Wass Wanderer Plus

Phil Catterall

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This is one of my favourite parts of the North York Moors National Park, where the park abuts the Howardian Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

We start the walk on the very edge of the National Park in the parish of Ampleforth before entering the parish of Byland with Wass. We walk towards Ampleforth Village itself, where there are two excellent pubs, The White Swan and The White Horse. However, we stop short of them and turn left, but they could of course be visited after the walk...

After passing a memorial seat (put in place by a friend of mine who was widowed here when she lived at High Woods Farm), we reach Wass Bank Road, where after a short road-walk we enter the forestry for a time. We soon pass Stanbrook Abbey, a nunnery community which can trace its roots back to the 17th Century in Flanders. The new abbey was built in the 21st Century.

Continuing the walk over a short permissive field-path across Wass Moor, we reach the parish of Oldstead. Once again we avoid passing the pub - this time it is The Black Swan, renowned for its Michelin Star fine dining status. It is owned by a local farming family and in recent years has gone from strength to strength.

After a short road section we reach Byland Abbey and the Abbey Inn, both historic places owned and run by English Heritage. Byland Abbey Inn has a tea room and offers B&B Accommodation and on the day I did this walk they were hosting a wedding.

The original Wass Wanderer Walk turns right after Byland Abbey; this slightly extended version of the walk adds around 1km extra, which I believe makes it even more enjoyable. As you go down into Wass you reach a traditional village pub called The Stapylton Arms. We aren't short of village pubs in North Yorkshire!

Please note that due to the number of stiles without opening gates on this walk, it may not be suitable for walkers with large dogs.

England - North England - Yorkshire - North York Moors

Features

Ancient Monument, Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Great Views, Moor, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Tea Shop, Wildlife, Woodland

1/9/2017 - Phil Catterall

Thank you for your message Joanne. I have now added some extra guidance information to Waypoint 11 to make the way from there clearer. Regards, Phil Catterall, WW Contributor.

7/23/2016 - Joanne Baldwin

A nice walk but we had problems with points 11-12 we couldn't find the path and ended up miles out of our way. I have reported this so hopefully it will be looked at. Other than that a nice route quite flat and easy to follow.

9/1/2015 - Phil Catterall

Hi Jill I've reworded the details for Waymarks 06 & 07 and re-located waymark 07 after checking my notes and re-walking that section of the route. I'm confident you'll find the stile now! Thank you for your comments - Phil Catterall.

8/19/2015 - Jill Potter

We have tried this walk 2 week in a row and have been unable to find the stile at waymark 7, just a wire fence along the edge of the woods.