Walks
from Burley-in-Wharfedale
Scroll down to see the walks.
In 2014 and 2015, I was asked to compile some walks to
support the initiative by Burley-in-Wharfedale Walkers are
Welcome, Burley was granted Walkers Are Welcome status and added to the UK network on 24 March 2014.
The walks I prepared are indicated by the
(2014) and
(2015) signs in the table below. All start from The Roundhouse in Grange
Park,
visible from Main Street.
It seemed logical to bring all my walks
starting in Burley to the one place, so I have created this “Walks from
Burley-in-Wharfedale” page.
There are many fine walks possible from
Burley and indeed, one could spend a pleasant day using the village as a
base, enjoying lunch in one of the pubs/cafes etc and completing one walk
before lunch and another after.
If you plan any walks which involve crossing
the river Wharfe via the stepping stones, please see this information
on river levels.
Burley-in-Wharfedale (or at one time Burhleg)
has existed in some form since 972, when it was mentioned in the Saxon
Chronicles. Originally, it was a farming community and to some extent still
is but it owes its more substantial growth to the Industrial Revolution,
when the availability of water power from the River Wharfe and moorland
streams encouraged the setting up of various mills.
The largest was Greenholme Mills, which were
taken over by William Fison and William Edward Forster in 1850. Around 700
people were employed there and the village population grew to about 3,000.
The mills have now ceased but various elements of industrial archaeology
remain, not least a large part of the mill itself and the weir and goit, now
providing hydroelectricity.
Early in the 20th century, Scalebor Park
Hospital was established on Moor Lane which provided psychiatric care for
up to 200 patients, not to mention much local employment. This has now
become a housing development but the original stone buildings have been
retained.
As industry has declined, Burley has
developed into more of a commuter village, primarily serving Leeds but still
retaining a village atmosphere, although this may be affected by imposition
of a huge, unwanted housing estate by Bradford MDC which started in 2023.
Burley has a number of listed buildings.
Burley-in-Wharfedale
is readily accessible by bus and train. See public
transport details.
Scroll down to see walks from Burley-in-Wharfedale.
Before
attempting walks which involve crossing the river, please see Stepping
Stones information
If
you need to buy any hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the Hiking
Store
All information on this
site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any
damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it.
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