Aysgarth Walk: Exploring Aysgarth Falls and Historic Castle Bolton

Discover Waterfalls and Charming Villages on the Aysgarth Walk in Wensleydale

To start your Aysgarth walk, park in the centre of Aysgarth village. This picturesque village is situated on the A684, conveniently located midway between Hawes to the west and Leyburn to the east. Roadside parking is available along the A684 in the village centre, providing easy access to the trail. Begin your journey by heading east, passing Hamilton’s Tea Room on your left. As the main road curves slightly to the right, take the smaller road on the left. Walk past the left side of the war memorial and continue down the road, which descends after you pass a chapel on your right.

At the bottom of the hill, you will spot a public footpath sign pointing towards Aysgarth Falls. Follow this path, which guides you eastward across several fields for approximately half a mile (0.8 kilometres). Soon, you will reach a road called Church Bank. Turn left here and proceed downhill towards the Upper Falls of Aysgarth Falls. Cross Yore Bridge, and you’ll notice a footpath leading to the right, directing you towards the Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre.

Once on the path, continue through the visitor centre car park until you reach the main road. Carefully cross the road and follow the signs directing you to the Middle Falls and Lower Falls of Aysgarth Falls. The trail will lead you eastward, meandering through the enchanting Freeholders’ Wood and St Joseph’s Wood before emerging into open countryside. Continue north-east towards the landmark of Hollins House.

Upon reaching Hollins House, follow the track through the property. Then, turn right to join the public footpath that heads towards Castle Bolton. The path will lead you across a series of fields, moving in a north-east direction. As you trek, you’ll pass through High Thoresby, following clear public footpath signs towards Castle Bolton. When you eventually arrive at the main road, known as Brunton Bank, turn right. Exercise caution here, as this road can be busy. After about five minutes, as the road curves sharply to the right, take the path on your left, signposted to Castle Bolton.

Continue your walk across fields and along a farm track for about half a mile (0.8 kilometres) until you reach the road that leads into the village of Castle Bolton. At the top of the road, turn left and proceed between the castle on your left and the church on your right. Keep moving straight ahead, and you’ll find the route that takes you towards Askrigg. Pass through a gate and a small wooded area, emerging onto a stone track that stretches across Ellerlands Edge.

Follow this track westward through the countryside for approximately 1½ miles (2.4 kilometres). As you continue, the route will gradually veer southward, and you’ll come across a signpost indicating directions for Castle Bolton, Askrigg, and Carperby. Take the path signposted to Carperby, which follows a well-defined route heading south for about 1¼ miles (2 kilometres) until you reach the village of Carperby.

Upon entering Carperby, turn right onto the main village road. Walk along the road, passing both the village hall and the Wheatsheaf pub, which are on your right. Just after the Wheatsheaf, turn left and follow the footpath signposted to Aysgarth. This trail will guide you across several fields until you arrive at a minor road known as Low Lane. Cross this road and continue on the path towards Aysgarth.

As you proceed southward, traversing more fields, you will eventually reach a wood. If you wish to shorten your Aysgarth walk at this point, turn right to rejoin the main road, which will lead you back to Aysgarth Falls. However, if you prefer to extend the walk, turn left and continue through the woods. After emerging from the wooded area, follow the path along the right-hand side of a field. Then, turn right and go through a railway tunnel.

Immediately after passing through the tunnel, turn right again. The path will lead you through St Joseph’s Wood and Freeholders’ Wood for roughly half a mile (0.8 kilometres), eventually bringing you to the main road near the Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre, where you were earlier in the day. Cross the road once more, walk back through the visitor centre car park, and follow the path down to the Upper Falls of Aysgarth Falls.

To conclude your Aysgarth walk, cross Yore Bridge again and head back up Church Bank. Turn right onto the footpath opposite the gates of St Andrew’s Church. From there, simply retrace your steps, following the footpath across the fields back to Aysgarth village. This delightful walk spans approximately 9 miles (14.5 kilometres) through the stunning Wensleydale region of the Yorkshire Dales. Along the way, you’ll find opportunities for refreshments, with a café and toilets at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre and Bolton Castle. Additionally, there is a pub in Carperby and a tea room in Aysgarth village.

Aysgarth Walk: Distance, Duration, Statistics

Recommended Ordnance Survey Map

The best map to use on this walk is the Ordnance Survey map of the Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central Area, reference OS Explorer OL30, scale 1:25,000. It clearly displays footpaths, rights of way, open access land and vegetation on the ground, making it ideal for walking, running and hiking. The map can be purchased from Amazon in either a standard, paper version or a weatherproof, laminated version, as shown below.

