Sutton Bank - Kilburn - Scotch Corner - Sutton Bank

Phil Catterall

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Sutton Bank - White Horse - Kilburn - Oldstead - Scotch Corner - Sutton Bank

This is a walk that goes above the White Horse of Kilburn and we later get a great view of the figure from near Kilburn. The first 2.5km of the walk is well-graded and wheelchair- and buggy-accessible. This section of the walk provides us with views right across the Vale of Mowbray to the Yorkshire Dales. On a clear day to the west we can pick out Great Whernside (2,310ft) as well as the flatter-topped Addlebrough near Bainbridge, at 1,078ft in the foreground. Beyond the gliding club, we continue on the less popular, ungraded path; this is where wheelchair and buggy access ends. When the country lane is reached we use footpaths to keep us off part of it, before rejoining the lane to take us into Kilburn. The village has a popular pub and a tea room at the Mouseman Visitor Centre. If you depend on it please check the opening times on their website, as the centre is shut for a good part of the winter. Another interesting feature in Kilburn is the unique, carved stone memorial to the men from the village who were lost in the Great War.

Taking to the higher ground again we skirt the village of Oldstead on our way up to the remote location of Scotch Corner, the site of the bloody Battle of Byland between the English and Scots in 1322. The Scots were victorious here and the king fled on his horse to Bridlington, blaming his losses on the Earl of Carlisle for failing to send reinforcements.

At Scotch Corner in 1957 the sculptor John Bunting completed work on the chapel, which was converted from an old drovers' inn, later to become a farmhouse which had fallen into dereliction until John Bunting committed himself to its restoration. The building was restored as a memorial to those killed in the Second World War and contains several of John's carvings and stained glass windows. You can find more details on the johnbunting.co.uk website. The chapel certainly is built on a fine site. The building is usually locked and in the care of Ampleforth School a few miles away.

After the chapel the walk is less interesting until we cross the main A170 Thirsk to Helmsley road to return via woodland to the Sutton Bank North York Moors National Park Visitor Centre (free admittance), where toilets and excellent cafe facilities are available. Parking for the full day here costs a reasonable £2.20 (2011 prices).

England - North England - Yorkshire - North York Moors

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Gift Shop, Good for Wheelchairs, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

8/1/2016 - Joanne Baldwin

A nice walk with some lovely views. We had a problem finding point 2 the little used track its a field with no obvious path across it, not a good start! we ended up going down the steps turning left along the road and picking up point 3. There were a few very overgrown paths around the deer bridge but other than that a lovely walk easy to follow with nice views. We had a lovely day out.

5/31/2015 - Matt Booth

Did this walk in Saturday. As always with Sutton Bank some marvellous views to be had (watch out for the gliders though) Kilburn is a lovely little village. A great walk once again, really enjoyed it.