Lady Anne Clifford’s Way – English Walking Holiday | Walking Holiday in Britain | Self Guided Walking Holiday

Lady Anne Clifford was the last in the line of the great Clifford family, who owned estates extending from Skipton in Yorkshire to Brougham in Westmorland, much of it beautiful and rugged terrain. She was born in 1590 and as the only surviving child of George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland, spent half her life fighting for her right to inherit the estates. At the age of sixty she dedicated the rest of her life to travelling between the estates repairing and restoring them. This walk links her land taking in the wild beauty of Wharfedale, Wensleydale and Mallerstang, as well as the delightful Eden Valley and Westmorland.

Grade: The route, when completed in just a week, is reasonable demanding as the daily distances are quite high. We can, however, arrange the holiday over a longer period, giving you shorter daily distances making for a more moderate grade.

Meals:
You will normally be staying in a town or village where there is at least one place to buy an evening meal. On the rare occasion that this is not possible, we will book you into an accommodation which provides an evening meal (this is not included in the holiday price). Lunches can usually be bought on route and we can advise you of the days when this is not possible. On these days you can book a packed lunch from your accommodation by letting them know the night before or we can book it for you. These usually cost about £5. Alternatively, most of the towns and villages in which you stay have shops where you can buy items to make up your own packed lunch.

When to Go:
April, May and June are when everything comes to life so it is very green, wild flowers are abundant and blossom abounds. July and August tend to be the warmest months, but it is rarely so warm as to be uncomfortable for walking or cycling. September tends to be one of the most pleasant times in the countryside and is quieter as most people with children have finished their holidays. By October the days are getting shorter and the weather is much more changeable.

Getting There:
By Air/Rail: The most convenient airports are Manchester or Leeds-Bradford.
By Rail: Skipton is easily accessible by train
Return Journey: Train from Penrith to connect with the rest the UK rail network

Day 1 Arrive in Skipton (has a railway station).

Day 2 Skipton to Grassington.
Leaving Skipton you pass Embsay and Eastby before going over Halton Edge to reach historic Barden Tower. Here you meet and follow the majestic River Wharfe through traditional Dales landscape to Grassington. ~ 15 miles

Day 3 Grassington to Buckden.
The route climbs high above the valley giving views of spectacular limestone scenery before dropping down to the delightful village of Kettlewell and continuing up the valley to Buckden. ~ 12 miles

Day 4 Buckden to Hawes.
Today's route takes you up and out of Wharfedale with lovely walking on good tracks with extensive views. You drop down into Wensleydale passing Nappa Hall before reaching Askrigg, famed for its connections with the TV series All Creatures Great and Small. Valley walking finally leads you into the small market town of Hawes. ~ 19 miles

Day 5 Hawes to Kirkby Stephen.
The walk today is one of great beauty, encompassing a high route over the fells from Wensleydale into Mallerstang, known as Lady Anne's Highway. Wild flower meadows alongside the River Ure precede the climb up Cotter End, then it's into Mallerstang and another river, the Eden. ~ 17 miles

Day 6 Kirkby Stephen to Appleby.
Following the Eden Valley you pass Brough Castle before swinging west through typically old fashioned villages and farmland with views to the hills. The day ends in Appleby, county town of Westmorland, a delightful place with its castle and market place. The almshouses built by Lady Anne are an oasis of tranquillity. ~ 17 miles

Day 7 Appleby to Penrith (has a railway station).
Today's walk is long but low level with superb views of the North Pennine hills. Delightful villages of soft red sandstone are visited which have changed little for generations. The ancient ruins of Brougham Hall are passed before reaching the magnificent ruins of Brougham Castle perched above the River Eamont. A short riverside stretch leads you to the end of the walk in the market town of Penrith. ~ 20 miles

Day 8 Departure.

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