Wetherby Whaler | Saturday 20 November 2021
Walk Leader: | Lynn Hathaway |
Participants: | 13 |
Mileage: | 18 generous miles (20.5?) |
Ascent: | 1,380ft |
Walk Report: | Lynn Hathaway |
Weather: | Mild throughout and sunshine during the middle of the day |
Walk started from the site of Wetherby Station, closed in January 1964 by Beeching, and followed the River Wharfe to Collingham where we climbed up to Compton stables, and then followed ancient green lanes to Thorner via West Woods, Wothersome Woods and Milner Wood. After Thorner, we lunched in a sheltered, peaceful, very sunny spot in the beautiful Bramham Park estate, Bramham House was built in 1697 by Robert Benson who became Lord Bingley and has been home to the Lane Fox family since 1710. Following tracks and small paths we arrived in Boston Spa, passing the old Spa Houses by the river, where the sky turned ominously black, following the old railway line between Wetherby & Thorpe Arch we managed to arrive safely back in Wetherby without getting too wet and just before dark. (Thorpe Arch estate was an Ordnance Factory during the second world war and employed over 18,000 workers).
Thank you to everyone who came; I had walkers from Stokesley, Thirsk, York, Scunthorpe, Selby & Harrogate, I have now thrown away my stretchy piece of string that measures "Bramham miles" for a more reliable piece!
Lynn