Autumn means shorter days but often beautiful ones, with dazzling leaf colour and when the leaves are off, even better views, excellent for short day riverside walks on the Dales Way. If you make use of public transport, you can park, catch the bus and walk along the Dales Way back to the car – or better still go all the way by bus and train and enjoy that well-earned pint at the end.
This works especially well in Wharfedale, with the all-year Sunday 874 DalesBus running between Leeds, Ilkley, Bolton Abbey, Grassington and Buckden, and Monday to Saturday Upper Wharfedale Venturer service between Grassington and Buckden, but note that from October 28th the Saturday Pride of the Dales service 74 between Ilkley, Bolton Abbey and Grassington will cease to operate.
However from then there will be a new Friday NYCC 74A service between Ilkley and Grassington, so that you’ll be able to reach the Bolton Abbey, and Burnsall areas on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from Ilkley and Grassington.
Remember too that the Western Dales S1 service between Dent Station, (meeting trains from Leeds) Dent village and Sedbergh runs on Saturdays all year, so another great opportunity for autumn days in Dentdale. Details of all these services are all in the Metro DalesBus timetable or log on to www.dalesbus.org.
West Winds open for Autumn
Finally, great news that our friends Lyn and Steve at West Winds Tea Shop in Buckden have decided this year to stay open daily until the end of October and at weekends throughout November especially for Dales Way walkers. This is especially appropriate given that the other tea shop and café in Buckden has now closed, and the Buck Inn is also currently closed – though it is expected to reopen soon.
Colin Speakman
Dales Way News 