Here's How To Find Us
We are 5 miles from Colne (M65), and Skipton (A59) and 10 miles from Keighley (A629)
If you are coming off the M65 go past Matalan/KFC (on your right) and keep going straight on till you come to the Morris Dancers Pub on your left. At the next roundabout take 1st left signposted Lothersdale. Travel on there about 3 miles (past the Black Lane Ends Pub) until you go down a long dip and at the bottom you will see a sign for us (turn Right).
From Skipton centre, follow Keighley (A629) signs out of the centre till you pass a disused petrol station on your right. At the next lights turn Right to Carleton/Lothersdale and follow the signs for Lothersdale.
From the Keighley end on the bypass..At the roundabout you will see a petrol station (co-op) take the 2nd exit at this roundabout up Station Road. At the top of this, turn Right. At far end of village take a Right at the roundabout by the police station and climb up out of Crosshills then follow fishery signs.
Our postcode for Sat Navs is BD20 8HH
Raygill is tucked away in the small picturesque village of Lothersdale, We are signposted from 3 miles away in each direction by brown tourist information signs.
Any problems just give us a call and we'll be happy to direct you.
01535 632500
For all bookings and enquires simply call 01535 632500
or E-mail us at raygillfisheries@hotmail.com
Our address is...
Raygill Fishing Lakes
1 Raygill Cottage
Lothersdale
Keighley
West Yorkshire
BD20 8HH
Manager's name: Mr Bernard Clement
History
The history of Raygill (meaning buck valley) can be traced back through time to the Great Ice Age (or the Pleistocene Epoch) which ravaged Britain from 1.6 million to 10,000 years ago.
We start our history lesson in the late 17th Century, when Raygill was purchased for the quarrying and burning of lime. This was taken to the nearby kilns at Riddlesden in Keighley by packhorses that went along the bridleways and moorland tracks you can still use today.
In 1845, rich veins of barytes were discovered and for a time Raygill became the largest producers of this in the country!
In the 1870s whilst quarrying, a "Pothole" was revealed at the south side. It was filled with clay, stone, earth and most exciting of all... BONES!
With such an opportunity for a proper scientific investigation, quarrying in that region was stopped and money was raised by the Yorkshire Geological and Polytechnic Society and in 1880, a study of the deposits began.
The site became famous in geological circles and was known as the
"Raygill Fissure".
It was originally 100 ft (30m) deep and 8-17 ft (2-5m) across. Excavations eventually ceased as the fissure became too deep and expensive to investigate further. This is what was noted on the fissure...
Raygill Fissure is an IPSWICHIAN INTERGLACIAL POTHOLE.
Over millions of years, the Earth's climate warmed up and cooled down many times and with each warming and cooling would come what is called a new "glacial stage". Airedale was engulfed by ice sheets three times, (first was the Devensian Glacial Stage made up of glacial clay and bones, the second was sand and angular rock and the third was the Ipswichian stage of brown sandy clay with teeth and bones cemented into it). Each ice sheet eroded away all the evidence of the previous one but, the last ice sheet is still fresh with moraines, boulder, clay, gravel and dry river channels clearly seen in the landscape.
During this Ipswichian Glacial stage, Britain was still attached to Europe by a "land bridge" and in the warm climate the animals found here would have been able to wander freely into the Pennines.
Animal remains found here included...
Many of these bones were taken to Leeds Museum but unfortunately were damaged during the war. Some were privately dispersed and some were tragically destroyed by fire in the Quarry Manager's House! Fortunately though, a good collection is still on display at Cliffe Castle Museum in Keighley in the geological section.
In the 1950s Raygill turned to the production of dry stone chippings and tarmacadam when Tilcon purchased it. An underground spring was hit in the 70's and the quarry slowly filled up to leave a large lagoon on part of the quarry site.
In 1987, Raygill changed owners again when a local family bought it. Bernard Clement and his son discovered that the lagoon's mineral content and limestone water was such that it was perfect for rearing fish. Raygill Fisheries was born in that year and since then, 3 more lakes have been added to this spectacular site. The family has landscaped Raygill to incorporate the beautiful flora and fauna you will see as you walk around the fisheries and surrounding area. A great deal of tree planting has taken place and the cliffs that were once just bare and grey are now green and lush once again. Note the resident peregrine falcons flying overhead and see if you can spot the pheasant, partridge or deer as you wander around. Listen for the woodpecker and maybe feed the fish.
Bernard Clement Jnr now manages the fisheries and has incorporated a cafe and clothing shop in the new fishery lodge. Anglers come from all over the country to pit their skills against Raygill's fish and, remember that somewhere lurking in the depths of the Delf Lake is a monster - our resident pike weighing 37.5lbs and measuring a whopping 4ft in length! The last time it was caught was nearly two years ago. See the photos in the Cafe.
Old photos are on display in the cafe of how the quarry looked before the Clement family took over and made Raygill the beautiful place it is today. We think you'll be amazed!
