Victoria Institute

Wenning Ways from Low Bentham

8.0 miles | 12.9 km | 203 m Ascent | 9.0 Naismith miles | Mary & Kate Taylor
We have enjoyed a number of local walks this spring, and all of them have reminded us just how lucky we are to live here. As the name suggests this excellent walk showcases the Wenning Valley, and visits both Low and High Bentham, making good use of the popular “Heritage Trails”.
How fondly we remember a walk depends to some extent on the weather (perfect on this occasion), and on random events that even the best walk leaders cannot plan. On this walk, it was the chance to watch an otter hunting in the River Wenning near Low Bentham, apparently unconcerned by our presence. You may or may not enjoy that particular treat if you take this walk, but there are lots of other interesting things to see, with industrial archaeology, local history, and great views all included.

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Christmas Walk Low Bentham 2024

4.2 miles | 6.7 km | 123 m Ascent | 4.8 Naismith miles | Mary Pickstone & Valerie Eccles
The days between Christmas and New Year – referred to by one group member as “Twixtmass” – are filled with leftovers, repeats of TV programmes that were lack-lustre the first time round, and a general confusion about what day it really is.
Bentham Footpath Group offers its members a welcome escape from all this by organising a Christmas Walk every year. Our aim is to get out, get some fresh air, and show off those new boots / kit that Santa brought. We generally aim for a short and easy walk, to encourage a good turnout, and end at a pub or café where we share lunch – the recently re-opened Punch Bowl at Low Bentham was our host this year.

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Furnessford & Hindburn Bridges

8.5 miles | 13.6 km | 361 m Ascent | 10.3 Naismith miles | Susan Badley
Bentham Footpath Group Walks generally start within an hour’s drive of Bentham – there is so much wonderful walking country within that radius that we are always spoiled for choice. This excellent walk – aided by near perfect weather – highlights the fact that Bentham itself is a great place to start a walk.
We start in low Bentham and cross the Wenning at the pedestrian bridge were the Silk Mills once stood, and then head up Mill Lane as far as Kirkbeck where we take paths across fields to Mewith lane and then across to Spens Farm.
We cross the Hindburn for the first time at Furnessford Bridge, and then head over to Cragg Hall, before descending back to the river to cross at Hindburn Bridge. From there we head up to Mealbank and take paths across fields to follow the Wenning Valley upstream with great views across to Ingleborough and Whernside along the way. Passing Robert Hall, we head down Eskew Lane and back to Low Bentham.

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Low Bentham

4.8 miles | 7.7 km | 264 m Ascent | 6.1 Naismith miles | Alan Parker
We start from the free car park at Harley Bank and then cross the Wenning to walk up Mill lane as far as Clouds Bank. We then take a path over fields to pick up Eskew Lane at the Punch Bowl, and cross the river again to take the “fairy steps” to West End Farm.
From there we take a lane and then a footpath to Goodenburgh Holiday Park, where we cross Ravens Close Brow and take the footpath over to Gill Farm. Here we turn right on Back Lane. This brings us back to Ravens Close Brow at the Solar Farm where we cross the fields to arrive back at Low Bentham at Green Head Farm. We end the walk with a pleasant stroll through the village.

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