Rathmell Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Whelpstone Lodge The old farm house of Whelpstone Lodge. The track in the foreground leads to Owlshaw farm which is the white building in the distance to the left of the tree trunk. The farm track in the picture is officially in Yorkshire but on its short journey to Owlshaw briefly enters back into Lancashire officially. The county boundary being marked by a dry stone wall which the track passes through then after a short distance enters back into Yorkshire through the same wall line. There are no border guards or customs bureaucrats to hassle the free thinking, free roaming poets of the free wild fells. The border line here is part of the 'new'1974 boundary between the Red Rose county of Lancashire and the White Rose of Yorkshire, these being the dictates of control bureaucracies. The old boundary bit deep into the 'Red Rose' making Lancashire geographically resemble a wasps body! The extremity of the 'White Rose' bite was on the high fells of Bowland over looking the Irish sea which was just 9 miles west along SD51 grid line to the coast at Morecambe Bay. This old county boundary area was near 'Greave Clough Head' and 'White Moss' at 1520ft(464M) both being in SD5750. The western extremity of this former boundary is marked on the map as a mound at SD574509 just south of 'Johnny Pye's Clough Top'. Johnny Pye's Clough Top is in SD5751 which also lies on the old county boundary line marked by another mound a short distance towards the north east. A little further on still (NE) the trig point of 'Hawthornthwaite Fell Top' 1567ft (476M) SD579515 was on the former Lancashire/Yorkshire border. Many of us free spirits do not recognise these 'new' 1974 border lines and still refer to villages and places as being in the Red Rose or White rose counties of former times pre 74, even if it does make old Lancashire take the form of a wasps body. Also don't forget we Lancastrians had the south peninsulas of the Lake District dipping into the north of Morecambe Bay. But Yorkshire men and women are wary of us Lancashire folk because they know we have a damned good sting !
Whelpstone Lodge The old farm house of Whelpstone Lodge. The track in the foreground leads to Owlshaw farm which is the white building in the distance to the left of the tree trunk. The farm track in the picture is officially in Yorkshire but on its short journey to Owlshaw briefly enters back into Lancashire officially. The county boundary being marked by a dry stone wall which the track passes through then after a short distance enters back into Yorkshire through the same wall line. There are no border guards or customs bureaucrats to hassle the free thinking, free roaming poets of the free wild fells. The border line here is part of the 'new'1974 boundary between the Red Rose county of Lancashire and the White Rose of Yorkshire, these being the dictates of control bureaucracies. The old boundary bit deep into the 'Red Rose' making Lancashire geographically resemble a wasps body! The extremity of the 'White Rose' bite was on the high fells of Bowland over looking the Irish sea which was just 9 miles west along SD51 grid line to the coast at Morecambe Bay. This old county boundary area was near 'Greave Clough Head' and 'White Moss' at 1520ft(464M) both being in SD5750. The western extremity of this former boundary is marked on the map as a mound at SD574509 just south of 'Johnny Pye's Clough Top'. Johnny Pye's Clough Top is in SD5751 which also lies on the old county boundary line marked by another mound a short distance towards the north east. A little further on still (NE) the trig point of 'Hawthornthwaite Fell Top' 1567ft (476M) SD579515 was on the former Lancashire/Yorkshire border. Many of us free spirits do not recognise these 'new' 1974 border lines and still refer to villages and places as being in the Red Rose or White rose counties of former times pre 74, even if it does make old Lancashire take the form of a wasps body. Also don't forget we Lancastrians had the south peninsulas of the Lake District dipping into the north of Morecambe Bay. But Yorkshire men and women are wary of us Lancashire folk because they know we have a damned good sting !
Dubs Beck, Rathmell Seen looking downstream from the road bridge.
Photo by Humphrey Bolton (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Lane near Huggon, Rathmell. Looking towards Rathmell village from the end of the driveway to Huggon House and Green Farm. There is a milk churn stand on the right.
Photo by Humphrey Bolton (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
The lane through Lower Sheepwash, Rathmell Presumably there was a communal sheepwash here, perhaps next to Rathmell Beck, the two nearby farms took their names from it.
Photo by Humphrey Bolton (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Holiday Inn Lancaster by IHG

Holiday Inn Lancaster by IHG

4 out of 5
Caton Road Lancaster England
The price is NZ$133 per night from 1 Feb to 2 Feb
NZ$133
1 Feb - 2 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Lancaster. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,004 reviews)
Great

Reviewed on 17 Jan 2026

Holiday Inn Lancaster by IHG
Pine Lake Resort

Pine Lake Resort

4 out of 5
Dock Acres Carnforth England
The price is NZ$163 per night from 4 Feb to 5 Feb
NZ$163
4 Feb - 5 Feb
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Carnforth. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,430 reviews)
Excellent stay and great value for money. The staff were fantastic and very welcoming. The property offers great amenities, a lovely and convenient location, and the food was excellent. Overall, a really enjoyable stay and outstanding value for money.

