Grassington & River Wharfe ~ Medium Walk

Distance Covered: 5 miles   Time to complete walk: 2.5 hours

Total Steps: approx. 14,000

Safety Tips: The path can be stony - wear appropriate hiking boots and take a walking stick. Wear sun protection as the first half of the walk is over fields- take plenty of water. There are a few squeeze stiles along the way.

This walk starts at the gorgeous market town of Grassington. Theres plenty of shops and eateries in the town. The walk then covers open farmland, woodlands and then a lovely riverside walk back to Grassington. The path can be on an uneven stony path so take care and a walking stick.

 

The Grassington & River Wharfe walk

 

 

Getting There

From Middlesbrough follow the A19 southbound to Thirsk. Then join the A168 out of Thirsk. Follow this into Ripon. Then follow the B265 out of Ripon. Keep on the B265 and you will arrive at Grassington. Parking is found at the Natonal Park carpark and is £5.00 for over 2 hours.

 

Map of the Grassington & River Wharfe walk

 

 

The Walk



From the carpark turn left and head towards the Main Street

 

Nartional Park carpark

 

 

The Main Street is on your right and is packed full with lovely shops and cafes

 

 

 

 

Head up the Main street

  

 

Near the top of the main street, turn left into Chapel Street

 

 

 

Turn left into Chapel Street

 

Leave Chapel Street at Bank Lane which is a right turn off signed to the Dales Way.

 

 

 

Turn right into Bank Lane

 

Follow the lane up a walled path and look to the left for a narrow gate as you come to a fork in the path.

 

 

 

Head up Bank Lane

 

Look out for a small gate to your left





  Cross over the field and look for a stile in a wall opposite

 

 

Head towards a stile in the wall

 

After the stile head towards the left and walk on a newly laid gravel farm track. Head forwards towards a small aqueeze stile.

 

 

 

Follow the gravel path ahead

 

 

Head towards a stile in the wall

 

 

In the field head towards the wall and then veer to the left following grassy track. Look for a gap in the wall and go through it. 

 

 

Follow the grass track

 

 

Go through the gap in the wall

 

Head towards another stile in the wall ahead

 

 

 

Head towards another stile in the wall

 



 

Stile in the wall

 

Look for the signpost to the Dales Way and at a fork in the path keep to the left and follow the track with the wall to your left

 

Signpost on the Dales Way

 

Follow the track to the left

 

 

You are now walking on Lea Green which is the site of ancient settlements. The path stays near the wall along the track which meanders through the settlement

 

 

 

Ancient Settlement at Lea Green

 

Limestone on the path

 

 

The path continues parallel to the wall for some time. When the path is joined from the right look for a gate on your left

 

 

 

Gate on your left

Head through the gate and follow the path as it winds eventually through the shaded woodland

 

Walk along the path to the woods

 

You will eventually arrive at a distinctive ladder stile and gate

 

 

 

Go over the ladder stile

 

 

Make your way through the Grass Wood Nature Reserve following the path

 

 

 

Grass Wood Nature Reserve sign

 

 

When you arrive at a signpost turn right signposted for Grass Wood Lane

 

 



 

Turn right at the signpost

 

 

Follow the path ignoring any branch offs and you will arrive at a gate to Grass Wood Lane. Instead of going through the gate head to the left on the woodland path

 

 

 

Follow the path through the woods

 

Turn left when arriving at the gate to Grass Wood Lane

 

Look for a branch in the path to the right which is heading to a gate and car parking spaces

 

Go through the gate onto Grass Wood Lane

 

 

When on the lane turn right and follow the road back until you come to a gate to your left which is the path to the River Wharfe signed as Lower Grass Wood. Follow this path down to the riverside

 

 

 

Sign to Lower Grass Wood

 

Go through the gate on a path to the River Wharfe

 

 

The path leads down to the river. Walk beside the river. Depending on whether it has rained or not the river path is an enjoyable walk

 

 

 

Follow the River path

 

View of the River Wharfe

 

When you come to a fork in the path keep to the right to join the river again

 

 

 

Take the lower path to the right 





Follow the path through stiles and there are plentiful picnic pitstops along the way

 

 

 

Head through the stile

 

Picnic pitstops!

 

 

Keep following the river as it bends which is called Ghaistrills Strid. When you come to a signpost follow it upwards over a stile

 

 

 

Tree beside the river

 

Follow the direction of the signpost

Keep to the riverside over the field which soon ends up at a ladder stile

 

Fell tree along the river path

 

View of the river bed

 

Ladder stile

 

Follow the path towards some steps in the wall

 

 

 

Go over the steps in the wall

 

Follow the river path until you come to a footbridge

 

 

 

Go over the footbridge

 





Follow the next field to the bridge into Grassington. Head to the left of the bridge

 

Head towards the bridge

 

Follow the path to the left of the bridge

 

Turn left on the road and then right again and back to the carpark

 

Grassington

 

Grassington is a market town and civil parish in the Craven district of North Yorkshire, England. The population at the 2011 Census was 1,126.Historically part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, the town is situated in Wharfedale, about 8 miles (10 km) north-west from Bolton Abbey, and is surrounded by limestone scenery. Nearby villages include Linton, Threshfield, Hebden, Conistone and Kilnsey.

