The sign Board at the car park tells of the hours of voluntary labour that has gone into improving the area for walkers.

[Perhaps The Friends or the Council could invest just a little in renewing the notices to make them little more readable.]

This is a grit stone area, which in the past had been used for quarrying stone for buildings and presumably roads.

I passed this old quarry face as I climbed up from the car park towards the summit of Beacon Hill.

Looking south east (into the sun) I could see Leeds Bradford airport airport, and the runway just a few miles away.

Despite waiting a short while, no other planes would arrive or leave and thereby add extra interest to my photo.

A panoramic view down over Wharfdale as the dark shadow of the rain cloud passes over the town of Otley below.

A re-build of the wall included this sheltered circular seat, dedicated to the memory of a certain Keith Willis who died in 2020.

The Chevin forms the southern boundary of Wharfedale . . . so this was the view to the north and east.

Click here or on the photo above for a larger annotated panorama.

A detailed information board tells of the geological history of the valley, how and when the various rocks were laid down.

Subsequent evolution tilted the rock strata to create hard grit stone edges, with the rivers scooping out the softer strata that had become exposed below.

The Chevin is not as dramatic as some of the Peak District Edges, but is still a fine ridge and viewpoint.

Looking down on the town of Otley . . . it's about time I turned around and collected Loes from her appointment in town.

Back along the ridgeway path . . . complete with numerous memorial chairs and several of these numbered, sculptured rocks.

A viewpoint pillar outlining the scenery, the landscape and townscape below.

Returning to the car, avoiding the small climb to Beacon Hill, I passed through the quarry.

Here the quarry floor has developed a natural pool and it looks like a wheelchair friendly viewing platform has been constructed,

so as to enjoy the wetland plants and the animal that must visit the area.

- - - o o o - - -

Next day the weather wasn't quite as good, so we visited a friend in Ilkely and afterwards enjoyed lunch at the Cow and Calf.

A brief walk for myself and Dougal, up towards the famous rocks.

Plenty of people and plenty of parked cars at the cafe below.

My brother arrived home from his European holiday yesterday (without my knowledge) so he missed out on an invite to the Pub.

Later he did answer his phone so we were able to visit him and Elaine less than a mile away and chatted holidays over a cup of tea.

- - - o o o - - -

The Muddy Boots Cafe at the north Entrance to The Harewood Estate . . . Parking is meant for hall and cafe users so park respectfully please.

I didn't need to worry about parking because Loes still owns her own house just around the corner.

We walk the back lane, with the Harewood Village houses on one side and the estate wall the other.

A public footpath leads north through a gap, down the slope towards the River Wharf and the main road below.

The footpath re-emerges next to an old moat and wall.

I climb up back into the woods and find the old track to the now ruined castle.

Despite its poor condition it still has a grandeur about it.

By 1657 when the newer Harewood and Gawthorpe Estate was established and the new house built, the old castle was already looking worse for wear.

Some of its former grandeur was captured in this 1798 painting by the famous artist, William Turner.

In the olden days it would have had a panoramic view of the Wharf Valley

but the years have passed and the woodland grown and it now it lies hidden deep in the trees.