① Traveling in Yorkshire Dales, UK
Yorkshire Dales is the largest national park in the UK. Every year, over 8 million tourists visit the Yorkshire Dales, one of the representative national parks in the UK. This location is a paradise for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to its varied and dramatic landscapes, ranging from rugged mountain peaks to lush nature, forests, and valleys.
In particular, the River Wharfe passes through the center of this area and is considered one of the most beautiful places in the park. The River Wharfe winds its way through the ruins of Bolton Abbey. The river here is wide and the water flows slowly, but caution is needed. The river is considered one of the most dangerous resorts in the UK.
② Known as a beautiful but dangerous area
On the opposite side of the abbey is Strid Wood, a peaceful area covered in forest. This place is a famous trekking spot with many dangerous elements nearby.
The Strid, which runs through the center of the forest, passes through a narrow gorge. There are huge moss-covered rocks around it, and rapids flow, making it impossible to avoid in case of an accident. At first glance, it doesn’t look deep, but in reality, it’s extremely dangerous. It has claimed many lives.
Bolton Strid doesn’t look particularly threatening. It’s surrounded by a tranquil forest and narrow, so it doesn’t seem to pose a significant risk. It seems more like a peaceful place.
But appearances can be deceiving. You could fall into the river if you get too close or try to jump from the other side. You could also slip more easily due to moss-covered rocks when you lose your footing.
There is a warning sign in front of the river saying, “Danger! It has claimed lives in the past. Step back and beware of slippery rocks.” This warning sign should never be ignored. The sign is there because many incidents happened here in the past.
③ A notorious place in the past
There are no official figures on how many people have had accidents here. However, according to locals, no one who has fallen in here has survived. Without accurate numbers, it’s impossible to say if that’s true.
But one fact we do know is that many lives have been lost here over the centuries, and the first incident is well-documented. A young man named William de Romilly fell into the Strid River while trying to cross it.
His grief-stricken mother gave the surrounding land to the Augustinian monks so they could build Bolton Abbey and pray for his soul. This incident is forever remembered in the poetry of Samuel Rogers and William Wordsworth.
In 1934, an artist named Arthur Reginald Smith disappeared while painting nearby. He was found to have drowned in the river.
There was a tragic incident in 1998 when newlyweds Barry Collett and Lynn Collett were swept away and drowned in a flood. While the Strid is a beautiful place, if you want to avoid becoming part of it, you need to heed the warning signs.
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