Walk directions for St Mary’s Church Ruins

1. Beginning at the Car Park at the Cricket Club, cross the bridge (to the side opposite the play park, for those starting from elsewhere), and turn right down the footpath which follows the edge of the river. It is signposted ‘public footpath’. Continue along the river, keeping it to your right, and make sure you take a look at the Pillars Past installation on the old railway line.

2. After about a mile, you will reach an iron bridge crossing the river. Just before this, to your left is a little gate leading through the dry stone wall. Go through this, and head up and across the fields. It is a wide grassy path that heads slightly leftwards, making a diagonal across the field. At the far end, you will reach a metal gate leading into a walled/ fenced track, which turns left and then heads up towards the houses of the village of Glasshouses.

3. Before you get to the main bulk of the village, there is a grassy footpath, which turns left between two properties (there is a stone bollard at the foot of it). This leads uphill, past a cluster of pine trees to your left, and a horse field to your right. At the top there is a wooden gate leading out onto the road.

4. Cross the road, and turn left, walking along the pavement for around 200 yards. On your right, you will see a small access road leading uphill. Take this and head up it. Ignore the public footpath sign, which points to your left and continue upwards, until the road bends round to the left. You will reach a crossroad of access roads and here, you need to take the walled path to the left.

5. Here there are amazing views across Nidderdale (not that the kids will care much!) and you will begin to head back in the direction of Pateley Bridge. After about 200 yards, on your left, there is a metal gate leading to The Rock. There is an information board about the history of this viewpoint, but it’s worth the teeny tiny detour! After you have checked it out, head back onto the path, and shortly after on your right, you will see a grassy path offshoot (it is signposted St Mary’s Church).

6. Take this, cross the stile and follow it across the fields. The path heads through a horse field and then into the wooded area surrounding St Mary’s Church. Make sure you explore the stunning ruins, which originate in the 1300’s. (I say this like you AREN’T going to be repetitively telling the kids not to use the consecrated ground as their own personal playground….!)

7. Once you have checked it all out, take the footpath out of the grounds. It is at the bottom end of the churchyard (the church tower end), and takes some stone steps downwards, onto a narrow walled footpath. You will soon see the modern day church graveyard to your right. At the end, you will again meet some stone steps heading downwards. At the bottom, turn right, and head back down into Pateley Bridge.

8. The walk back through the town will take you past the Oldest Sweetshop (just a warning there….. As we can never go past without going in!) Soon, you’ll see the bridge up ahead, and the playpark is on your right hand side on the opposite side of the bridge!

Last walked February 2022