Scugdale, Swainby, Coast to Coast
More Articles in the Swainby to Clay Bank subsection
Scugdale Beck in Swainby
Scugdale, Swainby, Coast to Coast
Scugdale begins at Scugdale Head on the 404m Noon Hill. This is a watershed that separates the valleys of Scugdale to the west, Raisdale to the East and Arnsgill to the south. Scugdale Beck begins at the dale's Head and flows along the dale for 3 miles to Swainby after which it becomes the Potto Beck. It merges with the River Leven at Hutton Rudby.
Along the watershed's ridge, known as Barker's Ridge, there are a series of boundary stones. Following Rank Crag around the north side of Scugdale it reaches Barker's Crag, a popular bouldering location a little above Scugdale Hall.
The north side of Scugdale is populated by Bilsdale West Moor, Whorlton Moor, Snotterdale and Live Moor, whereas the south side of Scugdale is populated by Black Moor, Whorlton Moor, Far Moor, and Near Moor.
Scugdale is negotiated by the Coast to Coast path at Swine Park and Hollin Hill as the Path crosses the Dale between Clain Wood and Live Moor.
Scugdale Beck
Scugdale Beck is a shallow stretch of water at this stage of its life, but it runs through an attractive wildlife habitat. The Coast to Coast path (and Cleveland Way) cross the beck either using the shallow ford, or via steps over the wooden footbridge.
Approaching Swine Park
The Coast to Coast path leaves Clain Wood to cross the edge of a meadow to attain the ford and weir at Swine Park. The weir spans the Scugdale Beck. A ribbon of woodland envelopes the Beck between Swainby and Robinson's Intake (opposite Scugdale Hall).
Delicate Hill
From the ford on Scugdale Beck below Fog Close, a look north reveals the ascending ribbon of Lower Snotterdale, with Delicate Hill and Rakes Wood making up the centre ground.
Barker's Crags Scugdale
The ridge at the top of the north bank of the Dale is mostly taken up by Barker's Crags and Barker's Ridge. The bank is steep and wooded and along its top is a low ridge of hard sandstone that forms the boulders so popular with rock climbers. Climbs do not usually exceed 10m in height. The rocks provide many technical cracks, aretes and overhangs.
Barker's Ridge Scugdale Head
From Scugdale Hall, Barker's Ridge, summiting at 370m, appears in the centre background above Rank Crag at 320m. There is a long line of boundary stones alongside the ridge top path. A large conifer wood now extends from a section of the ridge top to the valley bottom, which is not shown on the OS map.
Sparrow Hall Scugdale
Sparrow Hall is a Grade II Listed Building. A nearby field gatepost bears the date of 1713 with initials LH and the property is known to date to the early 18th century.
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