Bark Plantation

Wood, Forest in Yorkshire Craven

England

Bark Plantation

High Long Ridge This gently sloping broad pasture is neither high, nor long, and hardly qualifies as a ridge, but drops gently towards the dry valley above Bordley Beck which, after the odd identity change, drains into the River Aire just east of Gargrave. The hill to the right of the photo on Malham Moor has the faint remains of a settlement and field system long predating the modern walls and farms. Being on limestone, the grassland is greener as the soil is noticeably more fertile than in the immediate foreground which provides only a scant living for sheep. — High Long Ridge Credit: Andy Waddington

Bark Plantation, Yorkshire, located in the northern region of England, is a picturesque woodlands area renowned for its enchanting beauty and diverse ecological significance. Covering a vast expanse, the plantation consists of a dense forest that stretches across undulating hills and valleys, creating a captivating landscape. The woodland primarily comprises various types of deciduous and coniferous trees, including oak, birch, beech, pine, and spruce, providing a rich tapestry of colors throughout the year.

Bark Plantation is a haven for nature enthusiasts and outdoor adventurers alike. The forest offers an array of walking trails and hiking paths that meander through the dense foliage, providing visitors with ample opportunities to explore and connect with nature. Additionally, the plantation is home to a plethora of wildlife species, such as red deer, foxes, rabbits, and a myriad of bird species, making it a popular destination for birdwatching enthusiasts.

The woodland also plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem, serving as a natural habitat for several endangered and protected species. Conservation efforts are actively carried out in Bark Plantation to preserve and maintain the delicate balance of the ecosystem.

In addition to its natural beauty, Bark Plantation has historical significance as well. The area has been inhabited for centuries, with remnants of ancient settlements and archaeological sites scattered throughout the forest. These historical remnants add an extra layer of intrigue and fascination to the plantation, attracting history enthusiasts and researchers.

Overall, Bark Plantation in Yorkshire is a captivating fusion of natural splendor, ecological importance, and historical significance, making it a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a serene and enriching experience in the heart of nature.

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Bark Plantation Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.075472/-2.08185 or Grid Reference SD9464. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

High Long Ridge

This gently sloping broad pasture is neither high, nor long, and hardly qualifies as a ridge, but drops gently towards the dry valley above Bordley Beck which, after the odd identity change, drains into the River Aire just east of Gargrave. The hill to the right of the photo on Malham Moor has the faint remains of a settlement and field system long predating the modern walls and farms. Being on limestone, the grassland is greener as the soil is noticeably more fertile than in the immediate foreground which provides only a scant living for sheep.

Andy Waddington

Limestone boulders on Tommy Low Pasture

Although there is no bedrock in evidence, the short green grass is indicative that limestone lies close to the surface here, and there are lots of limestone bouders dotted about. The nearest has clearly been used by sheep as shelter from the wind, leading to a "moat" of eroded aoil around it and showing that the soil also contains rocks other than limestone in its matrix. In the middle distance, the group of trees are Kealcup plantation on the NE side of Kealcup Hill.

Andy Waddington

Limestone boulders on Tommy High Pasture

Although the bedrock is concealed by a layer of drift, there are plenty of boulders lying about to indicate that a lot of the local geology is limestone. The one in the immediate foreground has smoothed surfaces and characteristic grooves eroded by humic acids whilst partially buried in the soil. Now exposed, lichen finds it a congenial home. In the distance are Clapham High Mark and Parson's Pulpit, where the underlying limestone is much closer to the surface and forms numerous small outcrops.

Andy Waddington

Kealcup Laithe

The building has been very well looked after with all mod cons - guttering is not common on such buildings well away from its farm. It looks out across rough grazing below the public bridleway from Smearbottoms Lane to Bordley on the southern slopes of Kealcup Hill. The lone tree in the centre of the view is above Heber Beck within New House Farm National Nature Reserve.

Andy Waddington

Bordley Farms

The hamlet of Bordley consists mainly of two farms, Bordley Green farm (on the left) and Bordley House Farm (on the right). From the perspective of a walker passing by, the farms seem to exist to house two sets of dogs who each compete to drown out the other during one's approach and passage between the buildings. Chickens and a cockerel have no hesitation in joining the fray, so I'm sure none of the human occupants would have heard my own dog's attempts to compete. The muddy approach is by a public bridleway, which can be seen continuing between walls beyond the farms. These are by no means the only rights of way which converge here, there being another bridleway and four separate public footpaths, walkers thereupon no doubt offering many opportunities for canine choir practice.

Andy Waddington

Height Laithe

The public bridleway passes through a gate (on which the photographer is leaning) and heads off along the line of the wall towards the left of the view. A public footpath joins the bridleway over a stile just the far side of the stone barn, which, however, drops one directly in front of the cattle taking shelter from the bitter wind behind the ruins of a further wall. Since this seemed gratuitously confrontational (and though the cattle seemed laid back, the dog had it in mind to change that situation) we had skirted to the right of the barn to join the bridleway by the muddy tracks over the shoulder of the hillside on the right on the view, which seemed to make everyone's life more relaxed.

Andy Waddington

Looking to the settlement above Cow Close Wood

The immediate foreground is a path leading vaguely from the public bridleway above Height Laithe towards Height House. The hill beyond is marked with two antiquities, a "Settlement" and a "Hut circle and enclosure". Presumably these are different stages of development of a prehistoric community on the limestone hilltop where there is plenty of stone for building, a good view, and good soil suitable for farming. The more modern farm buildings, having less need for defence, perhaps, favour a more sheltered location below the hill, though today they find themselves on the windward side in a gusty and bitter breeze.

Andy Waddington

Limestone boulders on Malham Moor

Just west of the bridleway from Height Laithe towards Mastiles Lane, just after crossing Malham Moor Lane, a vague track diverges to loop back and rejoin the right of way. From a geographer's point of view, its main benefit is in reaching a position which is assuredly inside the same square as the view to the west over the higher parts of the moor.

Andy Waddington

Malham Moor

According to the OS benchmark database there was a benchmark cut into a gatepost at this location. The gateposts have been replaced and are wooden. No benchmark was found.

Mel Towler