Summer in Yorkshire, UK 2022

We'd planned to visit our son and his family in Ackworth, Yorkshire, UK, in 2020, but the trip was cancelled due to the pandemic. Now that we can travel, we are staying in England for the summer. Read more

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Day 53
Friday, July 15, 2022 at 2:25 PM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 436 ft
England Harrogate 53.991054, -1.53074153°59’28” N 1°31’51” W
Harrogate's Healing Waters
July 15, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
Harrogate is England's famous spa town, with over 100 springs supplying different types of mineral water. The first one was discovered in 1571, when Harrogate was just a small village, and soon visitors started coming to drink the waters.

It was the sulphur well that drew the wealthy and made Harrogate famous especially in the 1800s. Many hotels, some with their own spas, were built for people to stay for weeks while taking the waters. A hospital was built to allow poor people to stay and take the waters.

In 1841 The Old Sulphur Well was topped by an elegant octagonal building, the Royal Pump House, where the water was pumped and served in glasses for a fee. Outside the building was a tap where the poor could help themselves for free.

Valley Gardens has at least 35 wells with different mineral content, making it the highest concentration of varying springs in the world. Both here and in other parts of the city there were other pump houses, and as more and more people came, bigger pump houses were built.

The waters were used to treat many conditions, from scurvy and gout to epilepsy and skin ailments. Recent tests by the EU now prevent the water from being served.Read more
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Day 53
Friday, July 15, 2022 at 3:43 PM
⛅ 68 °F
Altitude: 371 ft
England Harrogate Railway Station 53.992669, -1.54035453°59’34” N 1°32’25” W
Victorian Spas and Treatments
July 15, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
During the Victorian era going to the spa towns were very popular, so there were many spas and spa hotels to serve the people who came. The Royal Baths opened in 1897, and were patronized by royalty, including some from Russia. In addition to drinking the various waters, many types of hydrotherapy were available, and doctors were on staff to prescribe treatments.

With the advent of the National Health Service, "taking the waters" fell out of favor, and many spas closed in the 1950s and 60s. The Turkish Baths were part of the Royal Baths complex, and have been refurbished. They are once again very popular, and not just to the royals!Read more
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Day 54
Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 11:40 AM
⛅ 66 °F
Altitude: 404 ft
England Harrogate Railway Station 53.991739, -1.53693253°59’30” N 1°32’13” W
Valley Gardens: For Between Treatments
July 16, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
A "cure" would take about 3 weeks, or longer. The schedule of treatments for the wealthy was prescribed by the spa doctor. Patrons rose around 7:00. Two or three glasses of mineral water are sipped before breakfast and lunch, and sometimes before dinner. While drinking the water, people socialize and walk through the gardens listening to the band. Between treatments, they might read the paper, write letters, have a heated mineral bath, shop, go for a drive or bicycle ride, or get some exercise in the park. They would take afternoon tea in the garden while listening to music. After dinner there might be a concert or a play. Then bedtime at 10:00.

These gardens are a delight today as well!Read more
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Day 54
Saturday, July 16, 2022 at 4:40 PM
⛅ 75 °F
Altitude: 410 ft
England Harrogate 53.990817, -1.54703253°59’27” N 1°32’49” W
Harrogate Expands and Develops
July 16, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 75 °F
Harrogate still attracts lots of visitors. Many do use the two remaining spas for steam treatments, massages, manicures, etc. The concert hall was formerly named Kursaal, but during WWI that German name was changed to Royal Hall. There is lots of shopping, restaurants, tea shops, gorgeous architecture, and of course the gardens. The Yorkshire Dales National Park is close, for exploring and hiking. One could spend a lot of time here!

Our housesit is only about 1 mile from the town center, easily walkable, except for all the hills! For all this, we are taking care of two loving cats. A pretty good deal!Read more
What a time your having. Sure enjoy traveling along. Like the new cats. [Linda Houk]
7/21/22Reply
TravelerWhat a beautiful place! Have you had time for a massage and tea there? Fun! Sherri C
7/21/22Reply
TravelerHa ha! Too expensive!
7/21/22Reply
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Day 55
Sunday, July 17, 2022 at 11:30 AM
☁️ 73 °F
Altitude: 121 ft
England River Laver 54.136217, -1.52380154°8’10” N 1°31’26” W
Cathedral of St Peter and St Wilfrid
July 17, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 73 °F
Ripon is a small city dominated by the Cathedral. The front of the cathedral is an one of the best examples of early English Gothic architecture, dating from 1220.

