Trev's travails: Walking in Wensleydale - Part 2

On my first full day in Leyburn I decided to visit Aysgarth Falls and then walk from there to Castle Bolton and back – around 9 miles. The first decision was how to get to Aysgarth. When I found out about the Wensleydale Vintage Bus Service, I knew I need look no further.

Three vintage buses provide a service from Ripon to Garsdale - via Masham, Leyburn, Redmire, Aysgarth Falls, and Hawes – on Tuesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Today, ”Bessie” was on duty – she is 1961 Bristol MW, ex- Eastern National, 45 seater. The other buses are “Dorothy” -a 1949 Bristol L5G, ex- United, 35 seater - and “Edith” – a 1949 Bristol L5G, ex-Lincolnshire, 35 seater.

Aysgarth Falls is Wensleydale’s unique “three for one” offer – the River Ure tumbles first over the Upper Fall then over the smaller Middle and Lower Falls as it cascades for half a mile or so through a wooded gorge.

The Falls was also the location for a major scene in the Kevin Costner film – “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves”.

Aysgarth village is to the south of the river, and its name is derived from a Viking name 'Ayks kerth' meaning a gap in the hills where oak trees grew

Leaving the Falls and the river behind, I headed toward the village of Castle Bolton – the home of Bolton Castle.

The castle was completed in 1369. It has remained in the same family for centuries. The current owner, Lord Bolton, is a direct descendant of Sir Richard Le Scrope who built it. Sir Richard was Chancellor of England to Richard II. The Castle was once a prison for Mary Queen of Scots (along with a number of other castles). It was also a Royalist stronghold in the Civil War and was involved in a six month siege

There was a falconry display in the grounds of the Castle.

I learned that when a falcon has some meat to eat it spreads its wings and tucks its head in to shield it from would-be predators.

I returned to Aysgarth along Bolton Parks ...

... down to the village of Carperby - whose name derives from Caipere, an Old Irish personal name. 'By' is the Viking word for a settlement, so the founder of this place was probably of mixed Irish-Viking origin.