Get in touch!
DalesDiscoveries.com
  • Home
    • Love Letter
  • Where to visit
    • Wensleydale
    • Swaledale & Arkengarthdale
    • Nidderdale
    • Malhamdale
    • Dentdale & Sedbergh
    • Wharfedale
    • Ribblesdale & the Three Peaks
    • Skipton
  • Eat & drink
    • Cafes and tea rooms
    • Pubs >
      • Dog friendly pubs and cafes in the Yorkshire Dales
      • Dogs friendly accommodation
    • Fine Dining
  • Things to do
    • Family fun
    • Ways to explore
    • Outdoor activities
    • All Experiences
  • More inspiration

Secret Coverdale

5 Comments

 
Picture
In today's world, with so much technology and information available, I find it remarkable and reassuring, that there are still some places that hardly anyone knows about. Coverdale is one of the lesser known Yorkshire Dales, with some wonderful secret haunts.

Take the road out  of Middleham towards Kettlewell and just after the gallops (used to train racehorses), you'll see a drive on the left leading to Coverham Abbey and then a little further on, a sign to "Historic Church". ​

This little spot is a delight, frozen in time and hidden from the world. 

Picture
13th century Coverham Abbey on the banks of the River Cover isn't open to the public but you can see its ruins from several tantalising vantage points: from the top of the field next to the church, from the driveway and the short path from the bridge, and from across the river (best in winter before the foliage obscures the view). 
​

It was never a huge order, founded by monks from northern France and probably housing fewer than 20 monks clad in white habits, known as the 'White Canons'. Visiting this serene little haven now, it's hard to imagine that anyone would ever bother to disturb their peace but the abbey was at the centre of several dramas: attacked by rampaging Scots in 1318; dissolved by Henry VIII in 1536; and then used as a rallying point for those wanted to go back to the old religion. It's now in private hands, with a home built from some of the old stones. The original elegant arches can still be seen. ​​

Picture
Nearby stands 14th century Trinity Church, no-longer in use but still open to visitors. It's tiny, with plenty of interesting features to see. There's an anglo-saxon stone, now used as a lintel over the door, and a carving in the stone door frame. Inside is an unusual Victorian tiled wall, created when the church was extended to provide space for the expanded Coverdale population. Some of the stained glass windows are much older, such as that dedicated to Catherine Dawson who died in 1570, after the dissolution of the monasteries. 

​I derive an odd pleasure looking at ancient gravestones, sad to read of children carried away too soon, and quietly hopeful when I find a number of graves belonging to those who lived to over 70. Sometimes the stones yield more information, telling of great deeds or pointing to the area's history.

​Several gravestones are connected to horse-racing, for which nearby 
Middleham is famous. ​I noticed a couple for people from Newmarket, who'd presumably come to Middleham to sell or train horses. A jockey called John Osborne is commemorated, known as the 'Bank of England' because he was such a safe bet, and the grave of 19 year old jockey, Benjamin Thompson, has a fine horse carving. Next to this is the grave of James Fieldhouse who was killed by lightning, together with his horse. Apparently there's another grave, dug by its occupant but I didn't find that one.

Picture
According to Ian Scott Massie's Tales of the Dales, a story has long been told of a poor, beautiful girl murdered by her rich lover when he thought she loved another, and that her ghost haunts the area as she looks and waits for him. In the 1950s peat diggers on the moors found a corpse in a shallow grave: it was wrapped in a black lace shawl... She was reburied in the churchyard at Trinity Church. 

​There's a gate at the far side of the churchyard, facing the church door. Go through it and you'll hear the loud rushing of the stepped water fall which once fed a mill pond, and which now joins the River Cover. Just around the corner is an ancient beautiful arched bridge. 

