028: Waterfalls of Wensleydale (Hawes, Askrigg and Aysgarth Falls) (Yorkshire Dales 2014)

YORKSHIRE DALES WALK FEATURING HAWES, HARDRAW FORCE, ASKRIGG AND AYSGARTH FALLS
"Waterfalls of Wensleydale"
Filmed 3rd and 4th September 2014
Post-production completed 9th October 2014
During my holiday in the Yorkshire Dales in September 2014 I explore the famous Wensleydale. I take a walk around Hawes, the town in which I am staying for the week, and then tour more of Wensleydale with its sweeping countryside, spectacular waterfalls and a village with a tie to a certain TV series shown back in the 1970s and 1980s.
Filmed in the Yorkshire Dales in the county of North Yorkshire featuring Wensleydale. Locations include Gayle, Hawes, Hardraw Force, Bainbridge, Askrigg and Aysgarth Falls.
Written, researched, directed, camera and sound, edited and music by Patrick Leach.
Any other names credited in this film, i.e. Bob Morgan and Martin Roy, are pseudonyms, which I used at the time of making this film. However, I no longer use these pseudonyms as I want viewers to be clear that my films are completely my own work.
Click here for a map showing the route of the locations used in the film. It is not a walking route, but it shows the route on which I travelled by both car and foot between the various locations featured in the film: osmaps.ordnanc...
"The Solitary Rambler" is my series of amateur films of my journeys in the countryside accompanied by my own musical scores, which I compose and perform on my Yamaha keyboard.
Please note that, as with all the films I make, this is not actually intended to be an extensive guide to the area. This is a mini-movie of my personal journey along the walk, in which I often share some of my own personal stories.
If you are new to my channel, I strongly recommend reading the description under the “about” tab, which will provide a clearer understanding of what to expect in my films: / solitaryrambler
There is also a short “Introduction to the Solitary Rambler” video, which briefly explains what my films are all about: / solitaryrambler
DISCLAIMER: Although I work hard to ensure all information is correct to the best of my knowledge, I am only featuring information I have found online and/or in books during my research when putting this film together, so I cannot guarantee that there are no mistakes or errors.
Many thanks and I hope you enjoy watching!
IF YOU ENJOY MY CHANNEL THEN PERHAPS YOU WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT ME:
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[@tokenspirit6140]

Thank you so much....for taking me back to Yorkshire. I grew up there and spent almost every weekend traveling in our old Armstrong Siddeley around the Dales and beyond. I swear that I likely traveled all roads I now see in videos, across the moorlands and the villages. Some days out, we occasionally came to a gate across the old road. My sister and I would ride on the 'running board,' hop off and open and close the gates. Dad would sometimes take off..... and we ran furiously to catch up. Again, thanks for making these videos of God's Country. P.S.: I think my favourite is Wensley Dale. We spent many Sundays swimming in the river at Kilnesey. Back then, there were few people in cars, but there was always a welcoming pub out there in the wild country. Dad got to know them all, from his club cycling days.

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks for watching and for all your great comments, much appreciated 👍

[@ffrancrogowski2192]

Hawes looks a lovely market town with its River Ure flowing through, Patrick. The old buildings give it a really laid back atmosphere, I'd gather, with some nice little shops within the place. The old mill at Gayle looks an impressive structure, and quite old too. Hardraw Force is amazing, whereas you had to go through the bar of the pub to access to it. It's a great sight to see without a doubt. Askrigg is another lovely village, and with it's association with the television series that you mention. Aysgarth Falls is another grand location on this video, with the water tumbling over the rocks. All in all, Patrick, the whole are is beautiful, and so many thanks for the production.

[@solitaryrambler]

Wow it was nearly 10 years now since I was staying in Hawes filming this. I can remember it was a nice place and a good base for the Yorkshire Dales. I recall Hardraw Force was a trickle when I visited, but I gather in full spate it's very impressive. That was a real novelty walking through the pub, where you had to pay at the bar to access the falls. Askrigg was another lovely village and recognised it from the 70's/80's TV series. Aysgarth Falls were amazing, would like to return one day. Thanks as always Ffranc for all your comments and for watching 👍

[@fearless5669]

As someone who lives In Hawes I find it lovely to see so many people find it such an interesting place!

