Helmsley - Hasty Bank Farm in Riccal Dale - Kirkbymoorside

Christine Bibby

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Leave the lovely town of Helmsley by the churchyard and then shortly after enter the peace and beauty of the nearby countryside. Visit three dales, Ash Dale, Riccal Dale and Kirk Dale, where you cross the river by an old water mill. Between the dales are wooded slopes and open countryside where you can see the majestic high ground to the north, where Wainwright crossed on his way to Robin Hood's Bay; and the Wolds to the south. See primroses and daffodils in April, bluebells in May and butterflies and birds and other wildlife. There is some road-walking, but these are quiet country roads even on a Bank Holiday. The day is rounded off by refreshment in Kirkbymoorside while waiting for the bus.

England - North England - Yorkshire - North York Moors

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Gift Shop, Great Views, Hills or Fells, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland

8/1/2012 - Christine Bibby

Thank you Paul for your very helpful comments. The walk across to Kirkbymoorside was quite difficult when the route was first researched, but improvements to access have since been made. I would suggest that after point 23, walk down the road to the entrance to Aklam Grange (grid ref. SE6557387274) then join my new route, 6537 at point 8. This makes a very pleasant alternative to the end of the original route including your suggestion of making a visit to the minster. However, owing to the stiles and stock in the fields, I'm afraid it is not dog-friendly.

7/15/2012 - Paul Rowe

We did enjoy this walk, but changed a couple of things. Firstly, we walked east to Riccal Dale, then along the rim of the Dale past Rea Garth Farm, before continuing as suggested. I would definitely suggest continuing south along Kirk Dale after Hole Caldron (between points 27 and 28), to take in St Gregory's Minster (grid ref 677857), which dates back to Saxon times, and avoids the final stretch on the road.