5 Comments
John Wright
9/7/2019 01:52:16 pm

Family research gives links to this region.
I have details of the Topham family .....
Genealogy of Topham of Caldberg in Coverdale - dating back to 1570
My family - Jonathan Wright married Amy Topham born 1742
I visited the church a while ago to find evidence of family links.
Interesting article - thank you - I will visit again one day

Reply
Susan Briggs
9/7/2019 01:57:44 pm

Yes, the Tophams were an important family I think in the history of Coverdale. Wonderful to trace your family back so far

Reply
Grant Raggett
19/5/2021 03:49:27 pm

Dear John,

My name is Grant and I've recently begun researching my ancestry. I understand there may be a link to a Topham in the 19th Century, but I have little information available.

My 3rd great-grandmother was a Martha Bennion, who had a cousin with the surname Topham. We know this Topham had a connection to Liverpool Racecourse (maybe Chester) and an interest in horses (although I don't know the extent of the interest).

Martha Bennion was born around 1859 in Patricroft, Manchester. I don't have any additional information I'm afraid.

I would like to look further into this and hope you'll see this message and reply.

Kindest regards,

Grant R.

Reply
John Wright
19/5/2021 08:06:12 pm

Hello Grant - thank you for contact and shared interest in links to Topham family.
I have checked my family tree document-and find reference to Wm Topham a Liverpool merchant - son of Christopher born 1672 and Barbara born 1682 ...... unable to find any other name links but for sure there is a link to the Topham family and horse racing....
Best wishes for your research and happy to pass on a document recording the early stages of the Genealogy of the Topham family if you wish

Kind regards

John Wright

Reply
Grant Raggett
19/5/2021 08:25:06 pm

Hello John,

Many thanks for the prompt reply.

I'm happy to hear the words Liverpool and horses. It does sound positive!

I recall my great grand-auntie mention they used to stay with the Topham relative (I think) at Pontefract near Leeds. Would this help identify any potential links? I'm due to visit her this Sunday and I've asked if she could recally any additional information about Bennion / Topham.

I'd love to see the documents relating to the Topham family. Would you be able to email them to me on glraggett@protonmail.com please?

Again, thanks for your help in this.

