Rosedale Walking Festival
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the walking festival has been cancelled for June 2020. Check back soon for details of our 2021 Festival or sign up to our mailing list (send an email to walkrosedale@outlook.com) for news. Please see below for a selection of the walks that are usually included in the festival.
Walk 1: Tea Shop Walk
Starting 10.45am on the village green. Return approx 5pm.
A seven mile easy to moderate walk with two gentle climbs from the valley bottom, incorporating not one but three tea shops!
We will start with morning coffee and a cake at the Abbey Tea Rooms and will then walk to the head of the valley for a lunch at Dale Head Tea Garden, walking back along the old railway we will return to the village for a cup of tea and a nibble at Graze on the Green.
Accompanied children over 11 years and dogs on leads welcome.
Cost £15.
Walk 2: Ale Trail
Meet 12.30 White Horse Farm Inn from 1pm departure. Approx Distance 5 Miles.
The walk will explore Rosedale’s rich heritage through the beer barrel and bar taps. Taking us back in time to the dales earliest known brewing site from medieval times, through the lively and rich social changes that came to our dale with the Iron mining boom, which shaped so much of what we can still see and enjoy today. We will start and end our walk in Rosedale Abbey’s two public houses, where you can take on refreshments, and en-route we will visit the locations of old beer houses, brewing sites and former inns. You will also hear tales of Murder, Ghosts, Illicit trade and Smuggling.
Starting at The White Horse Farm Inn where there will be time to take on some refreshment and take stock of the walk ahead from the splendid vantage point of the Inns car park, we will then head down Gill Lane through the village via the ruins of the Cistercian Priory and out along the banks of the River Severn to the hamlet of Thorgill. From Thorgill we will cross the valley and head up to Rosedale East and then up through the woods across the Knott in to the remote tranquillity of Northdale. Our route back in to Rosedale Abbey will take us along the banks of Northdale Beck, past the now closed Milburn Arms Hotel and our walk ends at The Coach House Inn.
Key locations: White Horse Farm Inn, Rosedale Priory Ruins and the Old Police House, Thorgill Beer House Site, Rosedale East, Northdale, Milburn Arms Hotel, Coach House Inn.
Max 25 People.
NOT suitable for children under 18.
Well-behaved dogs on leads welcome.
Collection taken on completion of the walk for festival funds.
Walk 3: Exploring Rosedale's wildlife habitats
Starting at 10.45am at the village green under the large tree and returning at approx 4.00pm. Led by Rosedale’s Updale Natural History Recorder.
A steady walk from the village heading northwest through the valley to Thorgill on the west side and up on to the moor exploring varied habitat and recording wildlife encountered along the way. Plenty of time to spot and discuss wildlife. One long steep climb on to the moor but with plenty of stops. Returning via Medds Farm and bridleway.
OS Outdoor Leisure 26 1:25,000, grid reference SE724 958.
Parking in the village.
Approximately 5 miles/8 kms and 6 hours duration as the walk will progress at a very steady pace. At least one steep climb on edge of moor track. Some rough track on moor.
Bring packed lunch and plenty of water in hot weather.
Binoculars will enhance your enjoyment and cameras welcome.
Good footwear essential. Waterproofs in inclement weather.
No dogs please. Accompanied children over 12.
A collection will be taken up after the walk for Festival Funds.
Walk 4: A Walk In The Land of Iron and The Cold War
Starting at 1.30pm from the car park of the White Horse Farm Inn, Rosedale Abbey (OS Outdoor Leisure 26 1:25,000 SW Sheet SE 724955) returning at around 5.00pm. Led by The Rosedale History Society, with seldom seen photos and other archive material.
We follow the track from the car park, passed Newlands Farm and the 'disappeared' houses of Low Row and then across fields up to the site of the Kitchin and Garbutt ironstone deposits where Rosedale's ironstone mining Klondike first started in 1853. We will then climb the spur between the two mine sites up onto the heather moorland and head for Aine Howe Cross where we will draw breath and take in the magnificent scenery of the moors. Then we follow the old pilgrim route towards Bank Top where we investigate the Rosedale's Cold War nuclear monitoring bunker before moving across the road to see the remains of the ironstone roasting kilns and the railway cottages. Then we will drop down the hill through a forest path, cross Rosedale's golf course at Red House and then return to the White Horse for some welcome refreshment.
Approximately 3.5 miles with a couple of steep ascents and styles to negotiate. Proper walking boots and waterproofs are essential, and the wearing of shorts is discouraged because of the risk of mites on the heather and undergrowth. And don't forget to bring your camera!
Accompanied children over 11 years of age and dogs on leads are welcome.
Cost £4 per adult, children free.
Walk 5: In search of Andy Goldsworthy
Meet at the Milburn Arms for 10.45-11am departure returning between 3-4pm. Led by Kate Jones.
Long slow amble up Northdale to visit four Sculptures. A couple of short, sharp hills, but with plently of opportunities to stop and enjoy the view.
Camera’s and sketch books welcome as time will be taken to enjoy the landscape.
Good footwear essential.
Dogs welcome on leads.
Not suitable for children under 14.
A collection will be taken up after the walk for Festival Funds.
Walk 6: Nordic Walking
Meet at Chimney Bank car park at 9.45am where poles will be measured and allocated. Walk led by Nordic Walking Instructor Jill Allen.
This walk will be for those new to Nordic Walking and wanting to learn the technique and benefits of this more challenging method of walking with poles.
The training will take place along the Blakey Ridge track lasting 1hr to 1.5 hrs. Returning to the cars at 11.30am. All elements of the correct Nordic Walking technique and other exercise activities with poles will be explained fully.
This will be an informal and fun session.
An average level of fitness will be required.
Not suitable for children under 12 yrs.
No dogs.
Nordic poles will be provided for the session.
Comfortable footwear (eg. trainers) would be better than walking boots for this session.
Maximum number of participants is 12.
Cost £5 per person including pole hire.
