PAST THE DEVIL'S ARROWS

 Just to the west of Ripon is Fountains Abbey, a ruin these days, thanks to Henry VIII. It's seen here from the River Skell.

Fountains Abbey remains in 1975.

A look around the ruins.

Fountains Hall is next door.

On the former line to Ripon, the NER station at Wormald Green.

To the east, the village of Bishop Monkton - the ford and bridge (Creative Commons License).

Bishop Monkton church, dedicated to St James the Baptist.

The village pub is the Masons Arms.

Our next stop is Boroughbridge, with the station here out of use in 1961 (Ben Brooksbank).

Procter's once served Boroughbridge.

In Boroughbridge, there are some standing stones called the Devil's Arrows. More info here.

The next place to visit is Helperby, where Eddie Brown Coaches had a depot.

Just to the north, the long closed Brafferton station (Ben Brooksbank).

To the south east is the main line and Alne station, seen here in NER days.

Alne station was rebuilt by the LNER when the line was quadrupled.

The Easingwold Railway had a bay platform at Alne.

The Easingwold Railway was an independent concern until 1948. It borrowed this loco, LNER no. 1758, in 1932. This is at Easingwold station.

Easingwold station in 1927.

Outside was the Station Hotel, a brewpub at the time of the photo, but now closed. 

Buses still run into Easingwold. Stephenson's, however, have ceased trading (Creative Commons License).

Reliance operates a regular service to York.

Here's a view of Easingwold town centre  (Creative Commons License).

We end today at the George Hotel in Easingwold.

More bits of North Yorkshire next time. Don't forget. you can follow the route here.

A CONVOLUTED WAY TO YORKSHIRE'S SMALLEST CITY.

 We leave Northallerton behind and head north along the main line to Cowton, once a favourite spot for photographers.

Almost a U turn, to get to Brompton station, on the Northallerton to Middlesbrough line. If yu're confused, here's a map of the route.

A few miles to the west is the village of Patrick Brompton, where we find the Green Tree.

Just off the A1 is Leeming Bar, where United once had an outstation.

Abbotts was also based here.

The closed railway station was still in situ in 1981 and the signal box still operational.

The Wensleydale Railway has now taken possession of the Leeming Bar site and various items are kept here.

There's also a 10.25 inch miniature railway. Both these locos later went to Hertfordshire.

Further along the railway was Bedale station. Here it is in NER times.

Now it's 2003. The station and signal box, operated by the Wensleydale Railway.

In Bedale town centre, the Waggon & Horses.....

.....and the Three Coopers.

It's a fair way south now to our next stop, at Ripon railway station, sadly all gone now, despite it being an important route.

An unusual loco for a Newcastle to Liverpool express at Ripon.

There are alternatives to rail transport in Ripon!

United was one of the main operators in Ripon.

West Yorkshire Road Car ran services towards Leeds, from the small bus station in Ripon, next to the cathedral.

Not all United buses wore the standard red livery.

Today, Transdev operates the 36 to Harrogate and Leeds.

Dales & District run rural services in the area.

Ripon is also served by the canal, which terminates at this basin.

The frontage of Ripon Cathedral.

A couple of 1950s postcards of the city showing North Street and Market Place.

There's just time to look at Ripon's pubs. First up is the Wheatsheaf, a Vaux house back in 1988. Sadly, now closed.

The White Horse is still open, but has no cask ale.

The Unicorn is the city's Wetherspoons.

The Royal Oak is worth a visit. It has Taylor's beers.

Magdalens is certainly worth the short walk out of the city centre.

We conclude our tour of Ripon at the famous One Eyed Rat.

Right, that's your lot for this post. Next time, Fountains Abbey and onwards.