Inside, the screen separating the nave from the chancel, is brightly painted--which is unusual. The pulpit is also unique, made of brass.Read more
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Day 56
Monday, July 18, 2022 at 11:30 AM
⛅ 73 °F
Altitude: 876 ft
England Hawes 54.303505, -2.19948254°18’13” N 2°11’58” W
Yorkshire Dales National Park
July 18, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 73 °F
This beautiful area of moorland and fells (hills) of limestone and sandstone was carved by glaciers and rivers, making picturesque dales (local name for valleys).

There are more than 20 dales in the national park. Each dale is usually named after the river that flows through it: Arkengarthdale, Ribblesdale, Swaledale, Warfedale, etc.

There are beautiful views everywhere you look. The pastoral landscape of intricate dry-stone walls and field barns was created over centuries of livestock farming. Picturesque stone farms, bridges, villages and towns are sheltered in the dales. Almost all the roads are lined with stone walls, making it precarious when the roads are narrow and winding.

This is Wensleydale, the first dale we explored so far. I felt bad that Dean didn't see much of it, just the road in front of him. There are very few if any pull-outs.Read more
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Day 56
Monday, July 18, 2022 at 1:09 PM
⛅ 79 °F
Altitude: 787 ft
England Hawes 54.304064, -2.19527954°18’15” N 2°11’43” W
Hawes, Home of Wensleydale Cheese
July 18, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F
We stopped in the Market Village of Hawes to see where the Yorkshire's most famous cheese is made. It is a mild, crumbly style of cheese. We tasted several kinds, and bought some with dried cranberries. We also learned that fruitcake and cheese are eaten together here. That combination of sweet and salt --- mmm!Read more
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Day 58
Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 11:00 AM
☁️ 70 °F
Altitude: 607 ft
England Grassington 54.06883, -1.9945554°4’8” N 1°59’40” W
All Creatures Great and Small Location
July 20, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
As fans of PBS's "All Creatures Great and Small", we went to Grassington, which is the filming location as the fictitious village of Darrowby. Although there were many modern-day cars in the town square, some of it did look familiar.

Grassington, in Warfedale, is a traditional market village with cobblestone streets dotted by stone shops, churches, and the Town Hall. A few businesses have taken on the name of Darrowby.Read more
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Day 58
Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 12:08 PM
☁️ 72 °F
Altitude: 522 ft
England Grassington 54.068326, -2.00366254°4’6” N 2°0’13” W
A Walk Along the River Warfe
July 20, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F
Grassington has a nice walking path along the river, with scenic views of the Warfedale countryside. Swaledale sheep with their white wool, black faces and curly horns, are the symbol of Yorkshire Dales National Park.Read more
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Day 58
Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 1:39 PM
☁️ 68 °F
Altitude: 755 ft
England Cracoe 54.026863, -2.03641954°1’37” N 2°2’11” W
The Land of Stone Walls
July 20, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
People have always used the materials nearest to where they live to develop their lifestyles. Dry stone walls are made without mortar. The experienced builder looks at the rocks and uses them in the right places for strength, balance, and appearance. They are proud of their ability to judge by eye and never pick up the same stone twice!Read more
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Day 59
Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 12:02 PM
☁️ 61 °F
Altitude: 863 ft
England Low Laithe 54.078295, -1.67761854°4’42” N 1°40’39” W
Brimham Rocks National Trust
July 21, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F
These giant rock formations have interesting shapes and many have been named. The panoramic views are beautiful, which is why it is called an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

