Lady Anne's Way
Lady Anne's Way is a is classic long distance route inspired by the great Westmorland heiress Lady Anne Clifford, (January 30, 1590 - March 22, 1676) the daughter and heiress of George Clifford, 3rd Earl of Cumberland and Margaret Russell .
The route snakes for a hundred miles (161 km) from Skipton Castle, to Brougham Castle, where Lady Anne died in 1676 at the age of 86 and traverses through the magnificent scenery of the Upper Eden Valley and the Yorkshire Dales, including beautiful Wharfedale and Wensleydale. Lady Anne travelled repeatedly between her castles and other properties and the route passes by the ruins of many of these fascinating historic buildings.
Lady Anne was responsible for the improvement and restoration of many of the Clifford family's castles across the North of England, including Skipton, Pendragon, Appleby, Brough and Brougham Castles. She also built and restored churches and almshouses.
The route
*The route commences in the Yorkshire market town of Skipton, Lady Anne was born in Skipton Castle in 1590 and crosses Embsay moor to Bardon Towers, then follows the river Wharfe on to the delightful small town of of Grassington.
*It then climbs high above the valley and encompasses stunning wide views over the limestone hills before dropping down to Kettlewell and Buckden.
*It continues into Wensleydale and the pretty village of Askrigg, famous for its connections with the TV series 'All Creatures Great and Small' before arriving in the market town of Hawes.
*Joining Lady Annes Highway, the route proceeds with a high level walk over the fells from Wensleydale, along the meadows by the River Ure to Cotter end.
Mallerstang Dale
*Passing through the remote Cumbrian dale of Mallerstang by the ruins of Pendragon Castle and on through the Eden Valley, Lady Anne's Way continues to the historic town of Kirkby Stephen.
* It procceds to the dramatic Norman ruins of Brough Castle and on to the county town of Appleby-in-Westmorland which contains another of Lady Anne's castles and the almshouses she founded in around 1651.
13th century Brougham Castle
*The final part of the route encompasses the ruins of Brougham Hall, a 13th century fortified manor house and the spectacular 13th century Brougham Castle, which is romantically situated by the River Eamont. A short riverside walk then leads to the end of the walk in the historic town of Penrith .
Maps
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Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure OL2 Yorkshire Dales West
Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure OL30 Yorkshire Dales Northern & Central areas
Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure OL19 Howgill Fells and Upper Eden Valley
Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure OL5 The English Lakes North-eastern area