North from the car park in Buckden across Buckden Rake to have a look at the waterfall near Cray High Bridge, then south to return to the hamlet of Cray. West by way of Scar House to Yockenthwaite followed by a U-turn and a walk east along the banks of the River Wharfe to Hubberholme. Lastly north-east on the minor road to Stubbing Bridge, up through the Cray Gill valley to Cray, and south via Buckden Rake back to the car park. A 9-mile walk in the Yorkshire Dales.
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.
Standard Version
Mike admiring the views of Upper Wharfedale from the elevated track between Buckden and Buckden Rake.
Cray Gill at Cray.
The White Lion Inn, Cray.
It’s a cold, frosty morning but with plenty of layers of clothing we’re warm and comfortable. The sun is out and the air is clear, giving us some absolutely breathtaking views of the stunning Yorkshire Dales landscape. Winter walks can be just as amazing as any other time of the year.
Scar House on the northern side of the Langstrothdale valley, about half a mile north-west of Hubberholme. The house is Grade 2 listed and dates back to the 17th century.
The path between Scar House and Yockenthwaite on the northern edge of Strans Wood.
The small hamlet of Yockenthwaite in Langstrothdale, about 1½ miles north-west of Hubberholme.
Yockenthwaite is associated with the most recent Channel 5 British TV series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’, which was inspired by the autobiographical books of James Herriot, a veterinarian who worked in the Yorkshire Dales during the 1930s and 1940s.
In the TV series, Yockenthwaite was portrayed as the home of the character Helen Alderson.
Grade 2 listed bridge at Yockenthwaite. The bridge is constructed of gritstone rubble and features a single high segmental arch that spans the River Wharfe. The bridge dates from the 18th century when many similar bridges were built in the area.
St Michael and All Angels, Hubberholme
The small Norman church of St Michael and All Angels in Hubberholme dates mostly from the 12th century, with its oak roof completed in 1558. Its oak pews, choir stalls, and chairs were crafted by Kilburn’s Robert Thompson, known as ‘the mouseman,’ and his signature trademark mouse carving can be found in many places within the church. The tower houses two bells, both cast by John Taylor and Co of Loughborough in the early 20th century, replacing an older bell cast by William Oldfield in 1601, which is now on display in the church. The cemetery in the church’s grounds is the final resting place of J.B. Priestley, and The George Inn opposite was the original vicarage. St Michael and All Angels featured in the final episode of the original BBC television series ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ as the venue for the wedding of Franco and Katharine Pedretti.
Waterfalls formed by Cray Gill between Hubberholme and Cray.
The Cray Gill valley between Stubbing Bridge and Cray is a hidden gem that features a series of lovely waterfalls.
Roughly half a mile in length, the valley’s winding path runs parallel to the B6160 road on the west side.