Kindest regards,

Grant Raggett.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Blogs

    All
    AA Box
    Activities
    All Activities
    A Powerful Stone
    Appletreewick In Wharfedale
    Arncliffe In Littondale
    A Rocket Ship
    Artists & Makers
    Askrigg
    Attractions
    Austwick Cuckoos
    Autumn In The Yorkshire Dales
    Aysgarth Rock Garden
    Bainbridge
    Baler Twine
    Bed & Breakfasts
    Behave Yourself
    Behind The Scenes At The Show
    Belted Galloways
    Best Dales Views
    Betty's Vintage Hut
    Bilberrying
    Birdwatching
    Black Bull In Paradise
    Bluebell Woods
    Blue Lion & Black Panther
    Bolton Abbey & Stepping Stones
    Bolton Castle
    Bonfires & Bartle
    Books And Boots
    Bridges & River Crossings
    Brimham Rocks
    Brymor Ice Cream
    Burnsall
    By The Mouseman
    Cafe Carvings & Contentment
    Cake!
    Call Of The Curlew
    Calm
    Carperby & James Herriot's Honeymoon
    Castleberg
    Cautley Spout & The Pub With No Beer
    Chocolate & Sweets
    Clapham
    Classic Cars
    Coast To Coast
    Cobbles Stones & Pavements
    Coldstones Cut
    Corpses And Wool
    Country Shows
    Cover Bridge To Middleham
    Cow Parsley
    Crackpot Hall
    Create At Broadrake
    Create A Wildflower Meadow
    Creative Dales
    Cricket
    Culloden Tower
    Cycling & Mountain Biking
    Dales 30
    Dales Alphabet Of Activities
    Dalesbus
    Dales Countryside Museum
    Dales Galleries
    Dales Inspiration
    Dales Place Names
    Dales Way
    Distinctive Dales
    Dog Friendly Dales
    Don't Get Lost!
    Doors And Windows
    Dramatic Dales
    Drover & Packhorse Routes
    Dry Stone Walls
    Easby Abbey
    East Witton
    Embsay To Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
    Exercise & Green Spaces
    Extraordinary Sculpture
    Famous Five Style Ice-cream
    Farfield Mill
    Farmers
    Farm Fresh Milk
    Feizor & Elaine's Tea Rooms
    Fell Running
    Ferret Racing & Cosy Pub
    Field Barns & Cow'uses
    Filming James Herriot
    Film & TV Locations
    Fleece To Fabric
    Fountains Abbey
    Free Audio Trails
    Fresh Air
    Friends Of The Dales
    Gardens In The Dales
    Garsdale & A Special Dog Story
    Georgian Theatre Royal
    Ghostly Goings-on
    Gin In The Dales
    Glencroft Wool And The Three Peaks
    Good Things About Rain
    Gordale Scar
    Go Where The Grass Is Greener
    Grassington
    Guide To Health & Happiness
    Gunnerside
    Hackfall - Magical Woods
    Happy Positive People
    Hares
    Hawthorn
    Hay Meadows
    Hebden - Wonderful Food & Drink
    Here For The Beer
    Heritage Open Days
    Hibernation
    Highland Cattle
    Himalayan Garden
    Historical Re-enactments
    Hoffmann Kiln
    Honesty Boxes
    Horse Riding In The Yorkshire Dales
    How Many Yorkshire Dales?
    Ingleborough Cave
    Ingleton Colours
    Ingleton Lido
    James Herriot TV Locations
    Janet's Foss
    Jervaulx Abbey
    Joy Of Small Things
    Keelham Farm Shop
    Keld
    Keld Community Welcoming Visitors
    Kettlewell
    Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival
    Kilnsey Park
    Kilnsey Village
    Kingfishers
    Kirkby Lonsdale
    Kirkby Malham
    Kirkby Stephen
    Knights Templar In Wensleydale
    Lady Hill
    Lambing
    Langthwaite & James Herriot
    Lazy Lanes
    Lead Mining
    Leyburn Full Of Hidden Surprises
    Limestone Pavements
    Linger In Linton
    Little Alf
    Live A Little Every Day
    Llama & Alpaca Trekking
    Lovely Lichens
    Loving Local
    Lynchets And Ancient Farming
    Malham Peregrines
    Malham Safari
    Markenfield Hall
    Marking Time
    Masham Market Place
    Masham's Creative Community
    Masham Sheep Fair
    Middleham - Windsor Of The North?
    Money Does Grow On Trees
    Mud-larking
    Muker Show
    Nature's Cure
    Nature's Jewels
    Nidderdale
    Nine Standards Rigg
    Nordic Walking
    Oak Apples
    Old School Muker Art Gallery
    Open Farm Sunday
    Outdoor Clothing
    Paragliding
    Pateley Bridge
    Peace In Airton
    Pendragon Castle
    Pepper Pot & Guillotine
    Photography Courses In The Dales
    Planning Long Distance Walks
    Playing Quoits
    Positive People
    Post Boxes
    Pub Games
    Pub Names
    Pub Safari
    Pub To People Ratio
    Queen Mary's Shawl
    Quirky
    Rabbits & Russians
    Rangers & Volunteers
    Red Squirrels
    Reeth
    Reeth Show
    Reliable Weather Forecast?
    Rescue Services
    Ribblehead Viaduct
    Ribblesdale
    Richmond Castle
    Richmond Station
    Ride2Stride Festival
    River Ure
    River Wharfe
    Romantic Ruins
    Rope & A Rich Life
    Scar House Reservoir
    Secret Coverdale
    Sedbergh
    Sedbergh Treasure Map
    Seeing Differently
    Sense Of Community
    Serene & Spiritual
    Settle Falconry
    Settle Flower Pot Festival
    Settle Folly
    Settle To Carlisle Railway
    Settle-treasure-map
    Sheep-dog-demonstrations
    Sheep-graffiti
    Sherlock-holmes-yorkshire-dales
    Signs
    Silage Or Hay?
    Simple Ways To Enjoy Nature
    Skipton
    Skipton Castle
    Skipton Castle Woods
    Sloe Gin
    Smallest Art Gallery In The World
    Solitude And Silence
    Speak Sheep
    Spotting Spring
    Squeezes And Kissing Gates
    Stainforth & Leaping Salmon
    Starry Skies
    Stay Cool
    Stiles
    Stonehenge Of The Dales
    Stories Of Semerwater
    Stories Of The Dales
    Stories Of The Vault
    Studfold's Magical World
    Swaledale Festival
    Swaledale Museum
    Swaledale Secret Garden
    Swaledale Sheep
    Swale Trail
    Swift Trail
    Tan Hill Inn
    Tennants
    Terrible Knitters Of Dent
    The Buttertubs
    The Dalesman
    The End Of The Road
    The Hills Are Alive...
    The Pennine Way
    Thornborough Cider
    Thornborough Henges
    Three Peaks Arts Trail
    Thwaite & Attenborough's Forerunners
    Tombola & Raffles
    Town End Farm Shop
    Tractor Love
    Traffic Jams Dales Style
    Transports Of Delight
    Trees That Talk
    Tupping Time
    Underground Wonders
    Vicar On A 3-wheeler
    Village Greens
    Vintage Coach Trip
    Volunteers
    Walking In The Yorkshire Dales
    Walks
    Waterfalls
    Wensleydale Cheese
    Wensleydale Experience
    Wensleydale Railway
    Wensley Wonders
    West Burton
    What Makes A Good Yorkshire Dales Pub
    When It Rains In The Yorkshire Dales
    Wild Garlic & The Good Life
    Wild Swimming
    Wishing Trees
    Wonders Of Wool
    Wool In The Yorkshire Dales
    Wriggly Tin
    Yellow Cheer
    Yockenthwaite - Centre Of The Dales
    Yorkshire Dales Animal Artists
    Yorkshire Dales Books & Bookshops
    Yorkshire Dales Curiosities
    Yorkshire Dales National Park Features & History
    Yorkshire Dales Shepherdess
    Yorkshire Three Peaks
    Yorkshire Trails

