Leaving behind the hustle of work and school, we embarked on a journey to the north, continuing our quest to explore the charm of hostels during the winter months. This particular adventure led us to Grinton Shooting Lodge, a gem nestled above the a valley on the edge of the moors in the Yorkshire Dales, for a weekend promising a blend of history and natural beauty.
With the evening stars in full force, the Grinton Shooting Lodge welcomed us with open arms, its friendly staff making us feel right at home from the moment we stepped in. Settling in was easy, with a quick brew in hand, as we lounged in the communal area, already feeling the day’s worries slip away. The lodge itself was a treasure trove of information on local history, large map of then local area and details of walking paths:
Exploring the Moorlands
Our plan for the Saturday was to get out for a long, leisurely run across the moors, and the lodge provided the perfect inspiration with a detailed printout of suggested walks. Our chosen path was set based on the Whitaside Moor route with a detour across the access land towards the end to visit the historic Grinton Lead Smelting Mill, adding a touch of extra history to the day passing past discussed mines and stunning views across the Yorkshire Dales. At the Grinton Smelt Mill, the site echoing the industrial past of the region, now standing as a testament to the resilience of history and nature alike, with information boards covering how the site worked and remains from the waterwheel, chimney and stores across the hillside, it is well worth a visit.
The return to the lodge was filled with reflections on the day’s discoveries, from the expansive views of the moors to the intricate details of the smelting mill’s past. With still plenty of time left in the day we had a chance for a little more exploring and as we headed down to Reeth and visited the historic St. Andrew’s, Grinton—known as the ‘Cathedral of the Dales’ on the way back. Before setting down for an evening of cooking, and then relaxing in the lounge with our books.
An Unforgettable Visit to Fountains Abbey
Our plan for the Sunday was to break the journey back home with a visit to Fountains Abbey and Studley Royal Water Garden, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that captivates the imagination with its ruins and gardens, echoing over 800 years of human ambition. This majestic site was the perfect place to explore with a walk around the Hall, ruins of the Abbey with its excellent information exhibit and concluding with a walk around the gardens and visiting the follies in the woodland.
All that remained was the remaining journey back home after a fabulous weekend away.
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