Grassington Walk: Explore Linton Falls, Hebden, and Grassington

Enjoy a Scenic Grassington Walk with Riverside Views and Moorland Trails

Begin your Grassington walk by parking at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre in Grassington. This spacious pay-and-display car park offers ample parking, along with access to toilets. If you wish to pick up a snack before setting off, the nearby Grassington town centre is only a short walk away and has several cafés and local shops to explore.

From the southern corner of the car park, follow the clearly signposted path to Linton Falls and the riverside. You’ll see large information boards in the car park, guiding you to the start of the route. Head downhill along the popular path flanked by traditional dry stone walls, which soon leads to the dramatic and much-photographed Linton Falls. Just before the footbridge over the River Wharfe, turn left, following the sign for the Dales Way towards Hebden and Burnsall.

Stay on the path as it gently winds across grassy fields for around one-third of a mile (0.5 kilometres). Eventually, you’ll reach a tarmac lane. Turn right, still following signs for the Dales Way to Hebden and Burnsall. As the lane narrows into a footpath, continue onwards until you arrive at a crossroads. Here, take the second left — now following the Dales Way towards Burnsall, not the first left to Hebden — and cross a wide area of open pastureland.

The River Wharfe will soon draw close on your right. Continue following the Dales Way alongside the river for roughly 1 mile (1.6 kilometres). This is a particularly scenic section of the walk, taking you along tranquil riverside fields and eventually bringing you to Hebden Suspension Bridge. Do not cross the bridge. Instead, turn left, following the signpost for Hebden.

Almost immediately, you’ll arrive at Mill Lane, a quiet minor road. Turn right and walk a short distance along the lane, then take the left-hand footpath signposted to Hebden and Bank Top. Although the path appears to lead through private property, it is a public right of way, signposted Hebden and Bank Top. Pass between the two houses, then continue along the path with the trout farm on your right. Cross the wooden footbridge next to the weir and follow the path as it winds through the valley, gradually climbing the left-hand slope. At the top, go through the kissing gate and turn right onto Mill Lane once more.

Continue along the road, passing the Old School Tea Room on your right, until you reach the B6265. Cross the main road and take the tarmac lane directly opposite. Do not turn right across the bridge to Edge Top — instead, stay straight on the lane, which is marked as a bridleway to Yarnbury.

This quiet country lane follows Hebden Beck as it rises through the valley. Walk for just under two-thirds of a mile (1 kilometre) until you arrive at the tiny hamlet of Hole Bottom. Pass the characterful cottages, go through the gate, and keep to the bridleway signposted to Yarnbury. The tarmac surface gives way to a rougher stone track. Continue north, crossing a single-arched stone bridge over Hebden Beck.

The track then climbs steadily for around three-quarters of a mile (1.2 kilometres), keeping the beck on your left and passing remnants of the area’s industrial past, including old lead mine workings. Eventually, you’ll reach a gate with a sign advising you to use the stepping stones to cross the beck. After crossing, carry on straight ahead through another gate near a shallow ford. This marks roughly the halfway point of your Grassington walk.

The stone track continues north for another third of a mile (0.5 kilometres), still following Hebden Beck. You’ll walk past spoil heaps and further disused mining remains from the Grassington Moor lead industry. As the track bends left and begins to zigzag uphill, the beck falls away behind you. At the top, the path splits — take the right-hand fork, signposted as a public bridleway heading west.

Follow this bridleway for over half a mile (0.8 kilometres), passing a small reservoir and the remains of a lead mine on your left. You will soon arrive at Yarnbury, where the large stone building of Yarnbury House stands directly ahead. Turn right here, heading briefly north, then take the left-hand public footpath signposted to Bycliffe Road.

The stone track continues for over three-quarters of a mile (1.2 kilometres). Initially bordered by dry stone walls on both sides, it eventually opens out as you approach a dilapidated barn known as High Barn. Here, the path forks once again — take the left-hand fork and make your way over to the barn. Follow the yellow waymarkers as the track curves to the left, keeping a dry stone wall on your left-hand side. This path leads you to Bare House, a larger and more substantial abandoned farmhouse with attached outbuildings.

Pass through the gate to the right of Bare House, then turn right and follow the yellow waymarkers once more. The grassy path now begins a steady descent southwards across open fields. You’ll pass a circular stone structure — likely a sheepfold — on your left. Continue downhill, then after about half a mile (0.8 kilometres), go through a gap in a dry stone wall and stay on the path signposted for Grassington.

Keep following the path for another half a mile (0.8 kilometres) as it crosses several fields. You’ll walk through an area dotted with large limestone boulders, pass through more gaps in the stone walls, and cross a number of stiles. The rooftops of Grassington will soon come into view. Continue heading south through a long, walled field which narrows as it descends, and pass through the gate at the bottom.

