Attermire Rifle Range, Settle

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Historical Environment Record No:
MYD36669
Parish:
Settle
OS Grid Reference:
SD838641
Dale:
Ribblesdale
Related to:

Timeline

Themes

Description

Attermire Rifle Range MYD36669 (c) YDNPA, 2023

Attermire Rifle Range MYD36669 (c) YDNPA, 2023

In the mid-19th century, with the threat of war with France hanging in the air, County lieutenants throughout the country were authorised to raise volunteer rifle corps. In 1854, in Settle, 30 volunteers were signed up. By 1864 they had a drill hall at the foot of Castlebergh in the town. The Settle Volunteers took their shooting practice seriously and Attermire Range was set up for them in 1860. Competitions took place and Settle won many of the top prizes in the county. The shooting platforms laid out at regular intervals away from the targets can only just be made out. More obvious are the remains of the butts at the base of Warrendale Knotts half a mile away, which originally had pairs of two metre diameter targets. The Volunteers were transferred into the Territorial Army in 1908 and they continued to use the range up until the First World War. During the Second World War, the local Home Guard reused the range.

Attermire Rifle Range MYD36669 (c) YDNPA, 2023

Attermire Rifle Range MYD36669 (c) YDNPA, 2023

Source:

Nelson, Jim (1998) ‘The Attermire Rifle Range – Settle’ North Craven Heritage Trust Journal. p11

Location

From Settle Market Place go up Cheapside past the Tourist Information Centre. Bear right and follow the signs for Aireton/Malham. Follow this road for about 3/4 mile to a junction with a tarmaced lane (Stockdale Lane), and turn left. Walk down the tarmaced lane which bends left towards a gate and ladder stile with a footpath to Attermire Scar sign. Cross the stile and follow the clear path to a gate and footpath sign. Continue to a stone step stile with a yellow marker post and map of the access area. Cross the stile and turn right. A few yards ahead is a mound with cut stone set in it. There are heavy metal plates lying nearby.These are the butts associated with the rifle range.

Public Transport Details

Nearest town/village: Settle. Call Traveline on 0870 608 2 608 to plan your journey. After the welcome message key in 885 for North Yorkshire information.

Accessibility

Path rough and stony in places. Ladder and stone step stiles.