There are also historical features, including the remains of both Barden Tower and Bolton Priory and the Cavendish Memorial.  Also, look out for what appears to be a bridge, but is really a piped aqueduct!  

We will leave Addingham on the Dales Way, heading north (N) and following the west (W) bank of the Wharfe. Shortly after we pass the A59, we will cross Bolton Bridge and continue northward, along the east (E) bank of the Wharfe.  If it is dry and not too muddy, deviating from the trail to stay with the river takes us around a grassy headland, providing excellent views of the ruins of Bolton Priory.  Rejoining the Dales Way, we will proceed northward through a deciduous wood.  Rather than getting our feet wet at a ford, we will enjoy the luxury of a footbridge, as we cross Pickles Gill.  If anyone is in need of a comfort stop, they can cross the Wooden Bridge, to the toilets at the Cavendish Pavillion.  Most of the time, only pedestrians use the bridge, but the walk leader has seen a car on this, so please stay alert.

Pressing on northwards, we climb away from the Wharfe and into a mixed woodland.  Nonetheless, we will have a brief, distant view of the Strid, through a gap in the trees.  Emerging from the woods, we pass what appears to be a bridge and functions as such.  This has prominent castellations, that hide the Bridge’s true purpose, which is a piped aqueduct.  Finally, we reach and cross Barden Bridge, which serves as our turnaround point.  

Those who wish to, can take a short spur, along a rather steep and winding road, to view the ruins of Barden Tower.  Please take great care on the road, as there is limited visibility, vehicles drive quite fast and the verges are dominated by nettle patches.

Walking southward (S), along the west (W) bank of the Nidd, takes us into Strid Wood and its sessile oaks.  In the midst of the wood, we find The Strid, that gives the wood its name.  Here, the Wharfe makes its way between a narrow gap in rocks, becoming fast moving and very deep, with an undercurrent that carries anyone falling in far under water and traps them there, to meet their doom.  The Strid has claimed a number of lives, so please exercise extreme caution.  There is a viewing area, at a safe distance and it is also possible to walk with care on the rocks, but it is essential to stay well back from the water’s edge and especially to avoid the wet, moss covered rocks close to The Strid.  These will be slippery and losing one’s footing is all too likely to lead to a terminal encounter with the river.  Misguided people have on occasion attempted to jump The Strid (perhaps misled by the name referring to a stride, although even at its narrowest this is over 2 wide), with tragic results.  The walk leader understands that there are no known survivors, of a fall into The Strid’s waters.  Avoid the rocks entirely, if it has rained recently, not only due to the danger of slipping, but also because that the river can overtop its narrow channel.  The Strid is beautiful, but also lethal and needs to be treated with respect!

We then pass Cavendish Pavillion and will make a comfort stop.  If time permits and this isn’t too crowded, we may also visit the Pavillion café.  In one of the very few dull stretches on the walk, we must pass the large Riverside car park, but the payoff comes, when we enter an open field and climb up a steep, but short slope, to view the elaborate Gothic style Cavendish Memorial Fountain.  A short walk along a pavement takes us into the pretty churchyard of the Priory Church at Bolton Abbey.  If time permits and this is open, we will pause to look at the interior of the church.  The churchyard also provides further views of the ruins of the Priory.  

Following the Dales Way through a wooded area and across fields then takes us back to Bolton Bridge and we will retrace our route back to Addingham, where the walk leader will visit a pub.  Those who wish to are most welcome to join him.  

A lunch stop will be made at a suitable location.