Byland Abbey and Oldstead Observatory ~ Hard Walk

Distance Covered: 5 miles   Time to complete walk: 2h 30m

Safety Tips: Be prepared for the steep parts of the walk, take a walking stick and plenty of water and take regular stops. Also be aware of the steep decline part of the walk from the observatory and make use of your walking stick.

This walk starts at the splendour of Byland Abbey and along the way passes Oldstead Observatory at its highest point on Mount Snever. The walk is challenging due to its steep incline on Mount Snever and will take around 3 hours to complete with time to explore the Abbey and the Observatory.

Getting There

From Middlesbrough head up the A19 north until you reach the A170 turning 9which will take you up Sutton Bank. Then look for the right turning to Wass or Byland Abbey and follow the road through the village of Wass past the abbey and to the car park near the Byland Abbey Inn.

 

Oldstead Observatory   

 

The Walk

 

 

Route of the Byland Abbey to Oldstead Observatory walk

 

 

After leaving the car park you can either start the walk or visit Byland Abbey first to explore its ruins and take a few photos.

 

 

Byland Abbey

 

Now head back up the road you drove on into the village of Wass. In Wass look for a lane to the left which will lead you into Abbey Bank Wood. At the top of the lane look for a gate signed Carn Farm, Observatory.

 

                                                                                                                          

 

 

Signpost to Observatory and Carn Farm

 

 

The path climbs and then leaves the wood edge to rise to a terrace. After a stile, take the L-H path, following Carn Farm. The path is a steep incline. Go straight ahead at two junctions, uphill to reach a large open space. Turn right and just before a waymarked metal gate turn left along the wood edge. Follow the path to Oldstead Observatory bearing left through the wood.

 

 

 

 

 

Oldstead Observatory

 

The Observatory was built in 1838 for astronomers and the inscription on the plaque reads:

  Here hills and waving groves a scene display
And part admit and part exclude the day
See rich industry smiling on the plains
And peace and plenty tell VICTORIA reigns!
Happy the MAN who to these shades retires
Whom NATURE charms and whom the muse inspires
Who wandering thoughtful in this silent wood
Attends the duties of the wise and good
To observe a mean, be to himself a friend
To follow NATURE and regard his end.

 

Continue your walk by passing to the left of the observatory through the wood. Follow the path which drops steeply to a signpost.

 

Turn right on the track signed "Oldstead". Follow the path as it curves left to become a metalled lane. Turn left at the T junction and left onto the road by a seat. Have a well earned pitstop!

 

Just before the road narrows sign turn left. Go through gateposts and over a cattle grid. Then as the avenue of trees ends, take a sharp turn right uphill at a signposted footpath. Climb up to a stile, bending to the left beside the woodland to a gate. After the next gate, keep ahead through two gates and onto a metalled road.

 

 

 Bull Sign on gate

 

Turn right, then, just beyond the road sign which indicates a bend, take a track to the left by the Oldstead Grange sign. Pass the house and go between barns and through a gateway. Bear right downhill on the track, bending right on a track to a gateway with a waymarked tree.

 

Straight after the gateway, turn left through the wood to a Byland Abbey signpost. Follow the path as it bends left by another sign, cross a stile, then the field with its hedge to the left, bending left then right at the end to a signpost. Go through an opening beside a metal gate and along the field with a hedge on your right.

 

Go over two stiles then bear slightly left to another stile. Go across the field to a signpost in the hedge by a metal gate. Follow the fence, then go onto the road by a wooden stile. Turn left back to the car park opposite the Abbey.

 

 

 

View of the Abbey from the road

 

 

Byland Abbey

 

It was founded as a Savigniac abbey in January 1135 and was absorbed by the Cistercian order in 1147. It wasn't an easy start for the community who had had to move five times before settling at New Byland, near Coxwold in 1177. Its early history was marked by disputes with no fewer than four other religious establishments: (Furness Abbey, Calder Abbey, Rievaulx Abbey and Newburgh Priory). However, once it had overcome this bad start, it was described in the late 14th century as "one of the three shining lights of the north". Its financial success was not as great as that of places like Rievaulx, but it was famed for its sheep rearing and wool exports. Its church was said to be among the finest 12th-century churches in Europe.
It was dissolved on 30 November 1538. In 1539, its site was granted to Sir William Pickering.