CTC British Road Book Vol. 6
Contents
- The editor F. B. Sandford explains the Bartholomew maps drawn to five miles to the inch, complains that no department of touring needs improvement so much as the catering at English inns, and notes the market days and the reversible page layout adopted for the routes.
- Introduces the Cyclists' Touring Club, founded in 1878 and under Royal Patronage from 1910, describing it as one of the largest institutions of its kind in the world and setting out its membership and subscription terms.
- Provides the key to the abbreviations used throughout the route descriptions, such as those for road, bridge, church, castle, cathedral, and the various guidebooks referenced.
- Describes the road south from Carlisle through Penrith and over Shap summit (1,304 ft., the roughest part in England of the west main route) to Kendal, Lancaster, Preston and Warrington, ending at Lower Whitley and Tarporley in Cheshire.
- Runs east from Liverpool through Runcorn and Northwich, then by Congleton and Leek and through Ashbourne to Derby.
- Called the best route to Warrington: from Liverpool by Roby and Warrington to Knutsford, then a fine main road by Holmes Chapel to Newcastle-under-Lyme.
- A connecting link between Routes 1 and 3, running from Stretton by Frandley, Marston and Middlewich to Talke in the Staffordshire potteries district.
- Runs from Chorley through Walkden, Manchester and Stockport, then by Hazel Grove and Buxton past Haddon Hall and Rowsley to Belper and Derby.
- Crosses from Skipton, 'capital of Craven', by Colne, Nelson, Burnley and Accrington to Blackburn, then by Preston and Kirkham to the Lancashire coast at Blackpool.
- Runs from Langho Church through Blackburn and Bolton by Dunscar and Astley Bridge into Manchester at Pendleton.
- Leads from Whalley (ancient church and Cistercian abbey) through Accrington, Bury and Manchester, then by Withington, Wilmslow and Congleton to Talke.
- Runs from Hazel Grove through Macclesfield, Bosley and Leek by Cheddleton toward Rough Close on the Cheshire-Staffordshire border.
- Connects Burnley with Whitworth, Rochdale and Oldham and continues by Royton to Gee Cross.
- One of the finest moorland routes, reaching 1,080 ft. on Featherbed Moss: Sheffield by Ashopton to Glossop, then through Manchester and Eccles to Hollinfare, Warrington and Prescot into Liverpool.
- Leads from Whaley Bridge by Peak Forest, Eyam and Calver to Baslow in the Peak District and on to Chesterfield.
- A hilly but delightful run through some of the prettiest parts of Derbyshire from Sheffield by Hathersage to Whaley Bridge, then by Macclesfield and Congleton to Crewe.
- Crosses from Castleton by Sparrowpit and Fairfield through Buxton and Allgreave to Congleton in Cheshire.
- Pretty but severe: Sheffield by Fox House and Grindleford to Buxton, then over Axe Edge (only for the hardy) by Leek and Endon to Newcastle-under-Lyme.
- A cross route from Dronfield past Holmesfield church and Owlerbar along the delightful Froggatt Edge to Fox House Hotel, called an excellent centre for tourists.
- Runs south from the Newhaven Inn past Alsop-in-the-Dale and Tissington to Ashbourne (St. Oswald's church and the Boothby monument), then by Rocester to Uttoxeter.
- The easiest climb south-west out of Sheffield, by Beauchief and Owlerbar to Baslow (for Chatsworth), Bakewell and Haddon Hall, and on to the Newhaven Inn.
- Runs from Chesterfield through Matlock and on to Ashbourne, with a preferred western alternative from Cromford that is three miles longer.
- A most attractive and fairly level ride down the Eden valley from Penrith by Kirkby Stephen and Nateby, then past Pendragon Castle to Hawes, Wensley, Jervaulx and Masham to Ripon.
- A most interesting route, especially if Fountains Abbey is included: Ripon by Harrogate and Harewood to Leeds, then by Wakefield, Barnsley and Sheffield to Alfreton, Ripley and Derby.
- Leads from Bowness-on-Solway by Kirkbride and Wigton through Caldbeck and Hesket Newmarket to Liscow in Cumberland.
