Burnsall lies in the Yorkshire Dales National Park. The River Wharfe runs alongside the Village Green, with Burnsall Fell framing the village. Visitors can paddle in the river by the Green. The river and fell provide distinct landscape landmarks, and the routes also lead to different destinations. For planning, it is worth distinguishing these routes by their course and character.
Routes by the Wharfe and the Fell
The Dales Way passes through Burnsall. Between Burnsall and Loup Scar, there is a 700 m stretch that is well surfaced and flat. This section also has two cattle gates, which can be difficult for scooters. So if you are assessing the section for a scooter, take these two gates into account as well as the level surface. Along this stretch, walkers can spot pied wagtails, grey wagtails, dippers, common sandpipers and oystercatchers.
Another walking route, “Burnsall and Thorpe”, follows the River Wharfe to Linton Falls. Burnsall is also on the Way of the Roses long-distance cycle route. These named routes have different focuses: the Dales Way runs between Burnsall and Loup Scar along the section described, “Burnsall and Thorpe” has Linton Falls as its destination, and the Way of the Roses is the cycle route associated with Burnsall. When choosing, you can therefore consider whether a particular stretch, a specific riverside destination or a long-distance cycle route matters most to you.
The Burnsall Classic has its own focus, too. This fell race covers 1.5 miles to the summit of 386 m-high Burnsall Fell and back. This is a different kind of route description from the Dales Way section: here, distance, summit height and the return route are central, while on the Dales Way, the surface, cattle gates and opportunities for birdwatching are important points of reference. When comparing activities, it is therefore not just the distance that matters, but also whether you are looking for a fell race or a walking route.
Local history and listed buildings
St Wilfrid’s Church stands at the northern end of Burnsall. It was founded by St Wilfrid of Ripon before AD 700; there is an exhibition on local Viking history at the back. Burnsall Bridge is a Grade II listed building. Burnsall Primary School is also a Grade II listed building. It occupies the original grammar school building, dating from 1602. The dates mentioned thus range from the church’s foundation before AD 700 to the school building from 1602. Together, the church, exhibition, bridge and school offer different points of connection with local history.
Getting here by bus
From Skipton, you can reach Burnsall by taking bus 72 to Grassington and then changing to a bus to Burnsall. Check the route details before travelling. If you choose to travel by bus, the change at Grassington is an important part of planning your journey. The connection consists of two legs with one change, not a direct bus journey to Burnsall. This helps you plan your journey alongside the walks and local points of interest without confusing the bus connection with one of the walking routes.
Discover more destinations: Bentham, Muker, Bradley, Tadcaster, Settle, Huby, Kettlewell, Spofforth.
For the wider travel guide: North Yorkshire.