[@fearless5669]

And may I say what amazing camera-work this is!

[@solitaryrambler]

Hawes is a lovely place and many thanks for your kind comments! Cheers, Patrick :)

[@ECUJNB]

We loved Hawes May ‘19 and have hoped you all have come through Covid OK.

[@kets4443]

Would you recommend living there or at least visiting? What do the people do? Currently in Batley, West Yorkshire (near Leeds)

[@enidrogerbrown9444]

I am feeling quite homesick for the dales, I am now 84 and have been coming most years to get my fix. I can still remember my 4th birthday picnicking at the water splash.

[@solitaryrambler]

👍

[@DivaCantor]

Homesick...Me too!! best place on earth!

[@lindaking9222]

Visited these places on a tour Of Yorkshire a number of years ago…dales are one of my favourite places in England

[@solitaryrambler]

The Dales are one of my favourites too. I'd go more often if they were nearer 👍

[@anndeakin1508]

Wensledale walks great walks nice cheeses and coffee shops to on a walk out in this marvellous area for walking.with family and later friends that joined me on my Pennine way walk great days.Love the waterfalls falls.and villages all with their history.Youth Hostels great way of meeting walkers and then Some life long friends. .

[@solitaryrambler]

👍

[@rachelectroDC-84]

Always love seeing Hawes, and this entire area is my absolute favorite place on earth. The food is unbelievably good, the people are so friendly and kind, the history is intense and the scenery is just pure magic. There is a feeling about the place that I can't even put into words. What I would give to be sat next to an open window in Hawes, listening to that wind wuthering across the dales. Thank you for taking me back to this magical place. A local couple we met at Semerwater said it best: "there's England, and then there's Yorkshire". 💚🐑🍃🏰🌄💚

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching :)

[@anndeakin1508]

Wensleydale revisited 9 the November 2020 love the cheese other white and blue cheeses Great with fresh bread and mixed salad.Walks with the Dales always a nice place. A favourite country on my travels around the country.The sat of waterfalls,lx. A. Place sit abc ponder today.

[@solitaryrambler]

👍

[@boondoggle6]

It is always a pleasure to join you from my armchair on yet another ramble through the beautiful scenery of England. So thank you once more , your films are greatly enhanced by the brilliant music you also provide for our enjoyment.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you too, for taking the time to watch my films, it's always a pleasure knowing that they bring enjoyment to people :)

[@enidrogerbrown9444]

Lovely walk, I spent my school holidays with my grandparents in Arkengarthdale and have visited most years from my home in Jersey.

[@solitaryrambler]

Nice one, thanks for watching 👍

[@maevefagan7123]

Another excellent video. A beautiful part of the country I visited about 10 years ago. It was lovely to see Aysgarth Falls as when I was there the water was very low. The villages are full of character with lovely cottages. I hope you return to the Dales for another video.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you Maeve. I filmed this 4 years ago now, but this remains a favourite. i made 8 other films in the Dales too. Thanks for watching :)

[@anndeakin1508]

Waterfalls are great places fo savour the beautiful landscape we have in the UK more people should go out and see more in the fresh air and enjoy.

[@solitaryrambler]

👍

[@nancyhobson9710]

The Brits have ingenuity in spades. A cotton spinning mill turned sawmill turned tourism centre. AND the countryside thereabouts is picturesque.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks, glad you liked the countryside :)

[@margaretcrosfield4559]

I've been enjoying Wensleydale for over 70 yrs..a lovely walk around all I have enjoyed but alas cannot walk it any more. Thankyuo

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you for watching :)

[@roquiague]

WOW ! Thank you for this excellent video ! It's the best I've watched on Wensleydale !

[@solitaryrambler]

You are very welcome and thank you so much too for your lovely comments! 👍

[@leeelvidge8844]

These videos you take the time to do are excellent, it certainly gives me ideas of where id like to visit next in this beautiful country.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks again Lee, making these videos are also a good way of me getting out and discovering new places too :)

[@ruthhargraves4500]

A lovely video capturing many of my favourite spots. I didn't see Hawes Junction Chapel though, a place I have sung in many times. And the rope factory where I got to try making a piece of rope which I still have today.