This track is again signposted as part of the Dales Way. Follow it as it widens and leads to a lane. Turn left and walk between houses and cottages, passing Grassington Methodist Church on your left. At the next road junction, turn right and follow the road as it winds downhill through Grassington until you rejoin the B6265.

To complete your Grassington walk, turn left and follow the pavement alongside the main road, which will lead you back to the Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre car park. This well-rounded circular walk offers a rewarding mix of riverside paths, historical features, peaceful valleys, and open moorland — a perfect introduction to the timeless charm of the Yorkshire Dales.

Grassington 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 Southern & Western Area, reference OS Explorer OL2, 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 Grassington

Grassington is a small market town and civil parish located in North Yorkshire, within the Yorkshire Dales National Park. At the time of the 2011 Census, the parish had a population of 1126. Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, Grassington now lies within the lieutenancy area of North Yorkshire. It is situated in the picturesque landscape of Wharfedale, around 8 miles (13 kilometres) north-west of Bolton Abbey, surrounded by classic limestone scenery. Nearby villages include Linton, Threshfield, Hebden, Conistone and Kilnsey.​

Grassington History

Grassington has a long and fascinating history. The Domesday Book records it as part of the estate of Gamal Barn, encompassing 7 carucates of ploughland (approximately 840 acres or 350 hectares), which included Grassington, Linton and Threshfield. Following the Norman Conquest, the land passed to Gilbert Tison, but by 1118 it had reverted to the Crown and was subsequently granted to the Percy family.​

The name ‘Grassington’ has evolved over time, appearing in early records as Gherinstone, Garsington and Gersington. Its roots can be traced to Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon and Gothic origins, with interpretations such as ‘town of the grassy meadows’ or ‘farmstead surrounded by grass’.​

Originally part of the parish of Linton, Grassington became a separate civil parish in 1866. In 1974, it was transferred from the West Riding of Yorkshire to North Yorkshire.​

Although often referred to as a village, Grassington was granted a Royal Charter in 1282, allowing it to hold a market and annual fair—effectively giving it the status of a market town. Markets were held regularly until around 1860. Grassington Hall, which dates from the late 13th or early 14th century, is reputed to be one of the oldest houses in Yorkshire.​

In the early 17th century, lead mining began to change the character of the area and brought increasing prosperity. Grassington’s heyday came in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The Town Hall, completed in 1855, stands as a reminder of this period of growth. The arrival of the Yorkshire Dales Railway at nearby Threshfield in 1902 brought new visitors to the area—some settling permanently, while others commuted to work in Skipton or the growing limestone quarries.​

In more recent times, Grassington was used as the filming location for the fictional town of Darrowby in Channel 5’s 2020 adaptation of All Creatures Great and Small. While the original books were set in and around Thirsk, producers chose Grassington for its timeless charm, as Thirsk had become too modernised to capture the small-town atmosphere required for the show. The town centre needed little alteration for filming, with minor changes such as removing aerials, satellite dishes, alarm boxes, and updating shop signs to reflect the period.​

Walking in Grassington

Grassington is a popular destination for walkers, offering a variety of scenic routes that showcase the natural beauty of the Yorkshire Dales. One notable Grassington walk is the circular route through Grass Wood and along the River Wharfe, which provides a delightful mix of woodland and riverside scenery. Additionally, the Dales Way passes through Grassington, offering walkers the opportunity to explore stretches of this long-distance trail as it follows the River Wharfe through Wharfedale. ​

Grassington Walk: My Photos

I begin my Grassington walk at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre car park and follow the well-known and much-photographed Sedber Lane path heading down towards Linton Falls.

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Within moments, I spot the footbridge crossing the River Wharfe, along with Linton Falls and the charming cottages scattered along the river’s southern bank.

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From Linton Falls, I make a short detour to visit Linton Falls Hydro, a hydroelectric power station built on the site of the original 1909 scheme established by the Grassington Electric Supply Company. That early station closed in 1948 with the arrival of the National Grid. The present plant, developed by Skipton-based engineering firm JN Bentley, became operational in March 2012 and occupies the original building, now a scheduled monument. It operates using two Archimedean screw turbines, each 2.4 metres (7 feet 10 inches) in diameter and supplied by Spaans Babcock in 2011. With a 2.8-metre (9 feet 2 inches) head and a maximum flow of 4.5 cubic metres per second (160 cubic feet per second), the station generates approximately 500000 kilowatt-hours of electricity annually—enough to power between 90 and 122 homes. Designed to minimise environmental impact, it includes features to protect local wildlife such as bats, white-clawed crayfish, and fine-lined pea mussels. It was nominated for a 2012 English Heritage Angel Award. After exploring the hydro station, I return to the footbridge for another look at the waterfalls.

