The River Ribble

from source to sea Part 5 - Horton in Ribblesdale

Horton in Ribblesdale

Horton village straddles the B6255 for ½ mile. There are cottages dating from the 17th century, along with more recent additions. Victorian terraces were built in the 1870s when the railway was constructed, and more modern housing was built when the nearby quarries were opened, from the 1890s.

This is the view looking east, from near the station. The road crosses the river just before the white building, then turns south, hidden by the trees.

This view of the village is dominated by Pen-y-ghent. Horton is a common starting and finishing point for fell-runners attempting the Three Peaks (Pen-y-ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough). It is also a favourite resting place for walkers on the Pennine Way long-distance footpath.

Beecroft Hall Farm

A typical dales sheep farm, with the original buildings constructed from local limestone. On the left are outbuildings of less traditional nature. Notice the dutch barn on the right, complete with a store of traditional hay.

Horton Quarry

This is part of the largest of the quarries which were developed close to Horton, and the railway, at the end of the Victorian period. (226K)

Lorries on B6255

Limestone from the quarries used to be transported from the area by train - but now it is moved by road. This is a trend which may be changing: I noticed far more goods trains on my last visit to Ribblesdale (July '98) than previously.

Car Park

Not only do the lorries from the quarries cause congestion on the roads, but so do the cars of day-trippers - most of whom park here to climb Pen-y-ghent. In the last 20 years this car park has been approximately trebled in size.