Whitsun Dale South, Coast to Coast
More Articles in the Kirkby Stephen to Keld subsection
Whitsundale Beck from How Edge
Whitsundale South, Ravenseat, Coast to Coast
The south section of Whitsun Dale begins at Ravenseat, where the Whitsun Dale has left the confines of Birkdale Common and Ravenseat Moor and has expanded outwards. It has also changed direction from south east to south (see the article for Whitsun Dale North).
This section of Whitsun Dale extends from Ravenseat along the east bank of Whitsundale Beck to Low Bridge. The Beck itself veers away from the path at Lamb Paddock Scar to converge with the River Swale at High Bridge.
Whitsun Dale Ravenseat
All three routes of the Coast to Coast path converge at Ravenseat, i.e. the red, blue and green routes. The path leaves Ravenseat for Keld, which means walking along the path above the west riverbank of the south section of Whitsun Dale. Looking back from Close Hills a vista opens out to the head of this section, with Ravenseat Farm assuming the central position.
Whitsundale Waterfall
Below a sheepfold, barely out of Ravenseat, is the Whitsundale Waterfall. Modest though it is on the drier days this can change very quickly in wet weather. There are actually two small waterfalls within close proximity.
Whitsun Dale
In late spring and early summer the hay meadows around Ravenseat burst into blossom with prodigious displays of yellow globe flowers, dandelions and other meadow flowers. One of the hay meadows, due to the dense plethora of globe flowers, has been designated as an SSSI.
Whitsundale Beck
After leaving Ravenseat, Whitsundale Beck is forever changed. It has grown broader, deeper and swifter, and is nearing the end of its 2nd order beck status, to submit itself to the River Swale at High Bridge and become a 3rd order river.
How Edge Whitsun Dale
How Edge, on both riverbanks, is an area of steep limestone cliffs with a small gorge through which the Whitsundale Beck is channeled.
Oven Mouth Reynoldson Sike
At Oven Mouth the Whitsundale Beck enters another small gorge. On one of the steep arcs of the Beck the Reynoldson Sike converges with the Beck. The gulley created by the Sike is quite deep and looks modestly dramatic.
Hill Top Farm
Gazing across the valley from Barney Brow, Hill Top Farm is prominent. Above the farm, about 200 yards from it, is Birkdale Tarn, a substantial tarn in the area designated as Tarn Moss.
Smithy Holme Farm
Near the end of Whitsun Dale is Smithy Holme Farm. This is near to where the path turns into Swaledale.
Brian Cave
Although named as Brian Cave on the OS, this is in fact a disused lime kiln. There appears to be nothing special about it. It is located immediately above the bridge at Low Bridge.
Great Ash Gill
Great Ash Gill descends from Ashgill Side to converge with the River Swale very close to the Whitsundale Beck's convergence. The deep gulley sides are a testament to the soft terrain of the moorland. The view of the Gill is outstandingly dramatic when descending Little Moor at the very south of Whitsun Dale.
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