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Carlton
Geographically, historically and socially Carlton is a most interesting village. It is situated on a limestone terrace, partly covered by glacial deposits. It overlooks the narrow valley of the River Cover with excellent views of the south side of Coverdale, dominated by West Scrafton, Caldberg and Swineside. Carlton is a long narrow “ribbon” village with no central square or “green”, but with a variety of interesting properties on both sides of the road. Overlooked by the steep slopes of Penhill to the north, small streams pass the village on their way to “feed” the River Cover.
Historically Carlton has always benefited from its location on the route from Wensleydale to Wharfedale via the Park Rush Pass. In former centuries the village facilities were used by the drovers of livestock on their way from County Durham to South Yorkshire. Surprisingly, in the mid-nineteenth century plans were drawn up for a Coverdale railway line to link Skipton with Middleham, Catterick and Masham via a tunnel under Little Whernside!!
In 1823 the population of Carlton itself was two hundred and eighty, with three hundred and ninety eight in the High dale: a total of six hundred and seventy eight in the upper part of Coverdale. In the Wapentake (administrative district) of Hang West and the Parish of Coverham, Carlton was then served by the Reverend James Law, Curate of Coverham. Anthony Buckle and Henry Constantine are listed as “gentlemen”, George Bennett was the Land Agent, Christopher Law was the plumber and glazier, John Ramshaw the slater and Thomas Tennant the butcher. Thomas Metcalfe was a victualler, William Walls the landlord of the Horse and Hounds and William Watson was the schoolmaster. There were also two blacksmiths, two carpenters, three grocers, two shoemakers and seven farmers. Indeed, a thriving, almost self sufficient settlement! The “modern” school and church were built on land conveyed in 1835 and 1875. The school closed in 1977 with pupils transferred to Middleham and Leyburn, but the church is still used within the United Parish. Although the traditional Foresters’ Walk is still a popular social event, twenty first century Carlton is now very different, socially and economically. It boasts an excellent community “Memorial” Hall, a Methodist Chapel, and agricultural engineer/garage and a thriving modern inn/restaurant at the Foresters’ Arms.
The post second world war tourist industry continues to develop, with access by private car. Several properties are used as second homes, others provide bed and breakfast facilities and the National Park attracts increasing numbers of holidaymakers. With the decline in agriculture, the loss of the village shop and Post Office, Carlton becomes more dependent on the tourist industry and the “retired” residents, a trend likely to continue in the foreseeable future.
Ken Stott