- A gradual climb from the Cumberland coast at Silloth by Aspatria and Bothel Crags to Keswick, then by Thirlspot, Ambleside and Windermere to Kendal.
- Leads from Kendal by Kirkby Lonsdale (fine old church and the grand Lune bridge) and Clapham to Settle, Skipton and Keighley, then by Shipley and Bradford to Wakefield.
- Runs from Coniston by Hawkshead and the Windermere ferry (which carries coaches) through the delightful Winster valley to Levens Bridge and Crooklands; reversed it is called one of the best entrances to Lakeland from the south.
- Follows Wharfedale from Skipton by Draughton and Addingham to Ilkley (Old Well House, Saxon crosses, Cow and Calf rocks), then over Bramhope to Leeds.
- Runs from Ripley, with its village stocks, by Otley and Bradford to Brighouse, then crosses the 'backbone of England' by Huddersfield, Meltham and the Isle of Skye Inn through Stalybridge to Manchester.
- Runs from Harrogate by Pannal and Pool to Bradford and Halifax; the direct road given is somewhat severe and unattractive near Bradford, with a moorland alternative by Leathley.
- Takes the direct 'Whitehall' road from Leeds to Halifax and Ripponden, over Blackstone Edge to Rochdale and Bury, then by Westhoughton, Hindley, St. Helens and Prescot into Liverpool.
- Runs from Leeds by Birstall and the Three Nuns Inn (with Kirklees Priory and Patrick Bronte's Hartshead nearby) to Huddersfield, New Delph, Oldham and Manchester, then by Altrincham, Lymm and Frodsham to Chester.
- Crosses from Huddersfield by Honley and New Mill over Langsett to Sheffield; the gradients favour this direction and it is prettier than the road by Penistone.
- A shorter but less pretty crossing from Huddersfield by Shepley, Penistone and Wortley to Sheffield, with a by-road alternative avoiding Thurgoland Bank.
- Runs from Huddersfield (statue of Peel, South Africa monument in Greenhead Park) over Grange Moor to Barnsley, with an easier alternative down the Colne and Calder valleys.
- A short cross route from Grange Moor by Horbury into Wakefield.
- Crosses the backbone of England from Barnsley by Penistone and Holmfirth to Oldham, then by Middleton, Worsley, Astley and Leigh through Newton-le-Willows to St. Helens.
- Runs from Wakefield, with its 247 ft. cathedral spire and the chantry on Calder Bridge, through Dewsbury and Mirfield past the Three Nuns Inn and Elland to the paper mills at Ripponden.
- A short link from Batley through Birstall to Birkenshaw.
- Runs from Leeds by Armley and Bradford through the Bronte country at Thornton, Haworth and Stanbury to Colne, a very old manufacturing town.
- Runs west from Scotch Corner by Redmire to Hardraw, then crosses the Pennine watershed at the Moorcock to Sedbergh and Kendal; the direct road is practically superseded by the Swaledale line of Route 46.
- A very severe Furness route from Kendal by Backbarrow and Greenodd to Ulverston and Swarthmoor, then by Dalton and Lindal to Barrow; local riders prefer the Levens Hall road.
- Runs from Newcastleton, locally 'Copshawholm', down the Liddel by Pentonbridge and Longtown through Westlinton and Kingstown to Carlisle.
- Crosses from Longtown by Newtown, where the Roman Wall is met, and Brampton to Alston, then over one of the finest moorland routes by High Force and Middleton to Barnard Castle, Scotch Corner and Catterick Bridge.
- Takes the historic Pennine pass from Appleby by Coupland and Brough to Bowes and Rokeby; there is no charge for the Fox Tower or Bowes Castle.
- Follows the Roman Wall west from Newcastle by Heddon, Rudchester and Chollerford to Sewing Shields and Borcovicus (Housesteads), past Crag Lough and Peel Crag, then by Greenhead and Brampton to Carlisle.
- A more level but industrial colliery-village route from Newcastle by Scotswood, Blaydon, Prudhoe and Hexham to Haydon Bridge, then by Bardon Mill, Haltwhistle and Warwick to Carlisle.