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2026

Pine Lake Resort
The Oaks Hotel

The Oaks Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Colne Road Reedley Burnley England
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Burnley. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.4/10 Good! (826 reviews)
Pleasant stay . Hotel dated but staff and breakfast was very good . Used health club and pool , sauna, steam room and jacuzzi all very good .

Reviewed on 15 Dec 2025

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The Oaks Hotel
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pine Lake Resort

Pine Lake Resort

4 out of 5
Dock Acres Carnforth England
Stay at this spa aparthotel in Carnforth. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in their reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,430 reviews)
Excellent stay and great value for money. The staff were fantastic and very welcoming. The property offers great amenities, a lovely and convenient location, and the food was excellent. Overall, a really enjoyable stay and outstanding value for money.

Reviewed on 22 Jan 2026

Pine Lake Resort
Innovation House

Innovation House

3.5 out of 5
31 Oxford Rd Burnley England
Stay at this business-friendly aparthotel in Burnley. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Turf Moor and The Weavers' Triangle ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (81 reviews)
The room was lovely and clean and comfortable, we arrived and got a parking spot next to the hotel. Communication is excellent. Lighting on arrival so we could put the code into the building was fantastic. We were in the first room. It was modern with a lovely big bed, with a walk-in shower which ...

Reviewed on 11 Jan 2026

Innovation House
Charming Detached Completely Private Stone Built Open Plan Cosy Retreat For 2

Charming Detached Completely Private Stone Built Open Plan Cosy Retreat For 2

lancaster ENG
Stay at this cottage in Lancaster. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a garden and patios. Popular attractions Bentham Golf Club and The Ingleton Waterfalls Trail are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (181 reviews)
Property is lovely, has erything you would need. We stayed for a week and really enjoyed our stay. Lots of lovely villages only a short drive away and walks with the dogs straight from the doorstep. Great secure garden for the dogs with the sound of badgerford beck making it very relaxing, when you ...

Reviewed on 29 Dec 2025

Charming Detached Completely Private Stone Built Open Plan Cosy Retreat For 2
See all properties in Rathmell
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

A beautiful tarn and there is a circular walk to do to take it all in. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/malham-tarn-estate/trails/malham-tarn-upland-farm-circular-walk #LifeatExpedia

Malham Tarn

Commune with nature and explore the great outdoors at Malham Tarn during your travels in Malham Moor. Visit the top-notch restaurants or lively bars in this quaint area.

Malham Tarn

Settle Victoria Hall

You can enjoy a show at Settle Victoria Hall on your trip to Settle. Visit the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this culturally rich area.

Settle Victoria Hall

Settle Tourist Information Centre

Settle Tourist Information Centre is just one of the places to see in Settle, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Visit the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this quaint area.

Settle Tourist Information Centre

Gresgarth Hall Gardens

Explore the great outdoors at Gresgarth Hall Gardens, a lovely green space in Austwick. Visit the lively bars or top-notch restaurants in this relaxing area.

Gresgarth Hall Gardens

Ling Gill Nature Preserve

You can take time to visit Ling Gill Nature Preserve during your travels to Horton in Ribblesdale. While you're in the area, wander around the parks.

Ling Gill Nature Preserve

Scaleber Force Waterfall

You can find out about the history of Settle with a visit to Scaleber Force Waterfall. Discover the countryside and bars in this walkable area.

Scaleber Force Waterfall

Activities

The Tales from the Dales & Brontë Country from Manchester

The Tales from the Dales & Brontë Country from Manchester

NZ$133
per adult
The Tales from the Dales & Brontë Country from Manchester
Yorkshire Dales

Private Yorkshire Dales from Windermere in a 16 seater Mercedes

NZ$1,349
per traveller
Private Yorkshire Dales from Windermere in a 16 seater Mercedes
See all activities in Rathmell