There was a large school group visiting, and they wore helmets so they were probably learning climbing skills.Read more
TravelerLooks like an interesting place! You are seeing many beautiful/interesting places. 🥰
7/26/22Reply
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Day 59
Thursday, July 21, 2022 at 12:30 PM
☁️ 63 °F
Altitude: 371 ft
England Pateley Bridge 54.087091, -1.7596454°5’14” N 1°45’35” W
Pateley Bridge in Nidderdale
July 21, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F
Pateley Bridge is a small market town with many old shops, including the world's oldest sweet shop (according to the Guinness Book of World Records). It is in a 1661 building, and has been continuously operating as a sweet shop since 1827. The last owner had it for 25 years, and sold it in March, 2021 to Ben, age 24. We had trouble picking something out, as there are so many choices. Finally we decided, Ben weighed them out, and put them in traditional striped paper bags. It was fun and the toffees were good.Read more
Wow I get tired just watching your travels. You guys sure get around . What a travel book you will have! [Linda Houk]
7/28/22Reply
TravelerSome days we do a lot, and others the most we do is go to the grocery store and maybe wash a load of clothes, just like at home! We read a lot too! I just finished a fiction book that takes place in this area of the country, which was fun.
7/29/22Reply
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Day 60
Friday, July 22, 2022 at 11:00 AM
☁️ 57 °F
Altitude: 666 ft
England Stainforth 54.110076, -2.28464854°6’36” N 2°17’5” W
Ribblehead Viaduct: An Engineering Feat
July 22, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
Ribblehead Viaduct is named after the origin of the River Ribble in the nearby mountains. It's on the remote Settle-Carlisle Railroad. The original railroad had been built to connect London with Scotland. Due to the mountainous terrain of Ribblesdale, many viaducts and tunnels were built.

Ribblehead Viaduct was opened in 1875, taking 5 years to build. It has 24 arches, and is 100 feet high and 1300 feet long. The 1500 workers and their families, lived in construction camps alongside the work area. In addition to the quarries, brick works, and railyard, there were a post office, stores, schools, a library, chapels, a small hospital, and temperance hall, When a job was completed, they would move to the next site.Read more
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Day 60
Friday, July 22, 2022 at 3:00 PM
🌧 61 °F
Altitude: 390 ft
England Skipton Castle 53.962959, -2.01530253°57’47” N 2°0’55” W
Skipton: Castle, Canals, and a Church
July 22, 2022 in England ⋅ 🌧 61 °F
This 900-year-old castle with its burly towers is one of the best preserved medieval castles in England.

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is 127 miles long, and passes through Skipton. It is the longest canal in Britain. It was used for transporting goods until the 1980s, longer than most canals.

Holy Trinity Church of England was built in the 1300s, and added onto in the 1400s. It has some beautiful stained glass and carvings.

The last picture is from a road on our way back "home". The names of towns on the sign made me giggle!Read more
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Day 61
Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 9:30 PM
☁️ 68 °F
Altitude: 151 ft
England Wakefield 53.682954, -1.49672953°40’59” N 1°29’48” W
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Wakefield Housesit & 33rd Anniversary
July 23, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
We are staying in Wakefield with Spud, an affectionate black male cat, for 3 1/2 weeks while the owners are on holiday in Southern France.

The first day we just washed several loads of clothes, did some grocery shopping, read, and rested. Today Dean fixed a faucet and we had our son and his family over for our anniversary dinner. Nathaniel fell in love with a unicorn!Read more
Flyer533 happy grampa
7/30/22Reply
Flyer533looks like a well earned rest with a friend
7/30/22Reply
Happy Anniversary [Linda Houk]
7/31/22Reply
TravelerThank you!
7/31/22Reply
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Day 63
Monday, July 25, 2022 at 1:30 PM
⛅ 70 °F
Altitude: 135 ft
England Sandal Castle 53.658724, -1.49079553°39’31” N 1°29’27” W
Wakefield: Sandal Castle Ruins
July 25, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F
I went for a walk to the Sandal Castle Ruins. It was another motte-and-bailey castle converted from wood and earthworks to stone. It was well-fortified with an outer motte and an inner one, a gatehouse and a drawbridge. It has a similar story as the Pontefract castle: it was under siege three times during the 1600s Civil War, and was destroyed to keep it from happening again. But before that the Wars of the Roses happened in the mid 1400s. This war was so named because the rivals for the throne each had a rose emblem--the house of York had the white rose, and the house of Lancaster had a red rose. In the Battle of Wakefield, Richard the Third was killed, becoming the last English king to die in battle. This was the subject matter of Shakespeare's play, "Henry VI, Part 1".Read more
TravelerThis is very interesting! I remember learning about the War of the Roses. Are you getting to see your grandson often? Monsoon season in Arizona. Everything seems OK in SV.
7/30/22Reply
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Day 64
Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 12:00 PM
⛅ 63 °F
Altitude: 125 ft
England Wakefield 53.685621, -1.48950953°41’8” N 1°29’22” W
The Tallest Spire in Yorkshire
July 26, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
Wakefield Cathedral's spire is 247 feet tall, It was the first church in England to have 14 bells in its tower.