- A fine route for hardy riders from Haydon Bridge past Langley Castle over Alston to Melmerby and Langwathby, then by Pooley Bridge to Patterdale and over Kirkstone Pass (1,500 ft.) to Bowness and Grange-over-Sands.
- Suitable only for hardy cyclists: Newcastleton by Sorbietrees and Bewcastle to Brampton, then by Cumrew, Renwick and Long Marton to Appleby, passing Long Meg and under Cross Fell (2,930 ft.).
- A moorland road, rough in parts and rising to a 1,123 ft. summit, from Appleby by Orton and Tebay into Kendal.
- Runs from Brampton Station by Farlam and Armathwaite past Castle Carrock and Greystoke to Ullswater.
- Diverges from Route 1 south of Shap for Orton, Ravenstonedale and Nateby up the Lune valley, then follows a very rough and solitary mountain route by Keld, Muker and Reeth down Swaledale to Richmond.
- An improved but rough route with watersplashes over the Stang from Barnard Castle by Langthwaite and Reeth to Grinton and Redmire, suited chiefly to enthusiasts.
- A fine moorland road from Middleton in Teesdale (Winch Bridge and High Force nearby) by Grains o' the Beck to Brough and Kirkby Stephen, then by Cautley, Sedbergh, Casterton and Hornby to Lancaster.
- A pretty and quiet road from Lancaster past Ashton Hall and Thurnham (for Cockersand Abbey) to the tidal sands at Pilling and on to St. Anne's.
- Runs south of the Roman Wall from Carlisle by Burgh-by-Sands and Kirkbride to Abbey Town and Silloth; the Wigton road of Routes 53 and 51 is called the better line.
- Traverses the old Royal Forest of Inglewood from Abbey Town by Wigton, Red Dial and Rosley to Sebergham and Penrith, with views of the Lakeland mountains.
- Runs from Allonby, the quaint seaside place Dickens described in 'The Two Idle Apprentices', by West Newton and Aspatria over the very fine Caldbeck moors to Skelton.
- Follows the Solway shore from Carlisle by Newby Cross, Thursby and Wigton through Aspatria to Maryport, with fine views of Criffel (1,866 ft.) in Scotland.
- Runs from Thursby past Highmoor Tower and Red Dial to Cockermouth (Bridekirk church has a fine font) and on to Distington.
- Runs from Penrith by Penruddock and Threlkeld under Saddleback to Keswick, then over Whinlatter Pass by Braithwaite to Cockermouth.
- Leads from Maryport by Dearham (Norman door and 'Kenneth' shaft) and Cockermouth up to Rannerdale and Buttermere, then by Seatoller and Borrowdale to Keswick.
- A short branch taking in Crummock Water and the road to Whitehaven.
- Runs from Cockermouth by the Beehive Inn and Kirkland to Ennerdale Bridge and Seascale; the level main road goes west through Egremont, with the Gosforth road advised for Seascale.
- A rough country route from Carlisle by Cummersdale and Dalston through the ancient royal forest of Inglewood, with fair scenery from Rose Castle to Ullswater.
- A pretty ride from Silloth by Allonby to Maryport, then through the industrial district by Hensingham, Egremont, Gosforth, Ravenglass and Bootle under Black Combe to Millom.
- Called the easiest route from Kendal: Levens Bridge by Lindale and Grange-over-Sands through Haverthwaite and Grizebeck to Broughton, past bridges with their names cut into the stone.
- The old coach road from Ambleside by Skelwith Bridge over Wrynose and Hardknott to Cockley Beck and Ravenglass, difficult going west and cruel coming east; note the Three Shires Stone, Hard Knott Camp and Dalegarth Force.
- A branch from Cockley Beck down the Duddon valley to Ulpha.
- Runs from Wasdale, a famous climbing centre near Wastwater, by Santon Bridge and Broughton to Barrow, over Furness roads whose frequent hogs-backs are severe on cyclists.
- Runs from Ambleside by Skelwith and Yewdale to Coniston, under the Old Man, and on by Torver to Lowick.
- An alternative by Hawkshead Hill and Brantwood, Ruskin's home, with the Ruskin Museum at Coniston, past the Lake Bank Hotel and its summer gondola to Lowick Bridge.
