Discover the Serene Beauty of Lumb Falls

Nestled in the picturesque Crimsworth Dean, Lumb Falls is a hidden gem that offers a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. This stunning waterfall, with its cascading waters and lush green surroundings, is a popular destination for nature lovers and photographers alike.

Why Visit Lumb Falls?

• Natural Beauty: The falls are surrounded by breathtaking scenery, including towering trees, vibrant foliage, and crystal-clear streams.
• Peaceful Atmosphere: The serene ambiance of the area makes it the perfect place to relax and unwind.
• Photo Opportunities: The picturesque setting provides endless opportunities for capturing stunning photos.

Tips for Your Visit:

• Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer are ideal times to visit, when the water flow is at its peak.
• Wear Appropriate Footwear: The path to the falls can be slippery, so it's important to wear sturdy footwear.
• Respect the Environment: Please leave no trace and avoid disturbing the natural habitat.
• Bring a Camera: Capture the beauty of the falls and the surrounding area.

How to Get There:

Lumb Falls is located in Crimsworth Dean, a short drive from the town of Hebden Bridge. There is ample parking available near the trailhead as Crimsworth Dean is found in the same National Trust managed woodland as Hardcastle Crags. The walk to the falls is relatively short and easy, approx. 1.7 miles from Midgehole, making it suitable for families with children although people with limited walking abilities may struggle.

So, if you're looking for a peaceful escape into nature, be sure to add Lumb Falls to your list of must-visit destinations.

The pictures below were taken in September 2016 with a Nikon d3300, clicking on any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Clickasnap and Photo4Me using the links below. Your support means a lot!

All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Unveiling History: A Dawn Walk at Baitings Dam

The sun began its slow ascent over the moorland, painting the sky in a blaze of gold and orange. The air, still cool from the night, held the promise of another warm day. But this wasn't just any sunrise; this was a moment of revelation at Baitings Dam, a reservoir that had, for a brief time, relinquished its hold on a forgotten piece of history.

Constructed to quench the thirst of Wakefield, Baitings Dam stands as a testament to human ingenuity. Completed in 1956 after eight years of arduous work and a cost of £1.4 million, it's the higher of two dams that harness the flow of the River Ryburn. Its lower sibling, Ryburn Dam, built in 1933, shares the task of supplying water to the city.

But with its completion came a bittersweet sacrifice: a small hamlet named Baitings was submerged beneath its rising waters. And with it, an ancient packhorse bridge, a vital link between the historic counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire, was lost to sight. Or so it seemed.

As I arrived on the morning of August 19th, 2022, the low water level—a result of the summer's heat—had performed a spectacular act of unveiling. The exposed, cracked earth of the reservoir bed stretched out before me, a stark contrast to the shimmering water that remained. And there, revealed in all its stoic glory, stood the old packhorse bridge.

For decades, this bridge has been a ghostly landmark, its existence a matter of local lore. While sensationalized reports claimed its first appearance in over 50 years, locals know better. This was not a unique event, but rather a more frequent occurrence in recent years, a consequence of the recurring summer heatwaves that are becoming the new norm in the UK. I’ve seen it at least three times in the last few years alone.

Standing by its side is a more modern successor: the concrete structure of Back O'th Heights Bridge. This bridge, with its sturdy pillars reaching down to the current waterline, offers a powerful visual lesson. The tell tale marks just beneath the road level show just how high the water can rise, a humbling reminder of the dam’s true capacity. When full, Baitings Dam holds an astounding 113 million cubic feet of water, or over 700 million gallons.

The River Ryburn, born from the run-off of the surrounding moorland, begins its journey here, flowing down the valley to eventually meet the River Calder at Sowerby Bridge, about six miles away. The dam is an integral part of this local landscape, and seeing it in this state of low ebb offered a unique perspective on its scale and the history it holds.

As the sun fully crested the horizon, its light caught the water's surface, creating a dazzling golden path that led directly to the rising sun. The pylon lines, a modern addition to the landscape, stretched across the sky, their silhouettes a stark line against the brilliant morning light. It was a beautiful, almost surreal scene.

For a photographer, Baitings Dam in this state is a dream. Every detail, from the cracked earth to the exposed foundations of the modern bridge and the newly visible old packhorse bridge, tells a story. And on this particular morning, using my Nikon d3300, I had the privilege of capturing a few chapters of that story as it unfolded under the golden light of a new day.

Clicking any of the images below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

The tide marks underneath Back O'th Heights Bridge show the dams level when full.

The former bridge is submerged for most of the year, it's appearances becoming
more frequent in recent years.

The former bridge can be seen beyond it's replacement, this gives an idea of how low
the water level has dropped due to the recent dry weather.

The waterless back of the dam beyond the former bridge, the water level normally
hiding the river that feeds it.

I took this further up the A58 towards Rochdale, looking across the fields in the direction
of the bridges and Baitings Dam.

Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Clickasnap and Photo4Me using the links below. Your support means a lot!

All the images remain the copyright of Colin Green.