Penhill Beacon from West Witton

• Spectacular situation of Penhill Beacon
• Old lead mines below Penhill Scar
• Views over to Castle Bolton

I approached Penhill Beacon from the wrong side. I approached the Beacon from the moorland to the west and in fact almost missed the large, and prominent cairn. Penhill Beacon was part of a network of bonfires, strategically placed throughout the country, to warn the population of any invasion. There were 2 occasions when the beacons were lit, once when the Spanish Armada steamed up the channel and 300 years later when that rascal Napoleon was threatening our shores. Fortunately neither party set foot on our lands! The large cairn is situated on the last chunk of high land before the Vale of York with Roseberry Topping being next in line. The approach I took was to walk up Green Gate to the west end of West Witton and explore the old lead mines first. In fact there is not much to see here but the views of Penhill Scar and Black Scar offer some compensation on the climb up. The peat moorland on Penhill offered some excellent views down Coverdale and upper Wensleydale but once again these would have been improved if I had tackled Penhill Beacon first so was walking  towards the west on the high ground. It is a good, if not infallible rule, that views looking north or west are better than south and east. The area around West Witton is steeped in history, not just through the ancient lead mines and the Beacon but also as a centre of the Order of the Knights Templar during the 14th century. All in all a varied and interesting walk to do.

Recommend: West Witton has a more interesting history than many Dales villages. In particular read up on the Order of the Knight’s Templar.

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© Crown copyright 2010 Ordnance Survey. Image produced from the Ordnance Survey Get-a-map service. Image reproduced with kind permission of Ordnance Survey and Ordnance Survey of Northern Ireland.

OS Map:	O/S 1.25,000. OL30 Yorkshire Dales Norther & Central Area
Start Point:	060885. Parking on the main road seems to be acceptable but head east and take the road to Melmerby.
Terrain:	The peat hags on the high land can be troublesome and the land round the lead mines also rather wet, there is a wonderful array of boulders under Penhill Scar for those wanting a picnic away from the wind.
Eating & Drinking:	I have not eaten in the Wensleydale Heifer but apparently the food is excellent but for a pint stick to the Fox and Hounds, comfortable and pleasant for the sweaty walker.
Similar Walks Nearby:	Climbing Addleborough idden Semerwater Aysgarth Falls & Castle Bolton
Places to Stay: