Next Trips

Helwith Bridge, Yorkshire Dales

Back in 1964 three young Yorkshire men in Pontefract decided to form a society to further their passions - and it was nothing to do with using liquorice in breakfast cereal, as an alternative fuel or even rat pellets. After much deliberation they came up with an appropriate name which reflected their interests and called themselves ‘The Undertakers Society’. However, this was not well received by some elements of their community. Whether pressure came from the Men in Black, their clients and customers, or even the Men of the Cloth they were forced to rename themselves very quickly and came up with something less inflammatory, but more subversive as ‘The Yorkshire Subterranean Society’. Of course, this now conjures up images of a secret organisation aiding and abetting King Arthur Scargill. The South Yorkshire coalfield was his heartland after all. More prosaically the YSS is a club for cavers and potholers. The old village school in Helwith Bridge has been converted by the YSS into a bunkhouse/headquarters. As befits the time when village schools were proper schools this is a substantial building with alot of internal space. It has a dining room, kitchen, lounge, drying room and 4 bedrooms (2x8, 1x10 and 1x12). The number of bunk beds totals 35, but as will be seen on arrival, some have intriguing expectations so the number of bed spaces is really 32. Make sure you bring a sleeping bag. There is also a gear store in the cellar for ropes, battery charging, racks, whips, wet suits, tackle and other bondage equipment of an S&M kind. I am not sure if the cellar has been soundproofed! All this for another recession busting weekend for anxious folk. The bunkhouse key is available from the landlord at the Helwith Bridge Inn.

The Keighley and Craven CAMRA branch have awarded this pub their ‘Pub of the Season’ Award several times over the years. It lays cheek by jowl directly above the River Ribble adjacent to its erstwhile bridge. Ramshackle in appearance to some it does provide hearty food and a selection of 8 beers. Consideration for people like Curly Chris has been made by fixing the beer menu to the bar room ceiling and having a clock that reads backwards. It also has probably the World’s smallest bunkhouse, a 4 bedded shed in the centre of the forecourt which may now have had its windows curtained. This could provide the perfect location for those people of a snoring disposition, a desire to eat all meals in the pub or the inability to walk to and from the bunkhouse. Alternatively, at least 8 Shotlets could be squeezed in if necessary. Use www.helwithbridge.com for further information.

Walking opportunities abound in all directions. The Ribble Way goes past the front door. The Three Peaks Walk starts from just up the road at Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Pen-y-Ghent, Fountains Fell, Malham Tarn, Ingleborough, Whernside, Gaping GhylI, Hunt Pot, Ribblehead Viaduct, Stainforth Force, Attermire Scar, and Malham Cove are just a few of the nearby attractions.

Helwith Bridge is very easy to find. It is situated just over 3 miles north of Settle just off the B6479, halfway to Horton-in-Ribblesdale. Helwith Bridge Inn is clearly signposted one mile past Stainforth at a junction where the B6479 does a sharp right hand turn. Continue on the minor road ahead to cross the Settle to Carlisle railway and River Ribble in quick succession with the pub on the immediate right. The bunkhouse lies beyond just past the next right hand turn and is the obvious village school building surrounded by a metal fence. Please send the usual £5 deposit to Gustav to secure a bed or two.

Please send the usual £ 5 deposit to Gustav to secure a bed or two.

Donna for more details.

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