National Trail Guides UK

Contents : DALES WAY


		Introduction		Day 5
		Day 1		Day 6
		Day 2		Day 7
		Day 3		Day 8
		Day 4		Day 9

THE DALES WAY RUNS FROM ILKELY (YORKSHIRE) TO BOWNESS (LAKES)

NATIONAL TRAILS GUIDES UK - DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS & GALLERIES

Day 6 :: A Short Day :: Dent to Millthrop (near Sedbergh) :: 5 miles

We began our walk at Church Bridge on the road into Dent from Newby Head. To access the Dales Way it was necessary to pass through a very narrow squeeze and gate and descend a steep but short flight of steps to the river bank. Carol and I are slim but found the squeeze very tight. At the foot of the steps there was a narrow track to the side of the River Dee, which was still very short of water.

A narrow neck of grass lay between us and the dried up river bed of the River Dee. Trees lined the river bank on both sides. On our left were fertile grassy fields with tree boundaries separating them.

Today was a wonderful, sunny Sabbath Day and we had spent most of it in church. We were now starting our walk at 5pm; hence the short distance to be covered today. Our immediate objective was Barth Bridge. En route we encountered many stiles. As we continued to walk the river began to fill with more water, and there were many ducks swimming thereon. Songbirds were our constant companions and had been each day, so much so that we took it for granted now.



River Dee at Dent		Middleton Fell and Combe Scar

The fields and meadows each side of the river were very attractive, showing varying hues of greens and yellows. The track would often disappear, leaving a soft gentle grassy path to follow. In the distance to our left we could see Barbondale and the towering contours of Middleton Fell and Combe Scar.

We crossed the Dent to Sedbergh Road and continued on the Dales Way, still on the left bank of the river. We were still walking on a soft grassy track and in places were the river curved there were some splendid views. We reached Barth Bridge with its attractive arches, one large one spanning the river and the others raised slightly on the meadow upon which we were walking, and which was obviously the river's flood plain.



Barth Bridge		River Dee near Barth Bridge

Having reached Barth Bridge our next objective was Ellers Farm, where our path would change from the river bank to a quiet minor road. We continued along our path, which for a short while changed to an overgrown and un-farmed thistle area but soon we were back along a smooth grassy track.

The river was now quite full of water and the trees each side dipped gently into its waters or hovered protectingly above them. Blue, lilac and white flowers grew between the trees. The riverbank seemed like an idyllic haven for the local wildlife.

We passed the point opposite to Barbondale and neared two large farms, the first being Dillcar, which we at first mistook for Ellers. Near Dillcar the path swung round to our right in a large loop to follow the meander of the river. After about a mile the path changed to a narrow stony track leading through a stand of trees raised above the river bank, and once out of the trees led through a small metal swing gate along the edge of the tree line and back onto fertile grassy fields at the side of tall trees lining the river.

As we approached Ellers Farm we were dismayed to see that for a 100 yards or so the path narrowed to a foot wide running between nettles and thistles growing 4 feet or more. As I was walking in shorts this was very uncomfortable and my legs were badly stung, despite my best efforts to avoid the nettles. Carol had long trousers on and was not bothered.

At the end of the path it was necessary to jump a deep water filled trench which took us to the farm entrance and onto a minor road. Checking our OS map it seems that the Dales Way had actually turned off earlier than we did to join the road, but wherever this was it completely escaped us.



Dilcar Farm with Miiddleton Fell in background		The Dales Way runs through this stand of nettles at Ellers



Bridge over the River Dee at Ellers - this is not the path		Road out of Ellers - this is the Dales Way

There was a footbridge at Ellers, over the River Dee, which was now quite richly filled with clear water, but our way did not lead across the bridge. We instead followed the road, a quiet back road with no traffic, that wound its way between meadows for much of our route.

