St. Oswald’s Church at Bolton Castle

St Oswald’s Church stands adjacent to Bolton Castle and dates to the early fourteenth century although carved stones built into the tower may indicate an earlier twelfth century structure. That the church was built before the castle is clear from the little sundial in the south wall, where the noonday sun can never reach it.

Oswald Church at Castle Bolton

Bolton Castle on a Hill

The 14th-century fortress Bolton Castle in Yorkshire, England is, incredibly, still owned by the barons Bolton, who built the castle. It has never been sold and has always been inherited by descendants of the Scrope family, who were powerful and enjoyed roles at the royal court over several generations. Sitting on top of a hill, it’s still a perfect storybook castle – with restored medieval gardens offering a spectacular view.

Castle Bolton on a Hill
Castle Bolton Gardens

Bolton Castle, Yorkshire

Bolton Castle is one of the best preserved medieval castles in the country and dominates Wensleydale with its commanding presence. The castle was built by Sir Richard le Scrope who was Lord Chancellor of England during the reign of Richard II, and is still owned by a direct descendent Lord Bolton. Construction of the castle began in 1378 and took around 18 years to build. It was designed as a fortified residence rather than being simply a military base.

Castle Bolton

Beauty of Yorkshire Dales

The Yorkshire Dales, England is home to outstanding scenery, great castles, abbeys and a breathtakingly peaceful atmosphere. Each of the Yorkshire Dales has a different character. The Southern Dales are less remote, yet still wildly beautiful. The Northern Dales provide wild heather moorland and valleys full of hay meadows, dry stone walls and barns. And in the West, the pretty villages and small towns each have their own charm.

Farmland in Yorkshire Dales
Cattle Resting in Yorkshire Dales
Yorkshire Dales Landscape

Upper Level Asygarth Falls

The Asygarth Falls were created when meltwater from the Ice-Age that had been held back by a terminal moraine, spilled down over the area and eroded the boulder clay and into the bedrock limestone underneath. The falls drop 200 feet (61 m) over a half-mile section of the River Ure. Here are some views of the Upper Asygarth Falls.

Waterflow at Asygarth Falls Upper Level
Flowing Water at Asygarth Falls

Middle Level Asygarth Falls

The three stepped waterfalls at Aysgarth have been a tourist attraction for over 200 years. More recently they provided a dramatic setting for a scene from the Hollywood movie Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. A viewing spot gets you closer to the Middle Asygarth Falls.

Viewspot at Asygarth Falls Middle Level
Waterflow at Asygarth Falls Middle Level
Asygarth Falls Middle Level

Lower Level Asygarth Falls

Aysgarth Falls is actually a series of three main waterfalls, which the signs referred to them as Upper, Middle, and Lower. Rather than being dramatic drops over a cliff, these waterfalls are really more like cascades that might be friendly for photography enthusiasts. The Lower Falls offer a place to walk on the rocks along the river and view the River Ure flowing downstream.

Water Staircase at Asygarth Falls Lower Level
River Ure Downstream from Asygarth Falls

Asygarth Falls in Yorkshire Dales

Aysgarth Falls are a triple flight of waterfalls, surrounded by woodland and farmland, carved out by the River Ure over an almost one-mile stretch on its descent to mid-Wensleydale in the Yorkshire Dales of England, near the village of Aysgarth. A rustic stone bridge over River Ure is reminiscent of olden days. We will post over the coming days various views of these falls.

Framing Asygarth Falls
Asygarth Falls Upper Level
Stone Bridge over River Ube

Parkhouse Hill

Parkhouse Hill is a small but distinctive hill in the Peak District National Park, England. Parkhouse Hill stands at a height of 360 meters above sea level, and has two reasonably steep routes leading to the summit – so it’s not for the faint-hearted. The colorful car against the green Parkhouse Hill makes quite a contrast.

Sheep at Parkhouse Hill
Colorful Car at Parkhouse Hill

Peak District Countryside

The Peak District countryside is in fact, a veritable microcosm of England’s green and very pleasant land. From the lush pastoral meadows and gently rolling hills of Ashbourne at the southern gateway of the White Peak, to the high windswept peat bogs and grouse moors of Kinder Scout in the bleak and mountainous `Curlew Country’ of the Dark Peak, the sheer beauty and diverse nature of the landscape is breathtaking – which is one reason why this increasingly popular region of England continues to attract more visitors annually that any other region of comparable size.

Peak District Countryside

Peak District Farmland

Not known for its arable farming, The Peak District’s (in England) farmsteads and landscapes reveal a long history of mostly pastoral farming, for the rearing of livestock (growing crops such as hay and silage) and the supply of dairy produce, meat and wool for surrounding markets. The farmed area is 82% in the Peak District.

Peak District Farmland