Distance: 3.3 miles
Ascent: 500 ft
Walking: Andrew & Gaynor
Weather: Foggy with sunny spells, cool
OS Map: OL21 - South Pennines
Parking: Informal parking area, Back Lane, Stanbury
Photography: Andrew using Nikon D610 / Nikon 24-70 mm f2.8
The classic short walk up to the ruins of Top Withens Farm, the location believed to have inspired Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights, returning by the same route.
It's been a couple of weeks since I've been able to get out for a walk due to a combination of heavy rain, bad back and being unfurloughed but we were both determined to get out today, despite the thick fog that was blanketing our part of The Worth Valley. I fancied getting some atmospheric shots of Top Withens so we managed to bag the last parking space on Back Lane and set off up the track, where a farmer was busy clearing out the ditches and culverts and laying some recycled tarmac with his digger in preparation for the hard weather to come over the winter.
I'm keen to experience this walk in all types of weather because it's in credible how it alters the experience. On a clear day, it's the distant views that catch the eye but today, with the intermittently thick fog, I began to see details that I hadn't noticed before and it allowed me to focus on the beauty of the dry stone walls and colourful grasses.
By the time we reached Lower Withens, the ruins of Top Withens were clearly visible bathed in sunlight as we emerged from the fog. Reaching the top, there were quite a few visitors and we got talking to a lovely couple from Bradford who's kids were having a whale of a time running up and down the hill and clambering over the ruins. They complained loudly when it was time to go - probably just as much as they would have done if their parents had spent a fortune on a day out at a play centre or theme park.
I had a wander round taking photos while Gaynor carried on chatting and taking in the views in the beautiful hazy autumn sunshine. Suddenly, without warning, the fog descended and the temperature dropped like a stone so we decided to set off back down the hill.
I can't wait to get back up here when there's a bit of snow on the ground.
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