We passed several farmsteads and then walked beneath Rottenbutts Wood. At Lenacre Farm Carol stopped to stroke an adorable collie that was tethered to a door. There were cattle with small calves in a field nearby. The road turned sharp right and led downhill to cross the River Dee at Brackensgill. There was a choice of a ford or a footbridge. We followed the road to the ford but the river seemed too deep. The footbridge looked inaccessible, but after some searching we saw a path to our left that had escaped our notice and which led to the bridge, a single span wooden bridge giving views up and down the river. The ford looked very deep, considering the water level was so low, and i would certainly not volunteer to try it.

A stony path between reaching herbage led us gently towards the Dent to Sedbergh Road, between stone walls almost hidden by the herbage, with pasture land on the opposite side of the walls.

Our guide book told us to cross the river further along the road at Rash Bridge, but as the print date was 9 years ago we decided to follow our OS map instead, which showed the Dales Way as crossing the River Dee here at Brackensgill. We crossed the wooden footbridge and found ourselves on an easy track between 2 walls that led to the Sedbergh to Dent road a little further up.



River Dee between Ellers and Lenacre Farm		Cottage near to Brackensgill

We emerged on the road beside an attractive range of farm buildings. On the side of the road was a Dales Way sign clearly pointed the way back that we had just come, to Dent, but there was no corresponding sign pointing the way to Millthrop. The OS map showed a path opposite but staggered towards the left but all we could see was a path that did not bear left but looked like the drive to a house. It is was the path it was too intimidating to use. The guide book had directed us to cross the River Dee at Rash Bridge, which was some distance ahead of us. Our OS map ended at about this point and so we were not sure what to do.

The only sensible thing seemed to be to follow the road towards Millthrop and hope that there would be a footpath opposite to Rash farm which was about a half mile in front of us. We passed Gate Manor, and at Carol's insistence I took a photograph of a grazing ass and ewe that seemed to have formed a strong companionship. The manor was very attractive and dominated the whole area.

At length we found ourselves at Rash Farm and could see the old Dales Way route coming up from the river. On the opposite side was a Dales Way marker and signpost to Millthrop. So the book had been correct and the OS map wrong. As we opened the metal gate farm dogs started barking at us. We saw a stile to our left and headed for it but my gut feeling was that we should have been going straight ahead and uphill. After several hundred yards we re-checked the guide book and noticed that we should have been walking up the centre of the field and steeply uphill away from the gate.

We reluctantly returned and the dogs started barking again. This was a long and steep field and we could see no sign of the stile at the top, but had acquired a new faith in the guide book, despite the date of its printing. We soon saw the stile and crossed it. We aimed for a copse of trees way in front and towards our left. We found a circular copse which was walled. We were looking for a hidden stile which we eventually found. It really was well hidden and could not be seen until reaching the last few yards of the field.



Gate Manor		Friends at Gate Manor



Top of the very long field at Rash Farm		Track from copse to gate and choice of 2 tracks

This led to a short track (about 30 yards) and then on to a narrow track heading to our left, between two walls. This soon led through a gate and then opened out to a large grassy area, with two tracks. We took that to the right, running parallel to a stone wall.

We crossed a stile and were looking for a golf course, which our guide book assured us we should now be upon, but it was nowhere to be seen. As we scanned the area a lady and dog appeared from our right and we asked her where the golf course and the Dales Way were. She confirmed we were on the Dales Way but told us the golf course had moved to a different location many years ago and what was once a golf course here and been left to rough pasture. Sheep now grazed the area and sedge grasses grew in clumps.

She was walking to Millthrop, and we walked with her. As we proceeded straight ahead from the stile, descending as we walked, Sedbergh appeared through some trees ahead of us, sited prominently on the side of a hill. Millthrop was just below it. We soon reached a stony track that led us to the village centre.

We found Millthrop to be a very attractive hamlet, with clusters and terraces of cottages. One cottage in particular stood out, being festooned with flowering blossoms in every available space. We learned from our friend that it had won an award the year before for having the best blooms in all the villages round about, and was awaiting a decision for this year.

We left the village to find our car which we had left in a lay-by overlooking the River Rawthey.



Former site of Sedbergh golf course with Sedbergh in the distance		Cottage in the centre of Millthrop


Day 5	Day 7

Author - Roy McKee