Cowling: Pennine Way and Architectural History

Getting your bearings in Cowling

Cowling lies on the A6068, halfway between Keighley and Colne. For orientation, this location on the road can be distinguished from the walking routes described: it places the village between the two named towns, while the route descriptions specify particular landscapes and directions. If you choose Cowling as a destination, you can first get your bearings and then decide whether walking or architectural and commemorative history will be the focus of your stay.

Walking: routes, landscape and orientation

The Pennine Way runs from Cowling for 4½ miles (7 kilometres) through pastureland and moorland to Thornton-in-Craven. The starting point, destination and landscape of this section are thus all outlined. When choosing a route, note that this is a specific stretch with a named destination; the distance is also given in both miles and kilometres.

A sign opposite the old mill points to the Pennine Way. The path heads north across fields and climbs steadily; to the right lies the valley hollow of Stansfield Beck. The combination of direction, steady climb and valley hollow helps you follow the route described. Check the signs and conditions in the fields before setting out.

One route description gives a total distance of 3¼ miles (5¼ kilometres): it runs south across Ickornshaw Moor and then southeast across Oakworth Moor. By comparison, the Pennine Way description names Cowling and Thornton-in-Craven as its endpoints; the 3¼-mile description focuses on the sequence of moors and the directions. For planning, it therefore makes sense to consider distance, direction and landscape together, rather than comparing only the number of miles or kilometres.

Architectural history and remembrance

The Church of Holy Trinity adds architectural history to the walking themes. It was built in 1845 by R D Chantrell and designed in the Perpendicular style. The choir stalls date from 1956 and are attributed to the workshop of Thompson of Kilburn. The church and its choir stalls thus represent two historical layers from different dates. The style name also identifies the architectural classification, while the workshop attribution specifies the choir stalls. For travellers interested in cultural history, these offer two specific points of interest: the church’s design and the stated origin of the choir stalls.

The form, material and inscription of the Snowden Memorial should be considered separately. Erected in 1937, the memorial cairn is made of mortared sandstone rubble. An inset black stone plaque commemorates the death of Philip Snowden, 1st Viscount Snowden of Ickornshaw, on 15 May 1937; it describes him as a statesman and Chancellor of the Exchequer. The cairn and plaque thus provide different historical points of reference: the structure is described by its construction date and material, while the inscription gives a date, person and titles. For your plans, this memorial site adds an explicitly commemorative theme to the walking and architectural history.

Discover more destinations: Whenby, Crosby, Hunmanby, Settle, Low Row, Crathorne, Carlton Miniott, Brafferton

For the overall travel guide: North Yorkshire.