Hardcastle Crags. 201 



ceases, winter or summer. Here and there great masses 

 of rock thrust out their shoulders, as if to bar the way, 

 but the path is always broad and good, until we descend 

 to the river-side, where it becomes somewhat broken. 

 If we please, we may cross the stream by means of a 

 row of stepping-stones, but it is better to follow the path 

 along the margin, and below the trees, (where we are 

 strongly reminded of Bolton Abbey woods,) and to use 

 the bridge at Lord-Holme mill a place where Brad- 

 ford goods are manufactured. Arrived at the mill, we 

 continue by the carriage-way, through a plantation, and 

 soon reach the Crags, which consist of singular masses 

 of rock, reared up higher than the trees, and insulated 

 at considerable distances. A long afternoon may be 

 well spent in the examination of them and of the sur- 

 rounding objects, everything being here that a lover of 

 nature can desire. 



The best way to return is by the broad path on the 

 eastern side of the river, this being not only shorter and 

 easier, but giving entirely different views. An hour-and- 

 a-halfs walk on the one side, or going, and less than an 

 hour's return-walk to Hebden Bridge, will cover the 

 whole distance. Visitors can go the whole way, if they 

 prefer, in a vehicle, and then the run to the Crags is 

 accomplished in twenty minutes or so ; and, if time be 

 an object, the carriage-way can, of course, be taken by 

 pedestrians, both for the ascent and the coming back. 

 But the Hebden Bridge extremity of it is rather tedious. 



