Cowling lies on the A6068 halfway between Keighley and Colne. The Pennine Way also runs from Cowling for 4½ miles (7 kilometres) through pastureland and moorland to Thornton-in-Craven. This provides both a clear road reference and a walking route with a named destination and terrain for planning your trip. The area's building and memorial history adds further local themes to this landscape focus.
Walking and navigation
A sign opposite the old mill points to the Pennine Way. The path heads north across fields and climbs steadily; the valley hollow of Stansfield Beck lies to the right. The direction, steady ascent and location of the valley hollow together give you a sense of the route. Check the waymarkers and field conditions before setting out.
A route totalling 3ÂĽ miles (5ÂĽ kilometres) runs south across Ickornshaw Moor and then southeast across Oakworth Moor. The sequence of directions is a helpful part of navigating: the southern section is followed by a southeastern one, and both moor names are part of the route. This helps you keep both the overall distance and the change in direction in mind when planning.
The route descriptions highlight different aspects: Thornton-in-Craven is named as the destination of the Pennine Way, with pastureland and moorland as its terrain; the southbound route is described by its total distance, two moor names and the turn southeast. This lets you compare one route by destination and terrain, and the other by length and sequence of directions.
Church and memorials
The Church of Holy Trinity was built in 1845 by R D Chantrell and is designed in the Perpendicular style. Perpendicular refers to an English architectural movement characterised by an emphasis on vertical lines; the style name adds a design feature to the building date and architect. This helps place the church in its historical and architectural context.
The Church of Holy Trinity has choir stalls dating from 1956, made in the workshop of Thompson of Kilburn. There is a gap of 111 years between the church's construction and the choir stalls. The building date and the later date of the choir stalls thus mark distinct points in the history of the church and its furnishings.
The Snowden Memorial is a memorial cairn built in 1937 from mortared sandstone rubble. Its 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 year of construction and the date of death are the same; the plaque also gives the exact day and his public titles and roles. The Lime Kiln at Wainmans Bottom is probably a draw kiln for burning lime dating from the late 18th century.
Discover more destinations: Willerby, Commondale, Lealholm, York, Grosmont, Hetton, Knaresborough, Ruswarp
For the main travel overview: North Yorkshire.