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks for your comments and for watching :)

[@frankfitzgerald5832]

So many different villages Patrick ,so peaceful and serene I felt the calm thru your film , I ve never been to wensleydale , but I must admit I cant hear that name without thinking of Wallace and Gromit ... always makes me smile , I once met Nick Park the creator of them in Preston ... sorry side issue there .... I ve heard of Aysgarth Falls and it truly is as beautiful as people say so thanks for sharing your film with us again ..Also Askrigg is somewhere id heard of , but I wasn't afan of All Creatures although Lee tells me she watch it during her formative years lol ,but she is twelve years younger than me , not that - that has anything to do with anything ...Were looking forward to your next film , so once again thank you Patrick ...Frank and lee .......

[@solitaryrambler]

Another of the many lovely dales in North Yorkshire. Aysgarth is certainly beautiful, a place you could just spend all day watching and listening to the water. I used to enjoy watching "All Creatures" and it's been fun trying to work out some of the locations when I've seen it more recently. Askrigg is a delightful village and I must return soon for one of those delicious pies in the Kings Arms! Thanks for watching Frank and Lee. Cheers, Patrick :-)

[@trevorwright6165]

a breath of fresh air patrick cheers from trev

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks Trev. Cheers, Patrick :)

[@johnrogers5309]

Beautiful video,.. I used to go to Hawes every year during the seventies , before moving to New Zealand ,...We stayed at a place called " Barn Cottage " ,...I doubt is still available . That was so long ago ,..but this video brought back many happy childhood memories ,.. Thankyou

[@solitaryrambler]

Pleased to know this video brought back some nice memories for you, thank you for taking the time to watch 👍

[@glennevans1374]

a very enjoyable video

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you Glenn :-)

[@alisonmoxon7519]

Fabulous.. Thank you so much.. Total escapism.. 😊

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you too for watching! 😊

[@delmiller4184]

Such a well presented video of an amazing area. I will be visiting for the first time next May. Can't wait.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you so much Del, it certainly is an amazing area. Enjoy your visit next May :)

[@nancyhobson9710]

And a guy who is doing what he enjoys making excellent videos of walking tours. Now THATS ingenuity!

[@solitaryrambler]

I enjoy very much what I do, many thanks for watching and for your lovely comments :)

[@liselesperance3455]

Congratulations on your 25th Anniversary. I love and enjoy your videos. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your land. It is very much appreciated.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you for your kind words. Nice to know you've enjoyed the videos. Cheers, Patrick :)

[@fehmiabbasi4874]

very calm and beautiful

[@solitaryrambler]

👍

[@MarksGoneWalking]

Fantastic video - visited The Dales for the first time recently for a walk in Hawes and spellbound 👍 thanks showing us some more. Great story telling BTW 👍🍺

[@levimacdonald5188]

me and my nephew went to malham cove LAST MONTH it was lovely ..

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you so much Mark, I appreciate your kind comments. Cheers, Patrick :)

[@philipcurnow7990]

Was there last week. Beautiful. This video fills in s lot of gaps. Tks

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for watching! :-)

[@SMILEVIDEOTRAINS]

Very well presented sir.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you! :)

[@nancysmith-baker3827]

Hi , I just got your channel on my phone , love your vidios , I've watched alot of vloggs of England sine covid hit , yours are the best you show alot of the land and tell us something's of the villages , really appreciate it . Was a Harriot fan too of the old series . I live in the states ,thankyou .

[@solitaryrambler]

Awesome! Thank you so much for your lovely comments and for watching! All the best to you 👍

[@anndeakin1508]

A great walk again in the Dales Wesley Dale a loverly place and landscape to woe for love walks and enjoyed the cheese I tasted here love blue bikers in cheese go give more taste to batches of fresh bread.Loved to sit eating food at the falls at rest stop on my journey in the 1980s.love to go again some day.

[@solitaryrambler]

👍

[@anndeakin1508]

Wensleydale Dale great and walk with interest the 3 falls at Aysgarth still. Gives a wonderful site to behold as water flows over the falls.

[@solitaryrambler]

👍

[@PixiesChannel12345]

Mate for 2016 this was awesome, I watched it from start to finish the waterfalls at the end were brilliant, A place I have never been to and a place I plan to go to next a huge like from me and you gained a new supporter.

