BLANC

PATELEY BRIDGE

Pateley Bridge is a charming small town deep down in Nidderdale where the B6265 road rises steeply on either side of the town. The River Nidd rises just to north and flows through the town on its way to join the River Ouse near York.

 

 



The bridge crosses the River Nidd

The riverside park

The main street rises steeply from the riverside

 

 

BRIMHAM ROCKS

On the B6265 road between Ripon and Pateley Bridge strange and fantastic natural rock formations can be seen on an area of moorland overlooking Nidderdale, some 1,000 feet above sea level.

 

Know as  Brimham Rocks, they are unique amongst natural rock formations throughout Europe and appear to be the result of receding glaciers of the last ice age, denuding a thick fragmented layer of gritstone, which down the centuries was eroded by the action of wind, rain and frost.  Softer layers in the sandstone eroded quicker than the harder deposits and as a result individual rocks have been left in shapes as fantastic as they are grotesque, with profiles that bear striking resemblances to animals and other objects.   The most famous is the idol rock, said to weigh some 200 tons and is supported on a pedestal not more then 15” thick.  Others are the Anvil, Elephant, Turtle, Lion, Dog, Space Ship and many more.

The area is now under the care of the National Trust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Idol Rock

 

 

 

 

FOUNTAINS ABBEY AND STUDLEY ROYAL

 

 

Fountains Abbey was founded by Cistercian monks in the remote valley of the tiny River Skell near Ripon in 1132 and was supressed  by Henry V111 during the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century. Now these ruins in their idyllic natural setting are a World Heritage site 

owned by the National Trust.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 

 
 
 
 

 
 


Studley Royal park and water gardens is also part of
the World Heritage site.
Formerly the home of the Marquess of Ripon it was first developed in the early 18th century.
 
 

 
Temple of Piety and water gardens
 

 
 
 

 

 
Palladian style mini banqueting house 
 

 
 Eye catching folly
 

 
 
 

 
The deer park 
 

 

 

 

 
St Mary's church dates to 1878.