Blake Beck Wood

Wood, Forest in Yorkshire South Lakeland

England

Blake Beck Wood

Cowgill Bridge The road is the route from Dent to Garsdale Head. The bridge crosses the Cowgill Beck, and though modest in appearance, dates from 1702 and is grade II listed (list entry 1383839). — Cowgill Bridge Credit: Stephen Craven

Blake Beck Wood is a picturesque and diverse woodland located in the county of Yorkshire, England. Situated near the village of Blake Beck, this beautiful forest covers an area of approximately 100 hectares. The woodland is known for its lush greenery, varied wildlife, and tranquil atmosphere, making it a popular destination for nature enthusiasts and hikers alike.

The wood is predominantly composed of broadleaf trees, including oak, birch, and beech, which provide a stunning canopy overhead. These trees create a vibrant and ever-changing landscape throughout the seasons, with bursts of vibrant colors in the autumn and a fresh green hue in the spring.

Blake Beck Wood is also home to a diverse range of wildlife. Visitors may be lucky enough to spot elusive creatures such as deer, foxes, and badgers roaming through the undergrowth. The forest is also a haven for birdwatchers, with a variety of species including woodpeckers, owls, and thrushes. The peaceful environment of the wood provides an ideal habitat for these animals, making it a prime location for wildlife enthusiasts.

For those looking to explore the woodland, there are several well-maintained walking trails that meander through the forest. These paths offer stunning views of the surrounding countryside, as well as opportunities to discover hidden glades and babbling brooks. Along the trails, informative signposts provide interesting facts about the flora and fauna found within the wood.

Overall, Blake Beck Wood is a natural gem in Yorkshire, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and experience the tranquility of a traditional English woodland.

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Blake Beck Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.264653/-2.3558272 or Grid Reference SD7685. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Cowgill Bridge

The road is the route from Dent to Garsdale Head. The bridge crosses the Cowgill Beck, and though modest in appearance, dates from 1702 and is grade II listed (list entry 1383839).

Stephen Craven

Cowgill Bridge - stone plaque

The plaque marks the repair of the bridge in 1702 'at the charge of the West Riding'. The location is now in Cumbria rather than Yorkshire. See SD7586 : Cowgill Bridge for context.

Stephen Craven

Cowgill chapel - south side

Also known as Kirkthwaite Chapel, or the church of St John the Evangelist, a chapel of ease in the parish of Dent. Built 1837-8 and grade II listed. The wooden shingled bell turret is unusual for this part of the country. Dentdale was formerly part of the West Riding of Yorkshire and the parish belonged to the diocese of Bradford but now belongs to Cumbria and the diocese of Carlisle.

Stephen Craven

Cowgill chapel - interior

See SD7586 : Cowgill chapel - south side for the outside, and the shared description for its history.

Stephen Craven

Cowgill chapel - font

See SD7586 : Cowgill chapel - south side for the outside, and the shared description for the history of the church.

Stephen Craven

Cowgill chapel - navvies memorial

In addition to residents of the village buried over the years - and it's such a small place there can rarely have been more than a couple of funerals a year - 72 railway workers and their families (so several hundred people) died in the few years it took to build the Settle-Carlisle railway across the head of Dentdale.

Stephen Craven

Cowgill chapel - organ

Although it only has one manual (keyboard) it's surprisingly large for such a small church. Most small village chapels of this era would just have had a harmonium.

Stephen Craven

Cowgill chapel - war memorial

The memorial is a simple stone cross, smaller than many such. Even from this small village, six men lost their lives in the first worlds war and three in the second.

Stephen Craven

Signpost at the bottom of Coal Road

The signpost is of a type common in the area, see SD7686 : Cowgill Signpost for a close-up; adjacent is a community notice board.

Stephen Craven

Coal Road, Cowgill

A sign warns of a single track road ahead. It doesn't mention the gradient, shown on the map with a single arrow indicating 1:7 to 1:5. As I had to push my bicycle most of the way up, I suspect it was nearer the latter figure.

Stephen Craven

Artengill viaduct from Lea Yeat Brow

A well known feature of the Settle-Carlisle line, dramatic seen close up, but this photo shows its setting in the landscape of Upper Dentdale. Unusually it is both a listed structure (grade II, list entry 1383817) and a scheduled monument (1007242).

Stephen Craven

Telecoms installation, Lea Yeat Brow

The telecoms equipment has been added since the barn was last photographed from this site in 2015 SD7687 : Barn, Lea Yeat Brow.

Stephen Craven

Dentdale service reservoir

Seen from above. There's no impounding reservoir in this dale, so it's either spring-fed, or treated water is pumped up the dale.

Stephen Craven

Arten Gill Viaduct, 1968

On the Settle and Carlisle Line, a grade II listed structure. The train crossing, of nineteen hopper wagons and a brake van, appears to be hauled by a class 40 locomotive.

Robin Webster