Kilns, Caves and Waterfalls all within a stones throw of Settle, I was idly trawling through the pages of the web looking for something worth visiting, one eye on the screen the other on the rain lashing down outside, (looks like summers here), when I came across a picture on Dave and Edith Browns web-site contributed by Colin and Ann Ainsworth, The Hoffmann Kiln, Wow! I didn't think places like this existed anymore, both eyes on the screen I had to find out more, It looked like I would be walking through the Craven Lime Works, industrial archeology at it's best.

Parking in Settle I headed up Constitution Hill to follow the finger post directing me to Langcliffe, through the village to cross the B6479 to join a well trod path between dry stone walls on route for Langcliffe High Mill, (shown on the map as mill) next by way marked paths I reached the crossing of the river at Langcliffe Place, a mile and a half of delightful riverside paths brought me to Stainforth Force, a double fall where the River Ribble crashes into Stainforth Gorge, a Packhorse bridge spans the river here, I crossed and followed the lane to Stainforth, just south of the village, opposite Taitlands a finger post directed me to Langcliffe, no mention of the drama of the Craven Lime Works passed on route, half an hour walking through the fields of Ribblesdale brought me to one of Yorkshires green lanes, (an easy return can be made from here) I turned left to negotiate the steep ascent to Upper Winskill where a short diversion was made to Catrigg Force, retracing my steps I headed for the fell lane, followed by an ascent into the high valley of Warrendale to explore the caves in the limestone cliffs of Attermire and Langcliffe Scars, from under the cliffs of Attermire Scar the path turned west, a short climb in the shadow of Warrendale Knotts then the steep descent back to Settle and the delights of the Ye Old Naked Man Cafe.

Kilns, Caves and Waterfalls.

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On high ground with views across Settle.
   
Looking to Langcliffe in the Ribble Valley.
   
Approaching Langcliffe Quarry.
   
Across the mill pond, Langcliffe High Mill, one of Yorkshires earliest and largest spinning mills, built by Clayton and Walshman in 1783-84.
   
Following the river upstream, the dramatic spectacle of Stainforth Force.
   
Crossing the fields near Stainforth Tunnel, looking to Taitlands built in the Greek revival style, this small mansion house (for many years a youth hostel) was owned by Thomas Redmayre one of Yorkshires mill owners with interests in quarrying.
   
Views back to Stainforth, note the field system above the village.
   
This building contained a giant winding wheel, coal for burning in the Murgatroyd Lime Works was brought up the Inclined plane and limestone for building and ballast was lowered down to the railway below.
   
The Tramway.
   
This is only one half of the Hoffmann Kiln, lime burning on an industrial scale, built in 1873 for the Craven Lime Company the kiln contained 22 individual burning chambers, three and a half million fire bricks were used, backed by limestone ballast to retain the heat. Limestone was burned in a circuit round the kiln, it took six weeks for a full circuit, it finally closed in 1939.
   
Spencer Kiln built between 1900-1907 had firing chambers made of huge steel plates, stone buttresses supported the gantries on which the limestone and coal were hauled, this kiln produced a much purer lime than the Hoffmann Kiln, used for the last time in 1927.
   
Looking up the inclined plane to what remains of the Spencer Kiln.
   
I have now climbed above Langcliffe Quarry, passing by Upper Winskill on route to Catrigg Force, here's a shot of Ingleborough taken just before the descent to Catrigg Force.
   
Surrounded by trees the twenty foot cascade of Catrigg Force.
   
After crossing Winskill Stones and the fell road the twin entrances to Jubilee Cave were reached
   
Under the cliffs of Langcliffe Scar, Victoria Cave.
   
Looking back across the limestone cliffs of Attermire and Langcliffe Scars.
   
The spectacular limestone towers of Warrendale Knotts.
   
Seen across Warrendale Knotts the cliffs of Attermire Scar.
   
Strolling down Constitution Hill, just round the corner the Ye Old Naked Man Cafe, time for a brew.
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