About Aysgarth

Aysgarth is a charming village located in Wensleydale, North Yorkshire. It lies within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The village has a rich history, with its first mention in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the name Echescard. The name likely derives from Old Norse, combining eiki, meaning oak, and skarð, which could mean open space, cleft, or mountain pass. Therefore, this suggests the name refers to an ‘oak tree cleft’, possibly describing the valley formed by the River Ure. This Aysgarth walk offers a popular route that allows visitors to explore this scenic area.

At the time of the Norman Conquest, Cnut, son of Karli, held the manor. Later, Count Alan of Brittany took possession and granted lordship to Geoffrey of Swaffham. By the 13th century, the Burgh family of Hackforth owned the manor. It remained with them until 1480, when Richard, Duke of Gloucester, acquired it. Additionally, some parts of the manor passed to the lords of Middleham and eventually followed the descent of the manor of Thoralby.

Aysgarth’s Surrounding Area and Landmarks

The village sits along the A684 road, near the south bank of the River Ure. Nearby settlements include Carperby, which this Aysgarth walk passes through, to the north. Thoralby lies to the south-west, and West Burton is to the south-east, all within one mile (1.6 kilometres) of Aysgarth.

Moreover, St. Andrew’s Church is easily visited during this Aysgarth walk. The church is a notable landmark in the village. Rebuilt significantly in 1536 and restored in 1866, it is now a Grade II listed building. Furthermore, the churchyard is unusually large, covering about four acres. Inside, the church houses several fittings rescued from Jervaulx Abbey during the Dissolution of the Monasteries, including a rood screen and the abbot’s stall.

Aysgarth Walk: My Photos

Shortly after leaving Aysgarth, we begin our Aysgarth walk, heading east along a charming path that winds across open fields. This path connects the village of Aysgarth with the renowned Aysgarth Falls. It sits nestled between the River Ure to the north and the A684 main road to the south, offering a peaceful and picturesque start to our journey.

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The path from Aysgarth village leads us onto Church Bank, where the entrance to St Andrew’s Church stands directly opposite. However, instead of exploring the church, we turn left and continue our Aysgarth walk, making our way down the road towards Aysgarth Falls.

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As we near the bottom of Church Bank, we catch our first glimpse of the stunning Upper Falls of Aysgarth Falls by peering over the wall to our left. The River Ure gracefully tumbles over a series of stepped waterfalls. Although recent dry weather has lowered the water level, the falls remain a captivating sight. I’ve seen the river in full force, with water powerfully surging over the steps, but even in this gentle state, the scene is mesmerising.

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Crossing Yore Bridge at the bottom of Church Bank, the majestic Yore Mill comes into view on our right. Built in 1784, Yore Mill was originally a cotton mill but has served various purposes over the years, including as a corn mill, flax mill, and woollen mill. Later, it became a centre for stocking manufacture before its conversion into the Yorkshire Carriage Museum in 1969.

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On the far side of Yore Bridge, we have the option to take a brief detour to get a closer look at the Upper Falls. This tranquil spot is perfect for a short break—a coffee from the flask and a quick snack. Although it’s a short diversion, we must return to the bridge to continue our Aysgarth walk.

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We pass by the Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre, which features a café, shop, and toilets. Passing through the car park, we proceed to our next highlight on the Aysgarth walk—the Middle Falls of Aysgarth Falls.

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Wow, what a view! Descending the steps in Freeholders’ Wood, we arrive at a viewing platform that offers an incredible perspective of the Middle Falls. It’s easy to see why this spot has been photographed countless times.

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After admiring the Middle Falls, we follow the scenic path through Freeholders’ Wood towards the Lower Falls. The trail is wide, firm, and well-maintained, making it accessible to all. Freeholders’ Wood is an ancient woodland teeming with life, having been a haven for plants and animals over the centuries. The name derives from the Freeholders of Carperby, who still retain the right to collect fallen wood, known as ‘estovers’.

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As we continue our Aysgarth walk, Freeholders’ Wood blends seamlessly into St Joseph’s Wood. The path is truly delightful, with benches thoughtfully placed along the way, inviting us to pause and soak in the beauty.

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At the Lower Falls of Aysgarth Falls, the River Ure flows over several wide, flat layers of rock, creating a stunning series of cascading waterfalls. Although the falls aren’t particularly high, their breadth and the way the water fans out across the rock layers make them an impressive sight. The water has a distinctive golden-brown tint, caused by the presence of peat in the surrounding landscape. As water flows through the upland areas of the Yorkshire Dales, it picks up natural organic materials from the peat bogs and moorlands. Peat, which forms from decaying plant matter in wet, acidic conditions, gives the water this characteristic brown or tea-like colour. Although the water appears brown, it remains clean and is a natural part of the river’s ecosystem. This earthy hue adds to the beauty of the waterfalls, enhancing the natural charm of the scene.

