Skell Gill and some ancient bridges walking and hiking route
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Walk Instructions
Skell Gill is a small, peaceful hamlet situated due
west of Askrigg, comprising several farms and
about a dozen cottages. In pack-horse days Skell
Gill had three inns, being a significant stopover
point on an ancient road. A narrow, hump back
bridge deters the modern motorist!
Leave Lodge Yard, turn right and enter the lane to the
right of the church. Beyond the houses pass through
a gate signposted - Mill Gill Force. A paved path
extends across the meadow towards the redundant
mill. Pass beneath the metal aqueduct, cross a
footbridge and follow an obvious path into the woods
(a bluebell wonderland in season).
At an obvious footpath junction turn left through the
stile (detour right to Mill Gill Force recommended)
and continue across two fields to merge with a road.
Follow the road uphill, turning left at the first
opportunity into Skell Gill Lane.
Note the arches at Spen House. These are
probably bee boles, recesses that held bee skeps
in times of self sufficiency. Also, the protruding
‘through stones’ at Luke’s House. These were
used as a building technique and not decoration.
Continue over the bridge then turn left into a wide
lane, prior to reaching a ford. Follow the lane to a
signpost then veer right towards Sedbusk, treading
a pleasant green swathe that rolls out towards a
conifer plantation and farm houses. This is Shaw Cote
farm originally built in 1677. At this juncture turn
left, pass through the gate and walk along the farm
access road. Where the road curves right and drops
downwards, veer left, walking beneath a limestone
outcrop - Shaw Cote Scar - towards a gate. Marker
posts lead across the field gradually descending to
the road. Seek a stile in the wall 20 yards prior to
some hawthorn hedging.
Turn left and follow the road for a mile, keeping left
at the Bainbridge junction, to pass a cluster of
houses known as Bow Bridge.
Note the converted chapel, built in 1908, and two
bridges already mentioned.
Follow the road beyond the bridge and the remaining
houses towards a stile on the right - signposted Yore
Bridge. This leads to Hockett Bridge, a delightful,
miniature construction. Cross the bridge towards the
railway, turning left across a modern footbridge.
For the return to Askrigg just walk alongside the
railtrack, noticing the former station building and
platform. Fifty yards beyond the station building turn
left, then right at the main road and return to Askrigg
via the churchyard.
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Disclaimer: This route was correct at time of writing. However, alterations can happen if development or boundary changes occur, and there is no guarantee of permanent access. These walks have been published for use by site visitors on the understanding that neither HPB Management Limited nor any other person connected with Holiday Property Bond is responsible for the safety or wellbeing of those following the routes as described. It is walkers' own responsibility to be adequately prepared and equipped for the level of walk and the weather conditions and to assess the safety and accessibility of the walk.
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