The Domesday Book lists Grassington as part of the estate of Gamal Barn including 7 carucates of ploughland (840 acres/350ha) including Grassington, Linton and Threshfield.The Norman conquest of England made it part of the lands of Gilbert Tison. But by 1118 Tison had suffered a demotion and his lands returned to the king then given to Lord Percy.
Originally the settlement was spelt as Gherinstone and also was documented as Garsington or Gersington. The name Grassington derives variously from the Scandinavian, Anglo-Saxon and Gothic languages and means either the town of the grassy ings or a farmstead surrounded by grass.
Grassington was historically a township in the parish of Linton in the West Riding of Yorkshire. It became a separate civil parish in 1866,and was transferred to North Yorkshire in 1974.
Although often described by local people as a village, Grassington was granted a Royal Charter for a market and fair in 1282 giving it market town status.The market was held regularly until about 1860. A change in land use from the early 17th century, when lead mining began to assume more importance, brought some prosperity, but Grassington's heyday arrived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The opening of the Yorkshire Dales Railway to Threshfield in 1902 brought new visitors, many of whom settled, some finding work in Skipton or in the developing limestone quarries. The Old Hall at Grassington is reputedly the oldest house in Yorkshire, dating from the late 13th or early 14th century.
Grassington & Threshfield Golf Club (now defunct) was founded in 1908. The club continued until the Second World War.
Grassington is the main residential and tourist centre in Upper Wharfedale Centred on its small cobbled square are shops, public houses, the village museum, small cafes, restaurants and hotels. Grassington Folk Museum houses a collection which tells the story of Wharfedale. It is an independent museum run and managed by volunteers. Upper Wharfedale Fell Rescue Association, based in Grassington, is a voluntary mountain rescue organisation which rescues people in trouble on the surrounding fells and in caves.
Grassington Festival is a two-week-long annual event started in 1980, with music, performance and visual arts, held in a number of venues around the village.
Every September since 2011, Grassington has held a 1940s themed weekend. Events include war re-enactments, dances and a variety of military and civilian vehicles on display from the period.
In the winter Grassington holds the Dickensian Festival, with period costumes, Christmas activities and commercial selling.
A Yorkshire Dales National Park information centre is on Hebden Road.
Three miles north of Grassington, at Kilnsey, is the glacially carved overhang of Kilnsey Crag.
Grass Wood, an area of ancient woodland including the Iron-Age fort, Fort Gregory (also known as Gregory's Fort), is situated just over 3 miles (5 km) north-west of Grassington.

 

 





 

Malton ~ Hard Walk

Distance Covered: 10 miles   Time to complete walk: 5 hours
 
Total Steps: approx. 24,000

Safety Tips:  The riverside part of the walk can be very overgrown. Wear long sleeves and trousers and take a walking to stick to negotiate through the nettles. The path teeters near the rivers edge so take extra care by using your walking stick. There is a busy main road to cross- use the pedestrian crossing but be aware the cars are very fast on this busy road. When walking back into Malton stay on the grass verge as although the road is a minor one, the cars whizz past.

A good walk for experienced walkers who don't mind getting close to nature as the riverside path can be very overgrown, depending on the time of year you do the walk. However the path ahead is still clear and the rest of the walk is free of nettles! The walk would be best done on  Sunday when there is a Food Market in Malton. Malton is known as the food capital of Yorkshire. Food Markets which offer all manner of food take place twice a month over the summer. More information about the food markets can be found here: https://www.visitmalton.com

 

The Malton Walk

 

Getting There

From Middlesbrough follow the B1257 into Hemlsley. Then turn right out of Helmsley to join the A170. Then leave the A170 and join the B1257 again which is signposted to Malton. Keep on this road which leads to Malton. Parking is found at the long stay car park at Water Lane and is £5.00 for over three hours.

 

Map of the Malton Walk

 

 

The Walk

From the car park at Water Lane turn right and walk over the bridge over the River Derwent.

 

Turn right out of the car park

 

View of the river from the bridge

Turn right again into Riverside View.

 

Turn right onto Riverside View

 

 

Follow the road down past a playground onto the riverside path.

 

 

Join the riverside path to the right of the playground

 

Follow the riverside path which is clear at first with the railway to your left.

