1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel
1. Raby Castle
Meeting Point: Raby Castle
We begin the Big Smile in the magnificent grounds of Raby Castle. We follow a broad path through the grassy landscape where Red and Fallow Deer herds live wild. We pass the impressively maintained medieval castle, built between 1367 and 1390 by John Neville, the 3rd Baron Neville de Raby.
We wander through Ladywood and then up towards Raby Home Farm and then Shotton enjoying the beautiful countryside home to some superb flora and fauna.
Eventually, we leave the Raby estate and find ourselves heading over Cockfield fell, common land pock marked with evidence of human habitation including flint arrowheads dating back to 8000BC.
We skirt around Cockfield itself and back through the estate to finish back at Raby Castle in a wonderful start to the Big Smile Walks.
Distance: 20 km ( 12.47 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: The Ramside Hall Hotel
41. Best of Bolton Abbey
Date: 16/08/2021
Meeting Point: Bolton Abbey Car Park, Skipton, BD23 6EX
We’re back into Yorkshire for this stage of The Big Smile, starting and finishing our journey at Bolton Abbey, which takes its name from the ruins of a 12th century Augustinian monastery, now known as Bolton Priory.
We cross the River Wharfe by the Priory, and follow the path along the river until we reach Lud Stream Cave. From there we head away from the river and climb up to Simon’s Seat - a rocky outcrop of millstone grit that is visible for miles around - at 485 metres.
From this high point, we drop down through shady woodland and Howgill, to pick up the river again. We head back towards Bolton Abbey on the opposite side of the Wharfe, passing by Harrison’s ford and the Cavendish Pavilion.
A wealth of historical and environmental attractions along the route make this an interesting and diverse stage of The Big Smile trek.
Distance: 18.3 km (11.37 miles)
Difficulty Rating: ★★★☆☆
Sponsored By: