From Buckden’s village green a road branches from the valley road, climbing out towards Bishop’s Dale and Wensleydale. This is Buckden Rake, part of the old Roman road from Olicana (Ilkley) to Virosidum (Bainbridge, in Wensleydale). The "valley of the bucks" extended from here, high into Langstrothdale. In medieval times, Buckden was no more than a hunting lodge deep in the forest. Deer were hunted from Norman times up to the 1950s. Above the village is Buckden Pike, a prominent Yorkshire landmark. For five hundred years until the 1880s lead was mined up there. When Hubberholme Bridge, a mile or so upstream, was swept away in a flood in the late 18th century £200 was put up for a replacement, which was then built at Buckden. It was called Election Bridge, referring to the prospective MP who promised the bridge if he was elected.