Pictures of Aysgarth

About Aysgarth

The ground rises sharply as you head towards this high upland village which is dominated by what are renowned as the prettiest falls in Yorkshire.

It is also famous for the ancient pack horse bridge which crosses the River Ure, it is from this bridge that visitors usually catch their first sight of the falls, here what up till now has been a gently flowing river seemingly goes wild, as rushing into a rocky, tree lined gorge it tumbles for over two hundred feet. It is a picturesque vista of sheer enchantment as the water flows over great rocky slabs and shelves of awe-inspiring size, until it reaches the valley below.

Yore Mill is another of Aysgarth's famous sights on the side of the River Ure. This grand old building is now a Carriage Museum, it is an ex-cotton mill of 1784, which is a grade II listed building covering three floors. Here visitors can see the finest range of horse drawn carriages and wagons in Europe.

The village is amidst some of Yorkshires wildest but most romantic countryside, it is a place which was much loved by James Herriot of "All Creatures Great and Small" fame, and it is said he regularly tramped these hills, particularly with his children when they where quite young. Looking around it is easy to see just how this beautiful area casts its magic over everyone. The scenery is without equal and the air so pure, even after a torrent of rain when a little bit of gloom prevails across the river, there is still something exiting about it as rain drenched braches dip to meet the waters edge. Interestingly, the falls were used in the Kevin Costner film, Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves.

This small village is well used by walkers and fishermen. It offers a range of facilities including two public houses, a tea-room, and a small selection of gift shops. A recent additional attraction is the beautiful restored Edwardian Rock Garden which is open to the public free of charge.

The village church is noted, its roots are thought to lie deep in Saxon times, but the church we see today dates mostly from 1536 when it was extensively rebuilt. St.Andrew's church has a stunning tower enhanced with graceful pinnacles. Inside there are many treasures saved from Jervaulx Abbey, these include the Abbot's stall and a stunning rood screen. Outside, there are graves and tombs from past centuries, shaded by the branches of magnificent old trees.

Aysgarth is a special part of Yorkshire to which many people return year after year, go there once and you will find yourself captivated forever