Yorkshire Walks

Beamsley Beacon

Map based on Ordnance Survey mapping by permission of Ordnance Survey on behalf of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright.

Distance: 6 miles/9.5km
Height gain:1,015ft /310m
Walking time: 4 hours
Type of walk: Easy walking; some on country lanes
Start/Finish: Bolton Abbey Estate car park, grid ref: 071539

Beamsley Beacon, an excellent vantage point, is one of a chain of beacons used throughout England to warn of disasters or invasions. The hill is more properly called Howber Hill, and its ascent is a popular outing, usually from Ilkley or Addingham. Here the ascent is made from Bolton Abbey in order to include a visit to the village of Storiths on the return.

Leave the car park at the exit near the information kiosk and turn right to pass the village green. Cross the road with care, and go forward through the Hole in the Wall, beyond which Bolton Priory comes into view. Go down a broad flight of steps and, as you approach the bottom, bear right across a sloping field to wander down to the riverbank. Now simply follow the riverbank, which here forms part of the Dales Way. When the path reaches the edge of Bolton Abbey cricket field, continue on an obvious green track to reach the A59 at Bolton Bridge. 'Old' Bolton Bridge, although still intact, has now been replaced by a 1993 version, but there has been a bridge at this point of the river since 1318. Before then the river would have been crossed by ferry.

Go left across the old bridge, forward to join the new line of the A59, and soon turn right into Beamsley Lane. When you reach Beamsley village, take the road to the left (signposted: Langbar), and follow it up the steep hill that follows. As you come to the top of the road you will see a sign for Beamsley Beacon directing you to follow a wall to meet the main track across the hill. Or you can go further up the road and turn left between two houses on a signposted track leading to the beacon trig pillar.

Having appreciated the extensive view, go back to the lane and down it to take a path on the right leading to Ling Chapel Farm. Keep on past the farm, cross Kex Beck by a footbridge, and walk on to Deerstones, from where an access road leads out to meet the A59 once more. Cross the road, go left a little, and then set off along the footpath to Storiths. Keep following paths through fields to a stile at the lane below Storiths Crag. Stay on the lane, ahead, through Banks Farm, and then change direction to go down to the top of woodland above the Wharfe.

Follow a descending path to the right, turning left at the bottom to reach the footbridge spanning the Wharfe near Bolton Priory. Across the river follow the broad path back to the Hole in the Wall, and from there return to the car park.

From 'Yorkshire Dales: Southern & Western' by Terry Marsh

The information given in this walk has been provided in good faith and is intended only as a general guide. Whilst all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that details were correct at the time of publication, the author and Country Publications Ltd cannot accept any responsibility for inaccuracies. It is the responsibility of individuals undertaking outdoor activities to approach the activity with caution and, especially if inexperienced, to do so under appropriate supervision. The activity described in this walk is strenuous and individuals should ensure that they are suitably fit before embarking upon it. They should carry the appropriate equipment and maps, be properly clothed and have adequate footwear. They should also take note of weather conditions and forecasts, and leave notice of their intended route and estimated time of return.