Bainbridge: 5 things you might not know about this lovely little Wensleydale village
It’s by England’s shortest river, the River Bain: you can follow it to Semerwater, just a couple of miles away.
Look at the river by the bridge and you’ll see the Archimedes Screw, part of of a community hydro energy scheme, powering local houses.
It used to be known as Virosidum and was once an important Roman centre: the remains of a Roman Fort have been found nearby. Cam High Road leads away from Bainbridge towards Lancaster via Ribblehead.
The old village stocks remain on the green: they date back to the 17th century and were used to punish local offenders.
The village green dates back many centuries and was probably established in the 12th century in what was a clearing at the edge of the then Forest of Wensleydale. At once point Bainbridge was part of the Jervaulx estate. Somehow the manorial rights were passed on to the City of London, and villages bought those right back around the 17th century.
It’s a lovely place to wander, with tea room, Low Mill B&B in an incredible building, pub and the multi-award winning Yorebridge House nearby