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Linton Falls

Although this particular Grassington walk doesn’t require me to cross the river, I step onto the footbridge anyway to enjoy the views of Linton Falls from different angles. From here, I look upstream along the River Wharfe and catch sight of Linton Falls Hydro in the distance. I’ve visited this spot many times, and on a dry day like today, the river runs low and calm, revealing the pale limestone bed and forming shallow pools. But after heavy rain, the water transforms into a thunderous torrent, filling the gorge with dramatic force.

I pause at a small viewing area on the southern bank of the River Wharfe. The water tumbles over the rocky riverbed, and I have a clear view of the footbridge stretching across a narrow channel. Here, the river picks up speed, churning white as it races past the rocks. In wet weather, these cascades swell into roaring falls. Linton Falls sits on a section of exposed limestone shaped by both nature and human influence. It also spans part of the Craven Fault, a major geological feature of the Dales. The stepped rocks below me are a visible legacy of that ancient tectonic activity.

Crossing back to the northern bank to continue my Grassington walk, I pause once more for a final look at Linton Falls. From this angle, I get a striking view of the water charging through the limestone gorge, just beneath the footbridge, which was rebuilt in 1989 after earlier structures were lost to floods. It is a beautiful spot and one of the highlights of this walk.

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I continue along the Dales Way, heading towards the Hebden Suspension Bridge. This part of my Grassington walk follows a lovely riverside footpath that runs alongside the River Wharfe. The stretch between Linton Falls and the suspension bridge is roughly two miles (3.2 kilometres), making it a perfect route for anyone seeking a peaceful riverside stroll—especially in fine weather like today.

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Hebden Suspension Bridge

Further along, I arrive at Hebden Suspension Bridge, located about half a mile (0.8 kilometres) south of Hebden village. Built in 1885 by local blacksmith William Bell, the bridge was constructed using 262 yards of surplus steel rope purchased from the Hebden Moor Mining Company. It was built after a storm destroyed Burnsall Bridge two years earlier, which had left villagers with limited access across the river. Funds were raised through public donations, and the bridge’s opening was marked with a celebration that included a brass band and public tea.

Although my Grassington walk doesn’t require me to cross here, I take time to admire the suspension bridge from different angles. Just a few metres downstream are the well-known stepping stones, or ‘Hebden Hippings’, which locals have used as a pedestrian crossing for generations. Legend has it that the bridge was commissioned after a local man, Joseph Slack, drowned while trying to cross the stones, though historical records do not support this claim. True or not, the tale remains part of local folklore, and the stones are an enduring symbol of Hebden’s connection to the River Wharfe.

Today, Hebden Suspension Bridge continues to serve as a vital pedestrian route for those exploring the Yorkshire Dales. Its position over the river offers wonderful views of the surrounding countryside, making it a popular destination. Recent refurbishments by the National Park Authority have helped to preserve the bridge and ensure its continued use.

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From the bridge, I follow Mill Lane before joining a public footpath signposted to Hebden. At first, it feels as though I’m stepping onto someone’s private property as the path runs down a driveway between two stone houses. I can’t help but wonder how the homeowners feel about walkers passing so closely by. Perhaps they’re used to it—it’s certainly a well-used path.

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The trail to Hebden follows a pleasant route through a shallow valley and crosses a picturesque footbridge over Hebden Beck, beside a small weir.

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As I leave the valley and rejoin Mill Lane in Hebden, I pass through a kissing gate and notice a metal plaque mounted on the wall beside it. It reads:

THIS KISSING GATE
ORIGINALLY MADE BY WILLIAM BELL
THE VILLAGE BLACKSMITH, IN 1905
AND RESTORED IN 2022 WITH A KIND
DONATION GIVEN IN MEMORY OF
FRANCIS AND AVRIL NETTLETON
WHO LOVED HEBDEN
HEBDEN PARISH COUNCIL

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I cross the main road in Hebden and follow a tarmac lane through Town Hill. I ignore the path to the right that crosses the bridge and instead carry on straight ahead.

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Continuing north from Town Hill towards Hole Bottom, Hebden Beck flows to my right below the path, while across the valley I see the rocky outcrop known as Care Scar.

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At Hole Bottom, Hebden Beck flows beneath a single-arched stone bridge. It’s such a peaceful spot—ideal for a break, lunch, and a hot drink from my flask.

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The bridleway north of Hole Bottom is a joy to walk along, gently rising through the valley with Hebden Beck on my left and rocky outcrops to my right. This part of my Grassington walk is absolutely stunning.