- Not a main road but interesting and fairly level, with ancient settlements: Penrith by Cliburn and Orton to Tebay, then down the Lune past the Roman camp at Low Borrow Bridge to Sedbergh, Dent and Newby Head.
- Runs from Hawes over Newby Head past Chapel-le-Dale under Ingleborough to Ingleton and High Bentham; the surface was very bad but is improving.
- Daylight is essential on this crossing from Brough by Barras and Stonedale over the Buttertubs to Thwaite and Oughtershaw, then by Deepdale and Kettlewell down Wharfedale past Grassington to Beamsley.
- Runs from the small hamlet of Halton Gill down Littondale by Litton and Threshfield to Bolton Abbey and Addingham Station; the limestone roads are powdery when dry and pasty when wet, and cycles may not traverse the Bolton Woods.
- A rough track over high ground for pioneers, from Arncliffe by Darnbrook House and Malham to Coniston Cold, best ridden north to south.
- A short link from Hellifield by Gisburn to Nelson.
- Runs from Addingham by Steeton and Keighley over Denholme and Halifax to Elland and Huddersfield, though the best through road from Keighley is by Brighouse.
- Runs from Lancaster and Morecambe over sixteen miles of wild moorland through the Trough of Bowland, with no refreshments and many gates, to the very pretty Whitewell and down the Ribble valley to Whalley.
- Follows the much-admired Hodder valley from Whalley into the industrial district by Burnley, Todmorden, Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd to Halifax.
- A faint-track route from Malham Tarn by Sannet Hall and Helwith Bridge to Bentham and Carnforth, with alternatives by Crooklands for Arnside or by Burton and Arkholme.
- Fine scenery on country roads from Ribble Head Station by Stainforth and Settle to Sawley, then by Grindleton, Waddington, Longridge and Preston to Longton, with mountain ascents on the way.
- Runs from Longton by Tarleton, Croston and Rufford to Ormskirk, then by Maghull, Aintree and Walton into Liverpool.
- Runs from Harrogate past Beaver Dike reservoir and Skipton to West Marton, then by Gisburn, Chatburn and Clitheroe past Whalley and Ribchester to Preston.
- Runs from Ripon by Pateley Bridge, Greenhow and Grassington to Cracoe, then over a little-used pass by Winterburn and Hellifield to Dunsop Bridge; adventurers should start early.
- Runs from Longridge, a centre for the Fell, Stonyhurst College and Ribchester, by Bilsborrow and St. Michael's-on-Wyre through Poulton-le-Fylde to Blackpool.
- A somewhat rough and narrow route from Carperby in Wensleydale by Aysgarth and Cray into Wharfedale, generally considered the finest dale in Yorkshire, and by Cracoe to Skipton.
- Only for hardy riders: a very steep and stony track from Marske down Swaledale, the deepest and narrowest valley in North Yorkshire, by Middleham and Bradley to Kettlewell.
- Runs from Wensley in cheerful Wensleydale by Carlton over into Nidderdale for Pateley Bridge and the curiously shaped Brimham Rocks, ending at Ripley.
- A straight rough ride from Masham by Kirkby Malzeard and Wilsill to Dacre, then winding through the Washburn valley to Otley; severe gradients and a full map are desirable.
- Runs from Whalley by Blackburn, Riley Green and Bretherton to Crossens and Southport, then by Churchtown and Formby into Liverpool; the more interesting line is by Scarisbrick, Lydiate Hall and Sefton church.
- Runs from Southport by Scarisbrick to Ormskirk, over Scarth Hill (250 ft.) and on to St. Helens and Bold Heath.
- Runs from Ormskirk by Westhead, Skelmersdale and Wigan through Tyldesley and Atherton to Pendleton; cyclists are advised to take the train east of Wigan.
- Runs from Burnley by Dunnockshaw, Bradshaw and Bolton to Leigh, then past Chat Moss, crossed by George Stephenson's railway in 1829, and by Glazebury to Northwich and Tarporley.
- Crosses fine moorland from Barnsley by Silkstone and Woodhead to attractive Mottram and Gee Cross, then by Stockport, Altrincham and Northwich past Delamere Forest and Kelsall Brow to Chester.
