Hag Dyke, in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales is a Scout Hostel administered by the Ben Rhydding Scout and Guide Group in Ben Rhydding, Ilkley. The Hostel was bequeathed to the group in 1947 and has been run by a group of volunteer wardens for the benefit of Scouts and other Youth Groups ever since.
The building was originally a farmhouse and its occupants traced back to 1730, but it is probably older and could have housed miners working in Dowber Ghyll lead mines opened in 1680, the area of the kitchen is the oldest. At 1525 feet it was believed to be the highest house in the former West Riding. A “Dyke” in Dales dialect means a mountain dividing wall and “Hag” means enclosed land or an intake (from the moor in this case). The name therefore means the wall bounding the intake from the moor. The house is reputed to be haunted!!
In 1959/60 the farmhouse was entirely rebuilt as a Scout hostel. A new roof and new floors were installed. The long barn (with its’ traditional width of 16 to 18 feet to allow turning of 2 oxen) was pulled down and rebuilt as a common room and dormitories. The original roof beams were preserved and a 44 inch thick wall excavated to provide a connecting door, nearly killing a workman in the process. Rebuilding took a year, with everything being brought up by local farmers tractors. Workmen stayed at Hay Tongue farm and the weather was incredibly fierce
The lounge is ideal for your whole group to congregate and relax. There is comfortable furniture and a roaring open fire. There is plenty of space for games and activities when all the furniture is pushed to the side of the room.
On entering Hag Dyke the Boot Room allows you to take off your hiking boots and hang up wet clothing without having to take them into the main hostel. The concrete floor shakes off the mud with just a sweep of the broom.
There are four dormitories all with bunk beds to accommodate 36 people. Mattresses are provided but you need to bring your own bedding or sleeping bags. Most groups use sleeping bags. The dormitories are Henderson Room (4 people), Dutch Room (16 people), Findlay Room (10 people) and Priestman Room (6 people)
The kitchen is fully equipped with catering standard oven and grill. All cooking utensils, pots and pans, plates, bowls and cutlery are included.