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I reach a point marked on the Ordnance Survey map as ‘Rocking Stone’. Looking up to my right, I wonder whether the large boulder perched on the ledge in the centre of my photo might be it. I’m not sure—it’s just a guess.

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Further north along the bridleway, I pass a tunnel on my right marked ‘Hebden Ghyll Lanshaw Level Intake’. This is the entrance to Lanshaw Level, a mining adit dug around 1863 by the Hebden Moor Mining Company to tap into mineral veins. Although unproductive, the tunnel accessed a small stream that was piped down the valley to power a waterwheel near Miners’ Bridge. In the 1960s, the Craven Water Board planned to draw up to 150,000 gallons a day from the level to supply Hebden. They built infrastructure including a chlorination plant and gauging weir, but the water proved too hard and came from a lead mine, raising health concerns. The project was abandoned, and mains water was brought in from Embsay Reservoir instead.

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The path continues north through this scenic valley beside Hebden Beck. The sun is shining, and I’m thoroughly enjoying my Grassington walk.

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Roughly two-thirds of a mile (1.1 kilometres) north of Hole Bottom, signs of former mining activity emerge. This was once a hub for lead mining, especially in the mid-19th century under the Hebden Moor Mining Company. Formed in 1854, the company extracted lead ore from veins extending into Bolton Gill. As shallow deposits were exhausted by the mid-1860s, they began constructing Hebden Horse Level around 1864. This drainage tunnel ran 1.5 miles (2.4 kilometres) north-east but yielded no valuable ore. After 15 years of effort, the company was liquidated in 1889.

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Past the old workings, I reach a gate with a sign instructing walkers to cross Hebden Beck using stepping stones. I do so, now with the beck on my right. The path later crosses the beck again. When the water’s high, these crossings can be tricky, though it’s not essential to cross as a path runs alongside the drystone wall on the left.

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Near the top of the valley, I glance to my right and see Hebden Beck flowing below. Across the water stands the grassy and rocky slope of Loss Gill Bank, with a tall stone barn basking in the sunlight. The drystone walls lining the hillside are remarkable—I find myself wondering who built them and how long they’ve stood.

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Continuing through disused mining ground, the track follows Hebden Beck before veering left, taking me away from the beck and westwards towards Yarnbury.

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As I pass a small stone building on my left, I realise I’ve joined the Grassington Leadmining Trail. This is the Cockbur Powder House, where miners’ blasting powder was once stored in the cool, dry back room. It may have been handed out by the under-agent through the window, with the cost deducted from wages.

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I make a quick detour to explore more of the Grassington Leadmining Trail. I reach a large disused site containing Beever’s Engine Shaft, sunk in 1836 to a depth of 50 fathoms (91 metres). It housed pumps to raise water to the Duke’s Level, a drainage tunnel begun in 1796 and completed by the 1830s.

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The pumps were powered by a nearby waterwheel, once housed in the Wheel House building. In the 1960s, the building was repurposed to wash spoil for recovering barytes used in the chemical industry.

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Back on the bridleway towards Yarnbury, I pass the Shallow Shafts, remnants of 17th and 18th-century lead mines. These shallow pits, part of the old ‘meer’ system, were worked in assigned blocks. Although my Grassington walk doesn’t include the full trail, it might be worth returning to complete the 18-feature route another day.

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At Yarnbury, I admire the elegant Yarnbury House and neighbouring Yarnbury Cottage, both Grade II listed buildings. Likely former homes or offices for the mining industry, they sit on the edge of this historic area. I turn right and head north to continue my Grassington walk.

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Following the track from Yarnbury, I look out across the wild landscape of Conistone Moor. In the distance, I spot Sweet Hill at 686 metres, just south of the taller Great Whernside at 704 metres.

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I reach High Barn, then continue to Bare House, an old stone farmhouse with adjoining barns. I find myself wondering who once lived here and what farming life must have been like in this remote place.

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From Bare House, the path heads south along a grassy track. It’s easy underfoot, though there are one or two boggy patches after rain. The area is scattered with large limestone boulders and traces of ancient field systems and settlements.

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Nearing the end of my Grassington walk, I rejoin the Dales Way and enter the town from the north, walking along Chapel Street past Grassington Methodist Church.

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As I stroll through the centre of Grassington, I pass The Devonshire Inn, a handsome stone-fronted pub. Fans of All Creatures Great and Small might recognise it as The Drovers Arms, where the fictional villagers gathered. It’s lovely to see Grassington’s historic charm playing a starring role in the series.

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After a pleasant wander around Grassington’s cobbled streets, I take one last look back before making my way to the visitor centre car park.

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I end my Grassington walk back where I began—at the Yorkshire Dales National Park Visitor Centre car park—after a truly varied and memorable day out.

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