 

 

Keep on the path

 

Ignore a turn off to the right which leads to a dead end and instead follow the path with the railway line above on your left.

 

 

 

Keep ahead

  

Near a railway crossing keep ahead on a path which can be overgrown. Use your walking stick to clear the way ahead. Keep on this track which is very close to the railway line. Eventually you will find your way to a very welcome waymark.

 

 

Make your way through the overgrown path

 

 

Waymark

  

Head for a stile and you will find yourself on a cornfield

 

Head towards the stile

 

Emerge onto the cornfield

Turn right and follow the edge of the cornfield and look for a gate ahead to the right.

 

Follow the cornfield to the right

 

 

Head for a gate in the distance

  

Go through the gate and keep on the grassy track heading towards the river and a small waymarked gate.

 

 

 

Go through the gate and keep on the path towards the river

 

 

Go through the waymarked gate

 

 

The path becomes grassy until you come to a clearing and another waymark.

 

 

 

Follow the grassy track



 

 

Waymark at a clearing

 

Look out for trains to your left. Follow the track through another waymarked gate and head for another.

 

 

 

Head towards another gate

  

Eventually you arrive at another kissing gate.

 

 

Go through the kissing gate

 

 

Head onto the path which again can be overgrown and is close to the river. Use your walking stick to clear the path ahead and walk carefully. The path is very close to the river however is a very enjoyable journey.

 

 

Follow the path carefully

 

Eventually you go under the railway bridge and arrive at a bridge over the river.

 

 

 

Walk under the railway bridge

 

Walk over the bridge

 

 

The bridge is quite wobbly. Head to a path and turn right and walk under the railway bridge again.

 

 

 

Turn right onto the track

 

 

 

Walk under the railway bridge



 

Walk past some houses and look for a road to the right signposted to High Hutton.

 

 

Follow the road to High Hutton

 

 

Walk past the village hall to your right.

 

 

 

Walk past the village hall

 

 

When you come to a bus shelter on the corner turn right and walk through High Hutton.

 

 

Turn right at the bus shelter



 

 

Walk through High Hutton

 

 

As you come out of the village turn left just before a church and follow the road.

 

 

 

Follow the road to the left



 

 

Turn right and then right again past Hutton Hall

 

 

 

Turn right at the junction

 

Walk past Hutton Hall

 

You soon come to a very busy road. Follow the road to the right and there is a pedestrian crossing. Cross the road and then head back to the left to a path signposted to Low Gaterley.

 

 

 

Join the path signposted to Low Gaterley

 

 

Follow this path which can be overgrown down the field to a track below

 

 

 

Follow the track down

 

 

Turn right onto the track

 

 

Follow the track until you come to a farm. Take the path left signposted to Low Gaterley.

 

 

 

Turn left and head past  the farm

  

Keep ahead onto a field with the hedge to your right. then head to your right through a gap in the hedge.

 

 

Head onto the grassy track

 

Go through gap in the hedge and then keep the hedge to your left 

 



Head towards the edge of the field then turn right and look for a hidden footbridge and gate to your left

 

 

Go over the hidden footbridge to your left

 

 

Keep straight ahead until you come to a signposted to the right to Easthorpe.

 

 

 

Turn right at the sign post to Easthorpe



 

Keep straight ahead with views of Castle Howard to your left until you come to a gate

 

Castle Howard to your left

 

Go through gate

 

 

Follow this path through a field until you emerge onto a gravel path. Turn right and walk through the woods.

 

 

 

Follow the track through the field

 

Turn right on to gravel path

 

 

Head through the woods

 

 

Soon you emerge onto a road. Although a minor road, cars drive fast on this road. Turn right and follow the road back into Malton.

 

 

 

Turn right onto the road

 

 

 

Malton

 

Malton is a market town, civil parish and electoral ward in North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the North Riding of Yorkshire, the town is the location of the offices of Ryedale District Council and has a population of around 13,000 people, measured for both the civil parish and the electoral ward at the 2011 Census as 4,888.
It is located to the north of the River Derwent which forms the historic boundary between the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire.
Facing Malton on the other side of the Derwent is Norton. The Karro Food Group (formerly known as Malton Bacon Factory), Malton bus station and Malton railway station are located in Norton-on-Derwent.
Malton is the local area's commercial and retail centre. In the town centre there are small traditional independent shops and high street names. The market place has recently become a meeting area with a number of coffee bars and cafés opening all day to complement the public houses.
Malton is a market town, civil parish and electoral ward in North Yorkshire, England. Historically part of the North Riding of Yorkshire, the town is the location of the offices of Ryedale District Council and has a population of around 13,000 people, measured for both the civil parish and the electoral ward at the 2011 Census as 4,888.
It is located to the north of the River Derwent which forms the historic boundary between the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire.
Facing Malton on the other side of the Derwent is Norton. The Karro Food Group (formerly known as Malton Bacon Factory), Malton bus station and Malton railway station are located in Norton-on-Derwent.
Malton is the local area's commercial and retail centre. In the town centre there are small traditional independent shops and high street names. The market place has recently become a meeting area with a number of coffee bars and cafés opening all day to complement the public houses.





