Marske Beck, Orgate, Coast to Coast

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Orgate Bridge from midway to Orgate Force

Marske Beck, Orgate, Marske, Coast to Coast

Marske Beck rises on Hurst Peat Moss, a little north of Marrick Moor, as Roan Beck, changing its name after passing through Washfold to the Padley Beck. This becomes the Shaw Beck as it enters the valley south of Shaw Tongue. Passing through another deep valley at Helwith, Shaw Beck becomes the Marske Beck. It subsumes the Throstle Gill as it emerges from the deep valley between Helwith Bank and Cold Bank and begins its south east journey to Marske, surrendering to the might of the River Swale at Downholme Park, a short distance thereafter.

Clints Wood Marske

Skelton Lane follows Marske Beck eastwards from Marske. On the far side of the beck is Clints Scar, most of which is populated by the dapper green trees of Clints Wood. A path from Skelton Lane leads down to the Beck, which is spanned by Pillimire Bridge, giving access to the small hamlet of Clints.

Clints beyond Pillimire Bridge

The path to Pillimire Bridge takes you from Skelton Lane, down the turfed riverbank. From the bridge there is pathway access to Clints, Marske and Orgate Bridge.

Steeping Gill Skelton

Steeping Gill flows down from the steep hillside around Skelton Hall, and is ducted beneath Skelton Bridge. It arrives at Marske Beck beside the Pillimire Bridge,

Skelton Hall

Skelton Hall is a Grade II Listed Building and looks out from the west upon Markse Beck. The gardens of the Hall were designed by John Meikle who was a student of Capability Brown, and are said to be magnificent. The Hall was taken over by the RAF during World War II, but it is now back into private ownership.

Skelton Farm Marske

Skelton Farm is a large detached house situated at the foot of the drive that leads to Skelton Hall. Its outlook is across the Marske Beck valley and Clints Wood.

Moor House Gill

Moor House Gill springs from the moors near to the 362m summit of Skelton Moor. It descends the hillside very close to Moor House, from which it takes its name. The Gill is modest in size, and a tributory to Marske Beck.

Large Meander Marske Beck

Between Orgate Bridge and Clints Wood the Marske Beck expresses a number of exceptionally bowed meanders, ready to form an oxbow lake. The woodland below Clints Scar is no longer Clints Wood, but Limekiln Wood. As the woodland fades away towards the north the long edge of Clints Scar becomes more exposed and hints at its mesa shaped moor top.

Orgate Farm

Orgate Farm is positioned on the north riverbank of Marske Beck, below Clints Scar. It is located above another large loop of the Beck and is accessed from Skelton Lane via Orgate Bridge, which spans the Marske Beck. The farmhouse is dated to the early 18th century and is linked to lead mining, traces of which are apparent on the hillside to the farm's north and west.

Marske Beck Orgate Bridge

Orgate Bridge spans the Marske Beck between Skelton Lane and Orgate Farm. It is actually an Irish bridge in so far as it is not raised above the beck but built into it with culverts for the water to pass through. When the water rises it becomes a ford.

Orgate Force Marske Beck

Orgate Force lies about 100 yards upstream from Orgate Bridge, although it is located on private land. In normal weather it has a steady stream of multiple cascades over its wide berth, but in dry weather is is not so majestic.