Image: Steve Amphlett Imagine being so wealthy you could afford a large mansion with its own pleasure grounds (sounds so much grander than just a garden!), filled with exotic trees and plants. Castlebergh Plantation was part of the grounds of Town Head in Settle, owned by a succession of rich families.
One owner was so well-off he built a walkway from the house under the High Road so he could enjoy the gardens in complete peace and privacy.
Town Head was eventually demolished and the once beautiful grounds became neglected until the woodland was restored some years ago. However, the years of neglect were good in one way though: they created a haven for wildlife.
Town Head’s most famous inhabitant was Tot (short for Thomas) Lord, a well-known archaeologist who excavated Victoria, Jubilee and Attermire ‘bone caves’, discovering a harpoon head, skull of a bear, and mammoth bones.
Nowadays anyone can enjoy parts of what was once Castlebergh Plantation, by following the Tot Lord Trail out of Settle market place up Constitution Hill (you'll see why it's so named once you've puffed up it!), through the woodland and to the top of Castleberg Rock, a limestone knoll with fine views over Settle and beyond. You'll be able to enjoy a birds-eye view over the town, and see the Settle-Carlisle railway line which looks more like a model train set from that perspective.
One owner was so well-off he built a walkway from the house under the High Road so he could enjoy the gardens in complete peace and privacy.
Town Head was eventually demolished and the once beautiful grounds became neglected until the woodland was restored some years ago. However, the years of neglect were good in one way though: they created a haven for wildlife.
Town Head’s most famous inhabitant was Tot (short for Thomas) Lord, a well-known archaeologist who excavated Victoria, Jubilee and Attermire ‘bone caves’, discovering a harpoon head, skull of a bear, and mammoth bones.
Nowadays anyone can enjoy parts of what was once Castlebergh Plantation, by following the Tot Lord Trail out of Settle market place up Constitution Hill (you'll see why it's so named once you've puffed up it!), through the woodland and to the top of Castleberg Rock, a limestone knoll with fine views over Settle and beyond. You'll be able to enjoy a birds-eye view over the town, and see the Settle-Carlisle railway line which looks more like a model train set from that perspective.
Image: Steve Amphlett
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