Buttertubs Pass is the name given to Cliff Gate Road (B6270 road), which connects the dales of Wensleydale and Swaledale in the Yorkshire Dales. The road is 8.8km (5.5 miles) long stretching from the hamlet of Hardraw (just north of Hawes) to the village of Thwaite. Along the road, you’ll find the mind-blowing Buttertubs, which are a group of deep limestone potholes with unique vertical shafts. Indeed, the road is named after this limestone attraction.
There are various theories about the name Buttertubs. But, the most popular theory is that farmers used the cool depths of the potholes to store their butter. Using the Buttertubs in this way, meant they didn’t have to haul heavy loads of butter down from the road to their farms in and around Thwaite, only having to clamber back up the road with it the next time they had to go to sell the butter at the markets in Hawes.
Given its uniqueness, the Buttertubs are actually part of the Cliff Force Cave geological Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Buttertubs Pass is also well-known as the second King of the Mountains climb of the Grand Depart of the 2014 Tour de France. On top of that, the famous English broadcaster Jeremy Clarkson described the pass as ”England’s only truly spectacular road”. So, part of the road’s fame is owing to Mr. Clarkson!
Sure, there are many awe-inspiring high roads and passes in the Yorkshire Dales. But, the Buttertubs Pass has to be the most scenic country road in the area.
music by Christine and the Queens - Full of life