A Classic Wensleydale walk
I have just spent a few days in the northern Yorkshire Dales with my wife. We stayed at the historic Simonstone Hall, a former shooting lodge now turned into a fine hotel, which is found just above Hawes on the road to Butter Tubs and Swaledale. As usual we left the car in the car park so we could explore and enjoy the local area. On our first walk we left the hotel down the road towards Hawes and after a 100 metres on the left there is a footpath sign indicating Sedbusk half a mile. The path is virtually in a straight line through typically narrow stone stiles but reasonably flat.
Simonstone Hall
Sedbusk is a pleasant hamlet (especially on the sunny warm day we were having) and has lovely views over the valley. Taking the road down the hill in 50 metres there is a stile on the right which we took and headed diagonally over the fields, on a clear day you can see Haylands Bridge and then Hawes. Once at Haylands Bridge we made the decision to follow the Pennine Way into Hawes , have a look around and then follow the path back to Haylands Bridge. Make sure you cross the main bridge to get on the Pennine way to Hardraw which is flat and pleasant(although it is a flood plain at times).
Looking Back at Sedbusk
Hardraw is famous for its waterfall but nearly as famous for the Green Dragon pub. The two are inextricably linked as you have to walk through the pub and pay a fee to get to the waterfall, however, it is worth the money, especially when the weather has been wet as the 100 foot high fall can be spectacular. On the way back we had to go through the pub so why not enjoy one of the best pubs in the Dales?
Looking Back at Hardraw
Coming out of the pub it is a left turn and at the end of the pub there is a sign pointing up the hill to Simonstone( you actually walk through someone’s yard but don’t worry, it is official). There is a cute flagged path up to the farm house where the path splits, but we continued straight on to the front of Simonstone Hall. Without a visit to Hawes on the way the walk is about three miles but if you decide to visit Hawes on foot this extends the walk to around 5 miles.
Haylands Bridge, Hawes
Just found your blog searching for Simonstone Hall, we have done that walk several times when staying at Simonstone. The Hill back up from Hardraw is a bit of a killer at the end of a walk! We usually do it the other way round.