extract from
Five Rambles from The Roundhouse
Burley Woodhead and York View
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Distance: 4.7 miles / 7.5 km - 2 ½ hours Terrain: Lane, track and field walking with 210 metres ascent, some steep sections and some step and squeeze stiles.
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OS Explorer 297 - Lower Wharfedale & Washburn Valley
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The Hermit, Burley Woodhead
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Alpaca on Carr Beck to Green Lane footpath
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Starting Point and OS Grid reference: The Roundhouse, Burley-in-Wharfedale (SE166464).
Car Park is at rear of Queen's Hall |
Introduction: This is a lovely varied walk taking in some of the best views in the Burley area. It also takes in a “fairy dell”, holly “tunnel” and industrial remains. It takes you via the hamlet of Burley Woodhead, with an opportunity for refreshment at The Hermit pub! The pub gets its name from a real hermit, one Job Senior, who lived in these parts in the 19th century .He was an archetypal hermit with patched clothing and trousers tied up with string but had a remarkable singing voice. He sang in local pubs and even in Leeds and Bradford theatres. He became something of a celebrity and lived to be 77. He died of cholera in 1857. Later, the pub was the local for the writer and walker, Alfred John Brown, who lived in Burley from 1928 to 1945. He wrote a number of acclaimed walking books about the Dales in the 1930s and 1940s, as well as the definitive guide to the North Yorkshire Moors national park. It is also on record that he met J.B.Priestley in the Hermit on at least one occasion! After the Hermit, the walk goes briefly via the edge of Burley Moor near to York View, so called because in good visibility, you can evidently see York Minster. There are certainly great views over Lower Wharfedale, across to Denton and Askwith moors and towards Cookridge and Guiseley. On the way down, the route passes the sites of three of Burley Woodheads’ wool and cotton scribbling and spinning mills. Iconic species like Curlews, Lapwing and Red Grouse may be seen/heard here in spring and summer as might the diminutive Meadow Pipit with its distinctive display flight and call. You should also see good numbers of the Common Heath Moth on the wing and, though unlikely, you might even come across the spectacular Emperor Moth. In late summer of course you will be treated to the wonderful sight of the heather in full flower– a real treat. There are refreshment opportunities at The Hermit pub on the outward journey and at Bleach Mill House on the return.
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