Horton in Ribblesdale

This tiny village is an ideal centre for exploring the limestone landscapes, green hillsides, woods and caves of upper Ribblesdale.
Horton is one of the most popular stopping places for Pennine Way walkers, whose subsequent route northwards follows old tracks along the eastern side of Ribblesdale to High Birkwith and Cam High Road. The village stretches for half a mile along the road from the Church and Golden Lion Pub, to the bridges by the New Inn pub, near which, is a free car park, and toilets.

Horton's buildings are typical, and depict the advancements of housing in the dales. Yeomens' farmhouses of the late 17th century are at the edge of the village. Near the churchyard and New Inn are later cottages, whilst Victorian terraces reflect the coming of the railway in the 1870s. More recent are quarrymen's housing, built when the limestone quarries first scarred the slopes of Moughton, west of the railway, in about 1890, and which have greatly expanded since the1950's.

Eastward, the view is serene and challenging, dominated by the profile of Pen-y-ghent (2277 feet) it's summit about three miles from the village, and reached in one direction by the Pennine Way along Horton Scar Lane, which passes close to Hull Pot and Hunt Pot (huge chasms) on the way. The 'Three Peaks' challengers also like Horton as a start and finishing point.

St Oswald's Church, is a squat-towered monolith, with a Norman doorway and nave arcades. Lychgates to its churchyard are roofed with huge slabs of the ancient Horton slates.

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