The Grey Panthers
9 May, - Bolton Castle & Preston-under-Scar
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8.8 miles

Explorer Map OL30, - Yorkshire Dales (North)

One of the most scenic walks to be had in Wensleydale. The combination of attractive villages (Redmire, Preston-under-Scar) and Castle Bolton), the less visited but still spectacular waterfall of Redmire Force, and stupendous views of Penhill and Wensleydale make this a walk out of the top draw.
There are, however, two problems.
Firstly, the car parking charge at Bolton Castle is no longer a modest fee. Although the fee is deducted from the cost of admission to the castle, this is of no use if you are not visiting the castle. You aren't allowed to park in the village itself, so you either have to fork out for car parking or find another start point for the walk.
The other POSSIBLE problem is that the footpath along Redmire Scar comes to a point where a notice says that there is no right of way and directs you off the track. We could see no reason for barring the way along a disused quarry track, and continued. However, be aware that somebody doesn't want you to go that way, for whatever creason.

Memory Map
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory Map)

Some new mapping software is now availabe which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers website, - just use QUO!!

Quo logo

Start Point : The car park opposite Bolton Castle in the village of Castle Bolton. (SE03297 91832), BUT SEE NOTE ABOVE.
Walk East along the main street of the village to take the sign posted footpath to Redmire,
In Redmire. head South and follow the main street to where it bends sharp right. Go straight ahead down the lane to Mill Farm, and take the signposted footpath to Redmire Force.
The Apedale Beck is crossed by a steel I-beam bridge. Continue to the lower falls. The upper falls can be visited by taking an initially steep footpath which continues through woodland.
Retrace your steps to Mill Farm.
At Mill Farm take the signposted footpath to Well Lane, and then take the field footpath to West Wood and Bolton Hall.
Just before Bolton Hall, turn left and take the lane to where it crosses the Wensley - Redmire road at Stoneham Cottage, Cross the road and continue ahead on the footpath to Preston-under-Scar.
In Preston-under-Scar head up the road signosted to Richmond. Just before a right bend, there is a track on your left with a public footpath sign. Head up this track, and then take the footpath haf-right that heads up to Preston Scar.
Once on the scar, turn left and wealk along the Scar to the Redmire - Richmond road. Cross the road and take the footpath that runs beside the quarry workings to Redmire Scar.
As you leave Scarlet Wood, a prominent sign tells you that there is no right of way ahead and to take the footpath on your right. The footpath on the right leads to Grinton Moor and would served no purpose.
We continued ahead on the quarry track alongside a disused quarry.
Just above a waterfall on your left you can make out the footpath that goes steeply downill over fields to Castle Bolton.
Follow this footpath to Hargill Lane and then take the road (East Lane) back to Castle Bolton.