    Blogs

    All
    AA Box
    Activities
    All Activities
    A Powerful Stone
    Appletreewick In Wharfedale
    Arncliffe In Littondale
    A Rocket Ship
    Artists & Makers
    Askrigg
    Attractions
    Austwick Cuckoos
    Autumn In The Yorkshire Dales
    Aysgarth Rock Garden
    Bainbridge
    Baler Twine
    Bed & Breakfasts
    Behave Yourself
    Behind The Scenes At The Show
    Belted Galloways
    Best Dales Views
    Betty's Vintage Hut
    Bilberrying
    Birdwatching
    Black Bull In Paradise
    Bluebell Woods
    Blue Lion & Black Panther
    Bolton Abbey & Stepping Stones
    Bolton Castle
    Bonfires & Bartle
    Books And Boots
    Bridges & River Crossings
    Brimham Rocks
    Brymor Ice Cream
    Burnsall
    By The Mouseman
    Cafe Carvings & Contentment
    Cake!
    Call Of The Curlew
    Calm
    Carperby & James Herriot's Honeymoon
    Castleberg
    Cautley Spout & The Pub With No Beer
    Chocolate & Sweets
    Clapham
    Classic Cars
    Coast To Coast
    Cobbles Stones & Pavements
    Coldstones Cut
    Corpses And Wool
    Country Shows
    Cover Bridge To Middleham
    Cow Parsley
    Crackpot Hall
    Create At Broadrake
    Create A Wildflower Meadow
    Creative Dales
    Cricket
    Culloden Tower
    Cycling & Mountain Biking
    Dales 30
    Dales Alphabet Of Activities
    Dalesbus
    Dales Countryside Museum
    Dales Galleries
    Dales Inspiration
    Dales Place Names
    Dales Way
    Distinctive Dales
    Dog Friendly Dales
    Don't Get Lost!
    Doors And Windows
    Dramatic Dales
    Drover & Packhorse Routes
    Dry Stone Walls
    Easby Abbey
    East Witton
    Embsay To Bolton Abbey Steam Railway
    Exercise & Green Spaces
    Extraordinary Sculpture
    Famous Five Style Ice-cream
    Farfield Mill
    Farmers
    Farm Fresh Milk
    Feizor & Elaine's Tea Rooms
    Fell Running
    Ferret Racing & Cosy Pub
    Field Barns & Cow'uses
    Filming James Herriot
    Film & TV Locations
    Fleece To Fabric
    Fountains Abbey
    Free Audio Trails
    Fresh Air
    Friends Of The Dales
    Gardens In The Dales
    Garsdale & A Special Dog Story
    Georgian Theatre Royal
    Ghostly Goings-on
    Gin In The Dales
    Glencroft Wool And The Three Peaks
    Good Things About Rain
    Gordale Scar
    Go Where The Grass Is Greener
    Grassington
    Guide To Health & Happiness
    Gunnerside
    Hackfall - Magical Woods
    Happy Positive People
    Hares
    Hawthorn
    Hay Meadows
    Hebden - Wonderful Food & Drink
    Here For The Beer
    Heritage Open Days
    Hibernation
    Highland Cattle
    Himalayan Garden
    Historical Re-enactments
    Hoffmann Kiln
    Honesty Boxes
    Horse Riding In The Yorkshire Dales
    How Many Yorkshire Dales?
    Ingleborough Cave
    Ingleton Colours
    Ingleton Lido
    James Herriot TV Locations
    Janet's Foss
    Jervaulx Abbey
    Joy Of Small Things
    Keelham Farm Shop
    Keld
    Keld Community Welcoming Visitors
    Kettlewell
    Kettlewell Scarecrow Festival
    Kilnsey Park
    Kilnsey Village
    Kingfishers
    Kirkby Lonsdale
    Kirkby Malham
    Kirkby Stephen
    Knights Templar In Wensleydale
    Lady Hill
    Lambing
    Langthwaite & James Herriot
    Lazy Lanes
    Lead Mining
    Leyburn Full Of Hidden Surprises
    Limestone Pavements
    Linger In Linton
    Little Alf