Inside, the cathedral is beautiful and well-maintained.

On the outside of the tower is a peregrine falcon nest box. The pair of peregrines have hatched 26 chicks over the past 6 years. Peregrines like cathedrals because of their similarity to cliffs, and because of a ready supply of pigeons for their food.Read more
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Day 64
Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at 1:00 PM
⛅ 63 °F
Altitude: 128 ft
England Wakefield Westgate Railway Station 53.683259, -1.50531253°40’60” N 1°30’19” W
Lunchtime Concert in the Cathedral
July 26, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
On Tuesdays are the free lunchtime concerts. We heard Saxophonie, a sax quartet, who were really enjoyable! Their mission is to showcase the versatility of the saxophone, and they achieved this! We liked listening to some classical, some Gershwin, a 1930s night club piece, and the William Tell overture with a medley of other pieces mixed in.Read more
TravelerFabulous, and what a setting! SC
8/4/22Reply
TravelerYes!
8/5/22Reply
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Day 73
Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 8:02 AM
⛅ 59 °F
Altitude: 118 ft
England Low Ackworth 53.650367, -1.32890353°39’1” N 1°19’44” W
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A DIY Day With Nathaniel
August 4, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
We spent the day fixing some things for Jacob and Jodie, and at the same time enjoying our grandson! He likes to help!
He is off to a good start learning from grandpa. Be glad he wants to help. [Del & Nancy]
8/10/22Reply
A real cutie [Linda H]
8/10/22Reply
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Day 75
Saturday, August 6, 2022 at 11:00 AM
⛅ 63 °F
Altitude: 82 ft
England Flanshaw 53.684125, -1.51290953°41’3” N 1°30’46” W
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Chantry Chapel of St Mary the Virgin
August 6, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
This Wakefield landmark is one of only 4 surviving bridge chapels in England. They are sometimes built at one end of the bridge, but often they are an important part of the structural support, as this one is. It was built in 1356, restored in 1842 and again more recently.

In medieval times bridge chapels were used to minister to the spiritual needs of travelers passing over the bridge. Many were established as chantries, employing a priest to say masses for passers by and for the repose of the souls of the bridge's benefactors.Read more
TravelerInteresting as I have never heard of bridge chapels. SC 🥰
8/10/22Reply
TravelerWe had heard of them on previous trips here, but didn't know about the background until we went to this one.
8/10/22Reply
Always interesting finds [Linda H]
8/10/22Reply
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Day 77
Monday, August 8, 2022 at 11:02 AM
⛅ 68 °F
Altitude: 200 ft
England Bingley 53.85326, -1.84009453°51’12” N 1°50’24” W
Bingley Five-Rise Locks
August 8, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F
At 127 miles, the Leeds and Liverpool canal is the longest canal in the country, There are 91 locks along the canal. These are the steepest staircase locks on the canal, raising and lowering boats 60 feet. This canal was built to connect with the Aire and Calder River, to make a waterway across England, East to West.Read more
TravelerWhat a beautiful area! Would love to walk along the canal! This is certainly far different than the locks we are use to here on the Mississippi! SC
8/17/22Reply
TravelerAnd much older!
8/18/22Reply
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Day 77
Monday, August 8, 2022 at 1:00 PM
⛅ 72 °F
Altitude: 233 ft
England Shipley 53.83594, -1.7740553°50’9” N 1°46’27” W
Saltaire: An Industrial Village
August 8, 2022 in England ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F
Saltaire, a World Heritage site, is a complete and well-preserved industrial village of the second half of the 19th century. It is named after Sir Titus Salt, who built the huge textile mill and village on the Aire River. It was designed to house the mill workers in a healthier climate than in the polluted and unsanitary conditions of the city.

