The Altar Road bears to the right behind a walled plantation (Race Course Hill on maps). From here, muddy in parts, it passes behind the St. Ives Estate, crossing the line of the Fairfax Entrenchment, a relic of the Fairfaxes campaigns in the early part of the Civil War. This is well described in Cudworth's book 'Rambles Round Bradford'. A graveyard in what was once the centre of the Parliamentarian camp of Sir Thomas Fairfax, it is believed that about 200 soldiers are buried here. In the last century swords and axes were found here, and the earthworks circle the moor from Pan Holes overlooking Harden to the Druids Altar. Who these soldiers were, and how they died, remains a mystery, although it is possible that they died of pestilence rather than by the sword.
Soon the Altar Road passes an open area on the left where a path leads over heather to a rocky outcrop overlooking the Aire Valley. This is the 'Druids Altar'. From the rocks there are fine views over to Crossflatts, the Five Rise Locks on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, and of course Bingley, nestling on the valley floor below. The Druids Altar is worth the short diversion required simply for the prospect of 'journey's end'.
To the right of the Altar Road a stile leads to a track through St. Ives Park, which in turn leads down to the car park by the mansion of St. Ives. Here is the Sports Turf Research Institute. The only establishment of its kind in the world, it deals with golf courses in Guatemala and bowling greens in Bangkok! This is the way to go if you desire to finish the walk in a similar environment to where you started at Towneley Hall, or if you have supporters waiting for you. (There is ample parking). If like most of us, however, you do not have the luxury of a waiting car to take you home, you will be heading for the centre of Bingley to catch a bus or a train. To do this is simple- just follow the Altar road downhill to where it bears right in trees and comes out on the B6429 Bingley-Harden Road. Turn sharp left and follow this busy road down to the stone bridge over the Aire. Cross the bridge to the traffic lights by Bingley Fire Station on the main A650 Keighley Bradford road. On the left is Bingley church.
SO THIS IS IT! YOU ARE NOW IN BINGLEY! YOU'VE MADE IT! - you have walked here from Lancashire! Congratulations are in order!
Postscript
It was dark when I arrived in Bingley, and I was carrying the dog, who had been hanging back repeatedly on the Altar Road. Tired and bedraggled it was 8.30 pm when we crossed the bridge into Bingley, only to be accosted by a Pakistani who asked me if I would help him push his car into a nearby car park! There I was, limping and shattered and carrying a dog. Why he picked on me I'll never know! Furthermore, when I laid my hands on his car, (it was an orange Datsun with taxi plates) I left behind two handprints.... he had just had it resprayed and the paint was still wet! Another man came to help and I made myself scarce. It was a bizarre end to a long and interesting day. Going home on buses and trains through the industrial towns of West Yorkshire seemed more of an ordeal than the walk had been. It was Saturday night and the drinkers were out in force. Friendly advances directed to the sweet little dog asleep on the seat were met with low irritable snarls! But when I finally hobbled home I fell asleep with the rich contentment of one who has done something that no-one else has tackled before. The aching limbs and sore feet are worthwhile at such a moment, as lying there on the edge of sleep you cast your mind back to those dark rolling hills where the wind sighs through shattered stones and time seems suspended. A year later, with a friend, I did the walk again, and it was easier when I knew the way. Readers should note that a crossing in the opposite direction remains to be done. Who knows? You might be the first person to walk from BINGLEY to BURNLEY!!
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