Stainforth
Population:260 Est.Information Site:
Click HereGrid Ref:SD8267Distance:18 miles drive from SkiptonDirections:Head North for Settle on theA65 and then branch off right on the B6479 Car Parking:Large parking areaFacilities: Pub : Walks : Caravan and Camp Site : Clean ToiletsNearby Interest:Waterfall : Bridge : Kiln :
Hoffman KilnChurch:St Peters : TowerCragFace Walk:
Lancliffe to Stainforth
Stainforth is tucked out of the way, but has lots of interest in the surrounding area. It's name derives from the 'stony ford' which linked two settlements half a mile apart on opposite banks of the Ribble north of Settle.
In the 1670s, Samuel Watson replaced the ford by a packhorse bridge (now National Trust) whose graceful arch spans an attractively wooded stretch of the river, and a grassy path The packhorse bridge connecting Great Stainforth and Little Stainforth leads downstream to Stainforth Force, where the river falls over limestone ledges into a deep, broad pool.
In the village grey stone cottages centre on a rough green by Cowside Beck, and spanned by a little clapper bridge. Goat Scar Lane is a stony track leading to Catrigg Force on Stainforth Beck about a mile away.
The Settle-Carlisle Railway runs through here, and one of the best preserved limestone kilns stands nearby.
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We had no idea we were so close to all of this.
It deserves another visit.
Some of these places are beyond description.
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