Yorkshire Walks

Yarnbury and the Old Lead Mines

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

Length of walk: 4.5 miles
Start: Yarnbury (the walk could also start from Hebden)
Terrain: Uneven sections in Hebden Gill; careful navigation between Yarnbury and Hebden

From the top end of Grassington Main Street, continue uphill along Moor Lane for two miles to Yarnbury. Each building here has associations with the lead mining activities of the 18th and 19th centuries. The large house was the mine agent's home and offices. The smaller dwelling was the blacksmith's forge. The others were the weigh house and powder store.

Before setting out notice Barratt's Incline sunk in 1828, situated opposite the 'blacksmith's forge. This is where horse drawn tubs of ore were hauled to the surface.
The walk starts in front of the main house. Veer right along the road to a stile - signposted Hebden. Cross the pasture, passing some perfectly shaped 'bell pits', making towards another narrow stile. From this, head towards a wall angle and signpost, then continue walking, with the wall on the right. Pass another stile/signpost gradually parting company with the wall and descending with a farmhouse directly ahead. The path eventually curves right arriving at a wide gate (sheepfold). From the gate walk diagonally across the centre of the field and make for a gated stile. Leaving the field, continue ahead veering slightly right. Cross a major track (Tinkers' Lane) then make towards a telegraph pole and a section of wall. Seek a ladder stile a few yards farther on, close to an angle. Hebden will be in view.

Cross the ladder stile, head downhill and locate a stile/signpost adjacent to an old farmhouse. From the stile cross the field towards a farm and another stile/signpost. Don't cross this stile - instead about turn, and follow the direction to Hebden. This manoeuvre leads to a new gate. Pass through the gate continuing, with the wall on your left, towards a ladder stile. From the stile a clear path goes diagonally across the field towards Hebden where the busy B6265 road dissects the village.

At the crossroads beyond the public house, turn left, and follow the road for almost a mile to a small cluster of houses (Hole Bottom). Pass through the gate leading to Yarnbury following the beck upstream for approximately 1.5 miles. Evidence of the lead mining industry including the site of a crushing mill, levels, spoil tips and bell pits is unavoidable along the way.

There are paths either side of the beck, but after passing a ford (barrier across beck) stick to the left bank. This path passes through some massive spoil tips, before rising away from the beck to a signpost alongside a gate. Pass through the gate, follow the track to merge with another then swing left to Yarnbury, passing Beevor Dam, a man made reservoir associated with the lead industry.

From 'Walks Around Grassington' by Richard Musgrave

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.