England's Most Scenic Mainline Railway
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Footsteps in Time
Join our free heritage event
Navvy Hike Wednesday 13th August
This 8 mile hike leaves at 11.00 from the station yard. Our exhibits are on display in the visitor centre and the theatre takes place approximately 12.30 . This is available to all with parking at the church.
We explore the landscape between Ribblehead to Chapel le Dale stopping to hear about the Viking settlement area and Great Douk cave , one of many in the cave system underneath the area.
The Cumbria in Bloom judges visited the northern stations on the S&C recently for our annual appraisal. The Armathwaite station gardener reports that they were very positive and we live in hope of a result at least as good as last year when we were awarded 4 out of 5, thriving. A written report is expected in September.
The West Coast Main Line will be closed for extended periods in early 2026. It seems likely that some Avanti services will be diverted along the S&C from Wigan to Carlisle. Nothing is yet certain, but the signs are good and it's no doubt a case of watch this space!
Ribblehead Footsteps in Time: our next event is Limestone Botany on Wednesday 30th of July.
We explore the botany of the Ribblehead quarry with its stunning lily pond . Onto Gauber pasture taking in the Viking Long House and landscape features. All shadowed by Ingleborough with a view of the viaduct as it gently curves to meet Blea moor tunnel.
Geoff Marshall visits every station on the Settle-Carlisle Line in just one glorious June day. He departs from Leeds at crack of dawn and returns on the last train in the evening: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DGbtl3i5WBI
This must surely become the definitive modern video of the line.
Unique new views of life on the Settle-Carlisle Railway available on webcam.
Horton in Ribblesdale station has witnessed some fabulous new developments in the life of the famous Settle-Carlisle Railway line and now you can see firsthand the activity, live from your living room, with the introduction of three new webcams at the station.
A 6 mile walk to Thorns which returns over the shanty site tramways shadowed by the Ribblehead viaduct. Walk introduction at the visitor centre before leaving from the station yard at 11.30. Exhibitions , talks and cafe open 10.15 to 3.30.
Wednesday, 18th June.
What a brilliant day we had at the welcoming visitor centre, on the scenic Navvy walk and when taking part in the latest production ‘mysteries in the graveyard’ at St Leonard’s, Chapel Le Dale.
Thank you everyone for coming along to share it.
Our next event is on Wednesday 2nd July when we discover the abandoned village of Thorns and the impact of the railway on the drovers and community there.
Ribblehead: Footsteps in Time
Our first Railway builders and shanty site event of 2025 jwas a huge success on Wednesday21st.
The happy group of walkers were treated to unusually dry terrain and a warm wind free day at Ribblehead. A visiting group of children to our exhibition were stunned to learn that girls their age worked long hours in the brickworks and boys were working on menial tasks in all weather.
Ribblehead: Footsteps in Time
Free event Wednesday 21st May 2025.
The theme is the railway builders at Ribblehead with a guided tour of the shanty area to discover its industrial past. To enhance the experience we have an outdoor theatre production following the tour. This involves walking approximately 4.5 miles over varying terrain.
Something for everyone
Ribblehead visitor centre and cafe open 10.15. Closed 3.15pm
Ribblehead : Footsteps in Time
Footsteps in time are preparing for the free to join limestone botany treks at Gauber quarry and pasture opposite the Ribblehead visitor centre. Here’s a few of the amazing flowers seen recently on our recce. Many have yet to fully emerge
Special thanks to Pete Shaw for his help in searching and identifying the amazing collection of species that thrive in the harsh conditions and altitude at Ribblehead
Wednesday 7th May
Rocks and rails is a geology based free guided walk and tour of the features of the landscape. Discover how the area provided the raw materials for the building of the iconic Ribblehead viaduct as the navvies reshaped the land to create this main-line through the dales.
A successful first event which was also a new event this season. We also had a view of the LSL ‘The Chairman’s Train’ as it crossed Ribblehead viaduct on its way to London Euston.
Following a talk on navvy life and the glory of the coming of the line through Ribblehead, we set off to Thorns to share a different message. The rise of the railway had its part in bringing the end of droving and the eventual abandonment of Thorns
Discover Thorns with the Footsteps in Time team . The first of our new seasons events is on the 23rd April starting from Ribblehead visitor centre at the station.
The 6 mile walk will leave the station yard at approximately 1130. Please read our important information so that you are able to safely join us.
This now abandoned village was in a thriving location and a regular stop for the drovers , who were also skilled veterinarians, as they made their way from north to south with livestock, goods and news.
The Case for Integrated Transport on the Leeds-Settle-Carlisle Line Corridor
The paper referenced at the bottom of this news item has been well received by the local press and CPRE. Please click on the link to read the full report.
Opening hours at HCB from 4th April:
Fridays 10.30-16.00
Saturdays 10.00-17.30
Easter Sunday and Monday 10.30-16.00
The Footsteps in Time team at Hellifield Shed 24H for their AGM
The Footsteps in time team have two new features during the 2025 seasons events.
Limestone Botany when we welcome a Leeds based botanical artist, Selina Thorp, to accompany us in identifying the wild flowers of ingleborough quarry and Gauber pasture.
In March, We are going to be open Fridays 10.30 - 16.00 and Saturdays 10.00 - 16.00.
We will extend those hours when the clocks go forward at the end of March.
The weather is due to get much colder again so don't forget you can buy some very cosy headwear , bobbles and beanies, from our Settle shop or our web shop.
Both styles £10 from Settle and £13.50 on line incl P & P at https://shop.foscl.org.uk
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL GUIDE
Hello Friends
Membership is due for renewal and we are pleased to confirm that rates of subscription remain unchanged with even more benefits included for the coming year.
FRIENDS’ MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS:
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