In the 11th century, a wooden Norman castle, Malton Castle, was built in what is now Castle Garden. This had been rebuilt in stone by Eustace de Vescy (1169-1216) by the time Richard the Lionheart visited the castle in 1189. Other visitors included Edward II, in 1307 and Robert the Bruce in 1322. The great house subsequently became ruined.
The castle site was inherited by Lord William Eure (c. 1483-1548) in 1544, when he was also made a baron.In 1569 Ralph Eure built a new house on the castle site and in 1602, the house was rebuilt in much grander style. This was a spectacular property and it was described by the diarist and gunpowder plotter Sir Henry Slingsby as the rival of many other great houses, including that at Audley End.
The house was subsequently demolished in 1674 and the stones divided between two sisters, Mary (who married into the Palmes family) and Margaret Eure. They had quarrelled over their inheritance and the demolition was the settlement ordered by Sheriff Henry Marwood. The Old Lodge Hotel is the remaining fragment of the original Jacobean "prodigy house" and its size hints at the grandeur of the complete structure.
Attractions in modern Malton include the signposted remains of the Roman fort at 'Orchard Fields', and Malton Priory a Gilbertine priory. Eden Camp, a military themed museum, is located just outside the town. Malton Museum is located at the Subscription Rooms in Yorkersgate. The town has an independent cinema, which also houses the World Wide Shopping Mall, and independent retailers, high street shops, cafés, public houses and restaurants. Malton's two microbreweries, Brass Castle and Bad Seed, host an annual spring 'BEERTOWN' festival at the town's Milton Rooms.
Both towns are known in connection with Charles Dickens, who made regular visits to the area to see his friend Charles Smithson; he also wrote the famous novel "A Christmas Carol" while staying in Malton. There have been recent revivals of Dickens-related festivals. Malton and the neighbouring village of Old Malton provide the settings for the collection of stories told in the book, "All is Bright - A Yorkshire Lad's Christmas" by Dave Preston.
In September 2013 Ryedale District Council issued their Local Plan Strategy. The current Local Plan, produced in September 2013, supports Malton (together with Norton, its twin town on the south side of the river Derwent) as Ryedale District’s Principal Town. The Local Plan sees Malton’s historic town centre as the thriving and attractive cultural and economic heart of the area. During the Plan’s period until 2027, Malton and Norton will be the focus for the majority of any new development and growth including new housing, employment and retail units. The Local Plan establishes a level of house-building of 200 units per annum for the whole district in order to deliver at least 3,000 (net) new homes over the period of 2012 to 2027. Approximately 50% of the planned supply – around 1,500 new homes - will be directed to Malton and Norton. A further plan for employment land is proposed for Malton. Of the 37 hectares of employment land required to meet the needs of the district until 2027, approximately 80% will be allocated towards Malton and Norton. For retail development the plan reflects Malton’s role as the main retail centre serving Ryedale, and will direct most new retail and other town centre uses to Malton in order to support and promote its role as a shopping, employment, leisure and cultural centre for Ryedale.
Malton holds a market every Saturday, and a farmers' market once every month. The town has a war memorial and several historical churches (Norton-on-Derwent also holds large church buildings). The town is served by Malton railway station. The livestock market, currently situated on the edge of the town centre will be relocated to a site close to Eden Camp once construction work there is complete.
Malton is the middle-ground between York, Pickering (access to the North York Moors and also a terminus of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway), Scarborough, Filey and Whitby. The route of The White Rose Way, a long distance walk from Leeds to Scarborough, North Yorkshire also passes through Malton.
Malton and Norton is significant for its horse racing connections, and has a number of training stables in the vicinity. The most recent Malton Stables Open Day, held in August 2013, showcased 19 trainer stables. Writer Norman Maitland describes the history of horse racing as "being in the blood in this part of Yorkshire for generations ..." with meetings being advertised as early as 1692.
Malton was voted one of the best places to live in Britain by The Sunday Times in March 2014.
The 300-year-old Fitzwilliam Malton Estate owns and manages commercial, residential and agricultural property in and around the town of Malton. In 1713 The Hon Thomas Watson Wentworth purchased the Manor of Malton, beginning a long association between the town and the Wentworth, Watson-Wentworth, Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, and Naylor-Leyland families. A book detailing the history since 1713 was published in 2013, entitled 300 years of continuity and change: families and business in Malton from the 18th century to the present.