The Legacy of

Arthur Raistrick

Field Excursions

Thank you for registering for the Legacy of Arthur Raistrick Meeting

As part of your registration you can access the many different walks and excursions that will be held on Sunday 21st July in and around Grassington. Please read through the information for each excursion and use the links to register your choice on Eventbrite.

Although there is no additional charge for these trips donations would be welcome on the day to be given to the relevant trip lead (suggested donation of £5).

Registration closes 23:30 Thursday 18th July. You will receive further details (e.g., exact meeting place, risk assessment) for your chosen trip nearer the time.

If you have any questions please use the CONTACT US form.

The visible and the invisible in the ancient landscape north of Grassington

Trip led by Roger Martlew

(The Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society)

  • A leisurely stroll through a landscape of multi-period earthwork remains of burials, field systems and settlements in High Close. We will go beyond the exceptional visible remains to consider the results of recent geophysical and detailed topographical surveys north of High Close.

  • 2.2 miles (3.5 km)

  • 10:00am, 2.5hrs (approx.)

  • Easy walking on tracks/pasture/footpaths, couple of ladder-stiles.

  • Be prepared for typical Dales weather: full waterproofs with stout walking boots (not trainers or wellingtons). Also bring water and protection from strong sunlight.

    No dogs: there may be inquisitive cows in High Close.

Lead mining at Greenhow, Underground Visit to Gillfield Mine

Trip led by Shirley Everett & Richard Clayton

(Greenhow Local History Club)

  • Explore lead mining in the Yorkshire Dales with an underground visit to Gillfield Mine. Optional additional walk around the surface remains.

  • Approx. 800m Underground

  • 10:00am, 4hrs (approx.)

  • A climb up 2 ladders to the top level (optional but advisable to get a true picture of the scale of the workings) a reasonable level of fitness is required.

  • Wellington boots are essential as you will be walking in water. Warm clothes and old waterproofs are advisable as it is 7-8 o C underground even in summer. Helmets with lamps will be provided. Please bring a packed lunch for after the mine visit and before the surface walk.

    Due to the nature of this trip registrants must be over 18, no dogs allowed.

Excursion to the deglacial features & cave archaeology at Giggleswick Scar

Trip led by Trevor Faulkner & Tom Lord

(Yorkshire Geological Society)

  • The excursion, will visit the prominent Giggleswick Scar at the southern extremity of the Carboniferous limestone in North Yorkshire. The Scar contains relict phreatic caves whose speleogenesis is enigmatic. The excursion will examine the local geomorphological evidence for glaciation at the Last Glacial Maximum and its subsequent deglaciation and how these events have influenced the various caves and karst features. Cave archaeology will be discussed at various sites.

  • The route comprises a number of parking locations and car travel between them.

  • 10:00am, 5hrs (approx.)

  • Walking to individual sites requires steep scrambling and traversing exposed moorland and hillsides.

  • The itinerary supposes the visit group in no more than four vehicles – due to available parking at each stop – please be prepared to share car space. Bring packed lunch and adequate fluids Wear clothing and footwear adequate for scrambling.

    This trip is not suitable for children and dogs.

Arthur Raistrick's home environment

Trip led by Bernard Peel

(Yorkshire Geological Society)

  • Walk to Linton Falls, Linton village and Thorpe, return along riverside.

  • Approximately 8 km.

  • 11:00am, 3-4hrs (approx.)

  • Easy going unless it has been exceptionally wet. A few stiles.

  • Stout footwear recommended

Landscape and archaeology between Grassington and Conistone

Trip led by Robert White

(Yorkshire Dales National Park)

  • A walk visiting sites and examples of various historic environment features discussed by Raistrick in his publications including prehistoric and later field systems and trackways, earthworks of Iron Age/Romano-British and medieval settlements, A Bronze Age burial mound, post medieval domestic buildings and cow houses, lime kilns, dew ponds, stone walls and wall furniture, chop kilns earthworks and lead mining - shallow shafts and open rake working .

  • Approximately 10.5 km

  • 11:00am, 3-4hrs (approx.)

  • The route will mainly follow public right of way tracks, through improved and rough pasture, wood pasture and semi-natural ancient woodland. Mixture of surfaces including limestone cobble paths (potentially slippery in wet weather) and tussocky pasture (potential rabbit holes). Potentially wet/muddy in places.

    200m height gain Gentle gradients.

    Some stone step stiles.

  • Suitable outdoor clothing and footwear necessary.

    No shelter or facilities en-route.

    Packed lunch desirable.

Revisiting Raistrick and Conservation of the Industrial Environment

Trip led by Keith Parker

(Upper Wharfedale Field Society)

  • A walk around the lead-mining areas of Grassington Moor, illuminating Raistrick’s books with actual places on the ground; we will view remaining industrial landscape, mines water management and social history. The walk will cover Yarnbury and Grassington Moor lead fields

  • Approximately 4-5 miles. Option to have a shorter 2-3 mile walk exploring Yarnbury Lead Field only.

  • 10:00am, 2hrs (approx.)

  • Undulating moorland with only moderately steep gradients; mostly walking on well-defined trackways.

  • Wear clothing and footwear for exposed moorland.

The History of Grassington

Trip led by Phyllida Oates

(Upper Wharfedale Field Society)

  • The “History of Grassington” walk is intended to draw imagination into past centuries of life in and around the environs of Grassington, and will identify the progressive structure of the community.

  • The walk will cover around 2km.

  • 14:00pm, 2hrs (approx.)

  • Paved routes and foot paths

  • Sensible shoes to be worn.

In Raistrick’s footsteps on Malham Moor

Trip led by David Johnson

(The Yorkshire Archaeological and Historical Society)

  • Looking at archaeological sites investigated by Arthur Raistrick between Waterfoot and Broad Flats on Malham Moor.

  • approximately 5-6 km

  • 10:00am, 5hrs (approx.)

  • Moderate terrain, one steep ascent, mostly on paths and tracks.

  • Please wear appropriate clothing for being out on the moors all day, sturdy foot ware and packed lunches required.