[@solitaryrambler]

Glad you enjoyed it, many thanks for your kind words and for watching 👍

[@anndeakin1508]

Looked at the trip to Wensleydale agin today 30th September 2020.a beautiful part of the country and love the cheeses from Wensleydale great stuff to eat some varieties of the cheese are available too.Love your walk today thanks Patrick.

[@solitaryrambler]

👍

[@wendymcfadyen-allerby6142]

very much enjoyed thank you

[@solitaryrambler]

👍

[@msleno33]

Really enjoyed this video thank you!

[@solitaryrambler]

My pleasure and thank you too for watching and commenting! :)

[@pete7179]

This was another stunning film Patrick,they are brilliant thankyou. Beautifully composed shots,interesting places with loads of information,great music as always and a natural presenter who makes great company,lots of ideas for walks and weekends away,haven't visited any of those villages. In answer to your last question,at the beginning I noticed a signpost saying Kettlewell 15 miles,I had a week there and at nearby Buckden as a teenager and hoped throughout the film you would head that way,but the places you did visit were charming. Really enjoyed this walk with you,can't state enough the work that must go into planning and making and editing these. Thanks again. Pete.

[@solitaryrambler]

This is my favourite of the 4 Yorkshire Dales films I made back in 2014. As you say a lot of work does go into making them, and I'm proud that they are all solely my own work. Bob Morgan and Martin Roy were pseudonyms I used before now, but I don't use them now as I want people to know this is all my work. Cheers, Patrick :)

[@anndeakin1508]

Waterfalls of Wensleydale great falls donot get your feet wet today Bed and breakfast great to stay at as we move from youth Hostels when younger.Great when on long distance paths

[@solitaryrambler]

👍

[@anndeakin1508]

Wensleydale great great place love the cheese too.The falls on river a special place.Programme All Creatures. Great and Small looked at liked The area best like you Patrick.Great falls to admire not getting feet wet.

[@solitaryrambler]

👍

[@jdee4215]

excellent video well made

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you! :-)

[@ericgeorge5483]

What a wonderful upload as per usual. As a child with my Mam and Dad and two sisters, we regularly holidayed in Wensleydale; it's idyllic. I have been fortunate enough to re visit some of the astonishing places with my wife and kids, (who won't holiday with us anymore as we are too uncool, lol),. I took my wife to Askrigg last year and we stayed just opposite the church; it was fabulous. One thing I did pick up on was that 11:02 you are leaving a stretch of woodland that leads to "Mill Gill Falls" and they are delightful. Did you get to see them? I am sorry for waffling, but this fabulous video brings everything back. I love watching your walks so please keep them coming; thank you very much.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you again Eric. I don't recall Mill Gill Falls when I shot this back in 2014, so I would say that I haven't been to see them. When I'm shooting these films, it actually takes me a very long day, so I don't really have the time to visit other places during filming. Glad you enjoyed this video and thanks again for watching :)

[@ericgeorge5483]

@@solitaryrambler They are well worth a look very pretty indeed. Thanks again.

[@DivaCantor]

Lived near Mill Gill Falls for a short time, just opposite St Oswald's church- It was quite a trek to the falls. Askrigg is such a charming town- but I prefer The Crown pub- great food, real old-time feel to the pub

[@ericgeorge5483]

@@DivaCantor Which one is the Crown? Can't place it.

[@DivaCantor]

@@ericgeorge5483 Opposite end of the high street from the church- just before the big hill- good place!

[@jeffallinson8089]

I have had the pleasure of visiting Wensleydale more times than I care to remember and it is simply breathtaking. Thanks for stiring some really happy memories. I wonder if the Brass Band concerts are still held at Hardraw? The acoustics of the ravine were said to be superb. Last time I was in the dales I stayed in Askrigg at Sykes house and it was fabulous.

[@solitaryrambler]

I've only been to Wensleydale a few times, but it's certainly a lovely area. Would like to return without the camera one day and spend some time there. Thanks again :)

[@jeffallinson8089]

@@solitaryrambler You will always get a real Yorkshire welcome whenever you return!

