The Bingley Bash
Local lockdown exploration
Summary
Bingley, West Yorkshire, my hometown, is where I have grown up and is situated in between Skipton, Leeds, and Bradford. It is only an hour’s drive into the Yorkshire Dales and 2 hours to the Lake District, the ideal location to explore I’d say. However, on January 5th, 2021 the UK was put into its 3rd lockdown, and strict rules were set in place where you can’t leave your area i.e., travel into the national parks unless you live there of course. Some have broken this rule, and some don’t believe they will be caught, which is a bit unfair as everyone is trying to do their bit and get through this lockdown together. I find it selfish and irresponsible. Like many others, I was gutted as I had recently resigned from my job, and venturing into the Dales would have seemed the perfect medicine to reflect on what I wanted from life. I didn’t want to stay at home, but looking out of my lounge window, I had to remember there is still plenty of beauty all around me and that the fells and parks will always be there.
I have to be patient.
The Hike
I have always explored further afield than what is on my doorstep but given the new rules, in terms of travelling outside of your area, I made the most of a bad situation and jumped at the opportunity to delve into my local surroundings. Where can I go near me? There is Baildon Moor, Shipley Glen, Ilkley Moor, Micklethwaite Moor, Gilstead Moor, St.Ives, Cottingley Woods, Goitstock Woods, the list goes on. There is quite a bit to go at and this is all on my front door! I could incorporate the whole lot in one hike if I wanted, but I decided against this, unsure as to how long we would be in lockdown for.
I set off from home, excited to seek out what I might discover. It was a crisp morning, as the sunshine rose high above the moor and glistened on the mossy, millstone grit walls. As I followed the walls, down towards the canal along the tranquil waters, I felt myself filling up with an overwhelming amount of joy. I was exploring on terrain that was all very familiar to me, but at the same time I took for granted on so many occasions. I reached my first ascent towards St.Ives, a woodland country park, filled with copious amounts of wooded areas, pine plantations, meadows, moorland and ponds. The pleasant sound of woodland creatures brought me a moment of joyous reflection, with views of the modest town of Bingley behind me, I was remembering times of when I used to come here as young lad.
I truly relished in the moment.
Onwards, through the woods, I emerged on Alter Lane that opened up onto expansive moorland that looked over into Keighley. From here onwards, the terrain beneath my feet was a complete washout. My boots squelched on thick peat and I lost my bearings a number of times; from time to time I was knee deep in the stuff. All the while, I was still enjoying the experience of discovering something new that was so close to my home. I found it amazing the number of paths and trails that remained unexplored to me; I was gobsmacked and felt quite taken back that I have never noticed the landscape before quite as much as when I wandered alone. Following this, the route brought me onto a long main road just past Hainworth. Luckily, I was able to navigate my way off the road onto some narrow paths, through farmers’ fields and past wondering animals. It was a bit of a shortcut, but the freedom of being able to roam and find new local terrain was great.
As I approached Cullingworth, the route headed up towards Manywell Heights along a steep rocky path. Upon arrival at the summit, I opened up onto a road that was all so familiar to me ‘Manywell brow’ crossing the road onto another unknown path that I have always wondered where does that go? I had a vague idea that it would lead me towards ‘Goit Stock’ waterfall in Harden, a waterfall I used to jump off when I was younger! Madness.
A little over halfway, I thought it was a good time to refuel and have a quick pit stop before the last stretch of the journey. However, unknown to me, this was the best part as I explored further towards Cottingley woods and hiked my way through the towering pine trees that captivated me from all angles. Along the way, I passed ‘The Ruin’ which was built as an eye-catcher on an outcrop of rock high up above the valley of the Harden Beck.
Onwards, onto the golf course and towards Bingley, I decided to make one last pit stop, which was the iconic five rise locks along the Leeds & Liverpool Canal which is where my journey ended. My feet were killing me, as I walked the last couple of miles along the canal towards home. I felt a sense of euphoria almost as I made it back. It was a great feeling. I could not believe that I walked all that way, locally too. It felt like I had been miles away!
As a population, it seems that we always crave more than what is in front of our noses, we are quick to jump in our cars and go off to other areas other than home, and forget that beauty can be found outside of our front door. You just have to have an open mind.