    Live A Little Every Day
    Llama & Alpaca Trekking
    Lovely Lichens
    Loving Local
    Lynchets And Ancient Farming
    Malham Peregrines
    Malham Safari
    Markenfield Hall
    Marking Time
    Masham Market Place
    Masham's Creative Community
    Masham Sheep Fair
    Middleham - Windsor Of The North?
    Money Does Grow On Trees
    Mud-larking
    Muker Show
    Nature's Cure
    Nature's Jewels
    Nidderdale
    Nine Standards Rigg
    Nordic Walking
    Oak Apples
    Old School Muker Art Gallery
    Open Farm Sunday
    Outdoor Clothing
    Paragliding
    Pateley Bridge
    Peace In Airton
    Pendragon Castle
    Pepper Pot & Guillotine
    Photography Courses In The Dales
    Planning Long Distance Walks
    Playing Quoits
    Positive People
    Post Boxes
    Pub Games
    Pub Names
    Pub Safari
    Pub To People Ratio
    Queen Mary's Shawl
    Quirky
    Rabbits & Russians
    Rangers & Volunteers
    Red Squirrels
    Reeth
    Reeth Show
    Reliable Weather Forecast?
    Rescue Services
    Ribblehead Viaduct
    Ribblesdale
    Richmond Castle
    Richmond Station
    Ride2Stride Festival
    River Ure
    River Wharfe
    Romantic Ruins
    Rope & A Rich Life
    Scar House Reservoir
    Secret Coverdale
    Sedbergh
    Sedbergh Treasure Map
    Seeing Differently
    Sense Of Community
    Serene & Spiritual
    Settle Falconry
    Settle Flower Pot Festival
    Settle Folly
    Settle To Carlisle Railway
    Settle-treasure-map
    Sheep-dog-demonstrations
    Sheep-graffiti
    Sherlock-holmes-yorkshire-dales
    Signs
    Silage Or Hay?
    Simple Ways To Enjoy Nature
    Skipton
    Skipton Castle
    Skipton Castle Woods
    Sloe Gin
    Smallest Art Gallery In The World
    Solitude And Silence
    Speak Sheep
    Spotting Spring
    Squeezes And Kissing Gates
    Stainforth & Leaping Salmon
    Starry Skies
    Stay Cool
    Stiles
    Stonehenge Of The Dales
    Stories Of Semerwater
    Stories Of The Dales
    Stories Of The Vault
    Studfold's Magical World
    Swaledale Festival
    Swaledale Museum
    Swaledale Secret Garden
    Swaledale Sheep
    Swale Trail
    Swift Trail
    Tan Hill Inn
    Tennants
    Terrible Knitters Of Dent
    The Buttertubs
    The Dalesman
    The End Of The Road
    The Hills Are Alive...
    The Pennine Way
    Thornborough Cider
    Thornborough Henges
    Three Peaks Arts Trail
    Thwaite & Attenborough's Forerunners
    Tombola & Raffles
    Town End Farm Shop
    Tractor Love
    Traffic Jams Dales Style
    Transports Of Delight
    Trees That Talk
    Tupping Time
    Underground Wonders
    Vicar On A 3-wheeler
    Village Greens
    Vintage Coach Trip
    Volunteers
    Walking In The Yorkshire Dales
    Walks
    Waterfalls
    Wensleydale Cheese
    Wensleydale Experience
    Wensleydale Railway
    Wensley Wonders
    West Burton
    What Makes A Good Yorkshire Dales Pub
    When It Rains In The Yorkshire Dales
    Wild Garlic & The Good Life
    Wild Swimming
    Wishing Trees
    Wonders Of Wool
    Wool In The Yorkshire Dales
    Wriggly Tin
    Yellow Cheer
    Yockenthwaite - Centre Of The Dales
    Yorkshire Dales Animal Artists
    Yorkshire Dales Books & Bookshops
    Yorkshire Dales Curiosities
    Yorkshire Dales National Park Features & History
    Yorkshire Dales Shepherdess
    Yorkshire Three Peaks
    Yorkshire Trails