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Our Aysgarth walk continues along a grassy public footpath, leading us eastward through St Joseph’s Wood. This pleasant and easy-going trail offers stunning views of the countryside and makes for a thoroughly enjoyable walk.

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Leaving St Joseph’s Wood behind, our path ascends north-eastward towards Hollins House, where we pass a mix of old and new farm buildings.

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Beyond Hollins House, the trail skirts the edge of a large grassy field until we reach a gate set into a dry stone wall.

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Upon reaching the dry stone wall, a signpost guides us through the gate towards the village of Castle Bolton. In the distance, the imposing silhouette of Bolton Castle begins to dominate the horizon. To clarify, Bolton Castle is the castle itself, while Castle Bolton is the village next to it.

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Following the public footpath across the fields, we encounter another signpost. We face a choice: take a shorter route via the main road or opt for a longer path that avoids the road altogether. We choose the shorter route, though in hindsight, the busyness of the road makes us wish we had taken the longer option. Fortunately, we only spend about five minutes on the road, so it doesn’t detract from our walk.

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Continuing our Aysgarth walk, the path meanders through the beautiful countryside, leading us past the farm buildings at High Thoresby.

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The grassy public footpath has been a joy to walk along, and with every step, Bolton Castle looms ever closer. The abundance of signposts keeps us on track, and we eagerly anticipate reaching our destination.

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After navigating the main road, we cross more fields before a tarmac track guides us up to a minor road, which eventually leads us to Castle Bolton.

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At last, we arrive in the village of Castle Bolton, with the magnificent castle just ahead.

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But before we reach the castle, something catches our eye—a large dragon sculpture, intricately carved from a fallen ash tree in 2013, standing proudly by the roadside.

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Finally, we reach the 14th-century Bolton Castle, the crowning highlight of our Aysgarth walk. This well-preserved medieval fortress was built by Sir Richard le Scrope, Lord Chancellor of England under Richard II. Construction began in 1379 and finished in 1399. The castle, a Grade I listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument, also holds a fascinating history as the place where Mary, Queen of Scots, was imprisoned for six months. Legend has it she attempted to escape, losing her shawl as she made her way to Leyburn, hence the name ‘Leyburn Shawl’—a cliff edge path often used by walkers en route to the castle.

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Directly opposite Bolton Castle stands St Oswald’s Church, a modest yet charming stone building with a simple tower. While a church has existed here since the 12th century, the current structure dates back to the 1320s, making it even older than the castle. We take a moment to explore the church’s peaceful interior.

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Leaving Castle Bolton behind, we head west, where the breathtaking view is dominated by the towering Penhill to the south. This prominent hill is one we’ve climbed before, usually starting from the nearby village of West Witton.

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From the grounds of Bolton Castle, we pass through a gate and a small wooded area, then follow a well-worn stone track westward across Ellerlands Edge.

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After a couple of miles of comfortable walking, we join a bridleway that heads south for about 1¼ miles towards the village of Carperby. Although the sky hints at rain, we’re fortunate to only encounter a brief shower. The well-marked paths and tracks, surrounded by Wensleydale’s picturesque landscape of dry stone walls and old barns, guide us safely to Carperby.

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After leaving Carperby and crossing the fields to Low Lane, we follow the signpost directing us back to Aysgarth, continuing our Aysgarth walk.

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As we pass beneath a railway tunnel, we re-enter St Joseph’s Wood. Taking an immediate right, we continue along the public footpath through the serene woodland.

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The path through St Joseph’s Wood is well-maintained and easy to follow, providing a delightful walking experience with a soft and comfortable surface underfoot.

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St Joseph’s Wood soon merges with Freeholders’ Wood, and we follow the signposted public footpath, also marked as the Aysgarth Falls ‘red route’.

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Eventually, we emerge from Freeholders’ Wood and find ourselves back at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre, which we passed through earlier in the day on our Aysgarth walk.

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Crossing Yore Bridge once again, we pause to take one last look at the Upper Falls of Aysgarth Falls, appreciating their beauty before concluding our journey.

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Finally, back in Aysgarth, we conclude our Aysgarth walk near the World War I (1914-1918) monument, located on a small village green beside the main road. We reflect on the remarkable sights we’ve seen along the way.

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