Saltaire's harmonious buildings are all Italianate in design, each home having a water supply and sanitary facilities. The village was self-sufficient with shops, churches, and almshouses for the elderly. The big park along the river was to encourage healthy activities, now that workers had Saturday afternoons and Sundays off. There were no pubs.

Due to the success of this village, other industrial villages around England were built following this pattern.

Salt's Mill now houses artist studios, shops, and restaurants.Read more
TravelerSeems like a very fortuitous enterprise for its’ time.
8/17/22Reply
TravelerHe was a man who really cared about his employees.
8/18/22Reply
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Day 81
Friday, August 12, 2022 at 1:30 PM
☀️ 82 °F
Altitude: 430 ft
England Middlestown 53.647162, -1.60673453°38’50” N 1°36’24” W
National Coal Mining Museum of England
August 12, 2022 in England ⋅ ☀️ 82 °F
The National Coal Mining Museum is on the site of Caphouse Colliery (the name for the mine and associated buildings) which was worked from the 1700s until it closed in 1985. It reopened as a museum in 1988, to tell the story of coal mining in England, which actually began as surface mining in the 1400s.

We went down the 460 ft. mineshaft the underground tour. It was very sobering to hear of the difficult working conditions that whole families experienced during 1800s. Men would do the mining, often while kneeling or side-lying. Women and older children would pull and push the carts of coal. When they signaled, young children waiting in the dark outside the trap door would open the door to allow the cart to be pushed through into the larger tunnel.

In 1842, Parliament passed a law against underground work for boys under age 10 and women of any age. After the law was passed, ponies and horses were used for that work.Read more
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Day 81
Friday, August 12, 2022 at 3:00 PM
☀️ 86 °F
Altitude: 223 ft
Wales Overton 52.972114, -2.93309752°58’20” N 2°55’59” W
The Colliery's Pithead Baths
August 12, 2022 in Wales ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F
Until 1938, miners at Caphouse Colliery had to go home from their shift covered with coal dust. Once the Pithead Baths were available, miners would come to work, leave their home clothes in the clean lockers, and pick up their towel and soap. Then they go to the dirty locker and change into their work clothes and boots. At the end of the day they leave their dirty, damp clothes and boots in the dirty locker, where warm air is pumped through to dry them overnight. Then they shower and change into their home clothes again. It made a huge difference to their welfare, and kept the coal dust out of their homes.Read more
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Day 87
Thursday, August 18, 2022 at 1:42 PM
☁️ 68 °F
Altitude: 443 ft
England Halifax 53.726444, -1.85952153°43’35” N 1°51’34” W
Halifax: Cloth-Making Center
August 18, 2022 in England ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F
Halifax has a long history of cloth-making. The hilly land around Halifax was unsuitable for farming except for grazing sheep. For extra income, farmers would spin wool and weave the cloth on home looms.

Clothiers paid the carders (children), spinners (women,) and weavers (men), who would usually be able to make one 30 yard "piece" of wool per week. Then the clothiers would sell the cloth at the Piece Hall, a huge building built in 1779, with 315 trading rooms.

Every Saturday, the bell would ring at the beginning and end of the 2-hour market time. Anyone caught trading outside of the 2 hour time period was fined. The rest of the week the building was locked and guarded, because cloth was so valuable--depending on quality, £2-6 per piece. In comparison, you could buy 320 sausages, 240 pints of beer, or 3 pairs of good shoes for £2.

By the 1830s, mill production of cloth make the Piece Hall obsolete for the original purpose, and it became a public market hall. Now it is composed of many specialty shops, restaurants, and other businesses, and the courtyard is used for music events and festivals.

The rest of the town center has some beautiful architecture, illustrating the wealth of the area.Read more
TravelerWhat a beautiful building and interesting history! Thanks, Linda & Dean! SC 🥰
8/22/22Reply
TravelerThanks for your interest in our blog!
8/23/22Reply
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