IN the 17th century, country folk in the Yorkshire Dales took up profitable pastimes to supplement a living from their farms.

There were the ‘terrible knitters of Dent’ – not terribly bad but terribly good. The men knitted with one hand while milking their cows with the other. Other occupations in the Dales were spinning, weaving and, for the men, lead mining.

Just a little way from the Dales in Brompton, near Northallerton, a different activity was blooming – making linen. This was a growth industry, the workers having looms in their houses.

With the market town of Northallerton nearby, and being situated on the old Great North Road, the weavers of Brompton had access to transport and markets. Linen-making grew tremendously in the following years and, with water nearby, it gave mills access to cheap power. There were almost three times as many working linen manufacturers in Brompton than in Northallerton.

But, like all booming industries, there came the inevitable bust when the employees found it difficult to make ends meet on the paltry wages given them by their employers. Their demand for higher wages was supported by illegal strikes. The greedy employers eventually capitulated but continued to squeeze the last drop from the workers in the 19th century, causing hardship and poverty.

However, linen-making continued in Brompton and in the 1850s there were more than 200 looms still working in the community. The making of linen continued well into the 20th century.

So let us take a cycle ride to the pretty village of Brompton and its long-gone industry, and if you explore the village you will find evidence of Brompton’s proud heritage displayed on buildings and in the name of some of the streets.


Your Route

Leave the car park past the Fired Earth shop and head back to the main street roundabouts. Go straight ahead at the first roundabout and left at the second signed to Brompton and Teesside.

At the next roundabout, keep straight ahead, under a white footbridge, then go left at another roundabout signed to Brompton. You soon reach the village of Brompton with its fine church on the left and references to linen in house and street names.

At the crossroads, go left signed to Deighton and Darlington. Take care over the level crossing then enjoy the views across this flat landscape. Continue along the road until you reach a T-junction. Turn left here signed to Northallerton. In about 100 yards turn right with care, towards Danby Wiske and Streetlam. Watch out for the double bends, then at the T-junction turn right. The signpost was broken when I passed by. It’s not far into Danby Wiske, but watch out for the humped railway crossing.

Cross over the River Wiske and pass the White Swan Inn, following signs for Streetlam. Bear left at the junction to enter Streetlam village. Cycle through, keeping on the main road. Watch out for potholes along here. In about a mile, turn right at the T-junction on to the B6271 signed to Great Langton, Scorton and Richmond, and enjoy the grand views across to the Yorkshire Dales.

In Great Langton village, turn left at the T-junction signed to Thrintoft and Ainderby. Cycle alongside the River Swale, which is below you on the right, and just after you pass the gates to Langton Hall, turn right signed to Thrintoft and Ainderby Steeple. This is quite a narrow road which can be slippery when wet. Soon you pass through Thrintoft, then shortly over a level crossing, which could be quite an experience.

At the T-junction, turn left on to the busy A684 through Ainderby Steeple and continue to a roundabout. Turn left here to join the A167 to Northallerton, then left at the next roundabout to cycle through the town centre. Pass through the market square then go left at the roundabout to return to the car park.


The facts

Distance: 20 miles/32km
Terrain: Mostly quiet country roads
Best map: OS Landranger 99
Start/grid ref: Northallerton, car park behind Barker’s Store, grid ref: 366939
Refreshments: Betty’s in Northallerton if you would like a treat, but there is plenty of choice in the Market Place and pubs along the way
Gazette & Herald: Gazette Brompton cycle ride map