Leathley 16/07/25 - With T and J
A circular walk taking in three hamlets near Pool in Wharfedale.
After a very unpromising start when we had to walk around 300m along the road with 60mph speed limit and no paths, the walk developed into a very pleasant walk.
Primarily the route took us through farmland, with a short section along the side of the river, passed through Riffa Woods with lunch outside the delightful church of St Mary's in Stainburn.
Only one real hill on the route, which was not particularly high but steep.
Leathley
A lovely hamlet with great views
The River Washburn was like alll the waterways around quite low.
After leaving the river the route climbed for a while up to Lindley opened some great views over the valley.
Once at the top of the hill the route to Braythorn was relatively flat. Initially walking on a single-track road and then through wheat fields.
After getting over the highest wall style I have ever seen the route continued to Braythorn. Then turning onto Church Lane we arrived at St Mary's at Stainburn
This is a lovely church, no longer used for worship, but still maintained
The gravestones were partly obscured by bracken in much of th church yard.
The inside of the church was a picture of simplicity
We then followed the path to Stainburn. After passing this cottage the path led to Riffa Woods down the side of a beck
It was a straight route through the woods.
After crossing the beck the path originally was over fields, before changing into a farm track, which then became a green lane with views of Arthington Viaduct in the distance.
The green lane then became the tarmac drive to Leathley Hall
We followed the drive to the car park.
The Leathley Circular is a charming walk, with panoramic views over the Yorkshire countryside.