    RSS Feed

    Archives

    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019

Find more places to visit in the Yorkshire Dales

Wharfedale
Grassington
Kettlewell
Burnsall
Appletreewick
Kilnsey

Bolton Abbey Estate

​
​
Swaledale & Arkengarthdale
Reeth
Richmond
Muker
Thwaite
Keld
Buttertubs
Langthwaite
Gunnerside
Crackpot Hall
Corpse Way
Swale Trail
Wensleydale
​
Hawes
​
Leyburn
Masham
Middleham
Askrigg
Wensley
Aysgarth
Carperby


Ribblesdale & Three Peaks
Settle
Settle-Carlisle Railway 
Yorkshire Three Peaks
Clapham
Feizor
Hoffman
Ingleborough
Ingleton
Stainforth
Nidderdale
Pateley Bridge
​
Scar House Reservoir
Coldstones Cut
Fountains Abbey

​Brimham Rocks

About DalesDiscoveries.com

This independent not-for-profit website was created using recommendations from Dales insiders' - people who live in, and love the Yorkshire Dales. 
​
​Copyright Susan Briggs 2021
The Tourism Network
The Old Mill
Millgate
Masham
HG4 4EZ

​​
Email

​Sometimes places open or close unexpectedly. Please always check opening times in advance.
​

Love letter to the Yorkshire Dales

Picture
Image; Guy Carpenter
Sign up for our free & upbeat Love Letter to the Yorkshire Dales. 

​