- A short crossing from Ripponden by Denshaw into Oldham.
- An unattractive route with severe summits and paved town streets, from Blackburn by Haslingden and Rochdale over to Delph (1,094 ft. summit) and Uppermill.
- Runs from Lees by Oxenhope and Hebden Bridge to Rochdale, then by Castleton, Middleton and Slattocks into Manchester.
- A level and attractive Cheshire ride from Wilmslow by Lindow and Over Peover to Middlewich and Nantwich.
- A pleasant Cheshire ride from Frodsham by Overton, whose restored Norman church gives a fine view of the Mersey, and Salterswall to Over, Crewe and Weston.
- Another Cheshire ride, from Whaley Bridge by Pott Shrigley, with its monument to the Downes family, to Knutsford and Whitley Corner.
- A typical Cheshire ride of much interest to antiquarians, from Pott Shrigley by Bollington and Prestbury through Siddington to Sandbach.
- Skirts Manchester to the south from Farnworth by Didsbury and Stockport to Marple and Hayfield, on the verge of the Derbyshire moors, which are excellent for walking and some climbing.
- A most severe route suited only to hardy pass-stormers, from Honley by Holmfirth to Glossop and Chapel-en-le-Frith, leading to the grandest Derbyshire scenery.
- An upland route with sharp rises and falls from Buxton by London Road to Ashbourne and Sudbury, running parallel to Dovedale, famous in Walton's 'Compleat Angler'.
- Runs from Buxton by Rainow and Macclesfield past Monks Heath and Chelford to Lach Dennis, then by Davenham and Weaverham to Kingsley, and includes probably the longest fall in England.
- Runs from Altrincham by Ringway, Wilmslow and Prestbury to Macclesfield and on to Allgreave.
- Runs from Belper, whose cotton mills were erected by the Strutt family in 1775, by Turnditch and Hulland over Cross o' th' Hands to Ashbourne, then by Forsbrook to Cheadle through George Eliot's country.
- A rough and severe road from Bakewell by Monyash and Warslow to Upper Tean, with Lathkil Dale, the restful Longnor and Dovedale all within reach.
- Runs from Stretton by Tansley, Matlock and Winster to the Newhaven Inn, then by Pikehall, Hartington and Hulme End to Leek.
- A most interesting ride from the Derwent reservoirs by Bamford and Calver to Bakewell and Winster and on to Wirksworth, with Chatsworth and Haddon Hall easily visited.
- Runs from Glossop by Marple and Poynton to Hazel Grove, then past Alderley Edge and Jodrell Bank to Holmes Chapel.
- Runs from Bleak Hey Nook by Mossley and Reddish through Heaton Chapel to Didsbury, then by Hale Carr to Mere Corner.
- A fine Cheshire ride with few hills from Chester by Tarvin and Tarporley to Nantwich, then by Keele and Trentham past the pottery towns to Uttoxeter, where Dr. Johnson attended market, and by Sudbury to Derby.
- A short run from Wardgate by Kedleston into Derby.
- The Isle of Man east-coast road from the Point of Ayre and Ramsey past Lonan church and the Dhoon to Quarter Bridge outside Douglas and on to Port Erin.
- Climbs from Ramsey over Snaefell to Cronk-ny-Mona and Douglas; riders are told to observe the profile, examine their brakes and estimate the risks, and to beware the zigzags approaching Ramsey.
- Crosses the Isle of Man from Peel by St. John's to Douglas.
- A good, hilly and interesting Manx road from Ramsey by Sulby and Ballaugh through Kirkmichael and Ballacraine to Castletown, with excursions to Tynwald, St. Barrule, Sulby Glen, Bishop's Court and Glen Helen.
- Gazetteer notes on the chief towns and lake districts along the routes, from Barnard Castle and Buxton to Carlisle, Coniston, Dovedale, the Isle of Man, Manchester, Penrith and Sheffield, with references to Baddeley's Thorough Guides and the C.T.C. Cyclists' Guide to the English Lakes.
- An index, restricted mainly to places actually on the routes described but with nearby places of interest added, in which all numbers refer to routes and Isle of Man names are listed separately.