[@tonymaries1652]

This has just been my lunchtime viewing, working from home. Hawes was my last walking destination before the pandemic lockdown. Unfortunately the weather didn't play and about midday I gave up. I do drawings from my travels and one of the town centre in Hawes is the result. I stopped using youth hostels about the same time as you did. Many of the hostels were very decrepit and run down. There was also always the possibility of the place being overrun by a large 'organised' group which monopolises the communal kitchen and more or less forces you to wait until they have finished. Which is usually mid-evening as six amateur cooks take at least three times as long to cook a meal for the whole lot of them as one person who knows what he is doing. I even got reported to the warden once and to this day I am not sure why. I had given up on the idea of cooking for myself, dived out to the local chippy and ate my haddock, chips and mushy peas out of the paper, washed down with a pint, elbowed into a corner of 'their' table.

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks for taking the time to watch :)

[@jimmyf9152]

Watching from Australia. Nice to see your Australia t shirt

[@solitaryrambler]

Cool, I still have it :)

[@kathrynbrock1558]

Modern signage but almost another world from southern UK

[@solitaryrambler]

👍

[@CountrysideWalking]

Just watched another past film from (2016) which comes up on my channel to watch. Inspiring to watch the relaxing scenes and hear the music. Have visited Wensleydade in past, and if I recall correctly was the Youth Hostel on the corner of a busy high street with no parking access? I've also walked in simpilar places in that area. Agree YH's not as comfortable as BB's. I liked the jazzy bits in piano parts of your music.

[@solitaryrambler]

Hi Shanita, yes Wensleydale is lovely. I don't recall where the YH was in Hawes to be honest, but certainly in 2015 Herriots Guest House was nice place to stay. Glad you liked the music again. I do like jazzy themes a lot and this score was my Yorkshire Dales theme. different versions of which feature in several of my Dales films. Many thanks as always for your lovely comments and for taking the time to watch. Cheers, Patrick 😀

[@DivaCantor]

There is a hostel in Aysgarth, just across from the Falls. It is on the main road through Wensleydale, the A684, just next to St. Andrew's Church

[@robinvn]

Nice video :-)

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks! :-)

[@tiname802]

Love it I'm coming arrive where£250 what no I'm not I buy a drink only not paying to see a water falls we going in September but I'm not paying to see a water falls

[@solitaryrambler]

This was 6 years ago now so maybe they don't charge now.

[@tripley66]

Well...what fun this is. I LOVE the Yorkshire Dales. I watched your intro to your videos, but could not find how many you've done of the Yorkshire Dales...or that there is a playlist of same. Is there? Good show and what fun you must have doing them. Thank you.

[@solitaryrambler]

Many thanks for taking a look at this. I have made 9 films in the Dales. If you look at my playlists they are grouped into counties, regions and National Parks, so there is one for the Yorkshire Dales. Cheers, Patrick :)

[@tripley66]

Thank you, now I've figured out the playlist system...I've be seeing you soon.

[@lynseylancaster7244]

Love the music what is it called?

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you! I don't really have a name for it, but here is a link to it on Bandcamp: patrickleach.bandcamp.com/track/waterfalls-of-wensleydale

[@blafred]

very nice presentation....i am sure that it was very time consuming making this video.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thank you! A lot of work is indeed involved, but worth it in the end when I receive great comments, many thanks :)

[@syedadeelhussain2691]

the girl at the end of the video adjacent to the waterway might be the one for you ;) Wish you happiness and get married soon.

[@solitaryrambler]

Thanks again to you Syed, lovely comments! :)

[@levimacdonald5188]

why he might not want too... he is the solitary rambler lol

[@shaunmckenna1923]

Patrick that was interesting I did not know that they filmed Skeldale House in Askrigg is that far from Thirsk and did you go there to see the real Skeldale House I believe its now a museum.

[@solitaryrambler]

Askrigg isn't close to Thirsk and i don't think I've seen the real Skeldale House 👍

[@DivaCantor]

Yes, it is the James Herriot Museum- worth a visit. Thirsk is so different from Askrigg, but of course it has changed a lot since the 1930s. Askrigg gave more of the flavour of how things were in the 1930s, Last time I was in Thirsk it was a racing day, and the traffic was awful

[@yorkiebuck]

It was a very fine youth hostel which you would have enjoyed.

[@solitaryrambler]

Shame I didn't make it there, the others in the Dales were nice though from what I can remember :)