10.7 miles
Explorer Map OL26, - North York Moors (Western Area)
A walk that uses easy to follow tracks and footpaths,
with a bit of road walking.
Starting from the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre, the walk then takes in
the village of Cold Kirby, the valley of Flassendale, and the village
of Old Byland before returning via Cold Kirby.
There are no particular problems with the route, apart from the descent
into Flassendale. The footpath proper follows a very steep drop, which
in wet weather can be somewhat slippery. However, this can easily be
avoided by following a Forestry track to the valley bottom.
Possibly the highlight of the walk is the ancient church of All Saints'
in Old Byland. This church has traces of Saxon architecture, and is
well worth a visit.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory Map)
Some new mapping software is now available which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers web site, - just use QUO!!
Start from the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre (SE51644 83115).
Just opposite the Visitor Centre car park, at the junction of the road
that leads to Cold Kirby, there is a well signposted footpath and cycle
track that heads East through the plantation.
After a short distance there is a signposted footpath to Hambleton House
on your left. Pedestrians are meant to follow this path, as the alternative
(continuing Eastwards on a well made track) is designated for cyclists
only.
FRom Hambleton House, follow the clearly signposted footpath to Cold Kirby.
Head down Cold Kirby's main street to the church. Just past the church,
where the road bears left, continue straight ahead along the track to
Flassendale.
Descend into Flassendale and continue North Eastwards on the clear and
broad track. Where this joins the Cleveland Way footpath again, continue
past the ponds in Spring Wood to Ashberry Farm.
At Ashberry Farm, turn left up the minor road.
a short distance up this road there is a signposted footpath through Reins
Wood, Dick Wood and Low Gill that takes you to Old Byland. In wet weather
this path can be a bit muddy, and an alternative route is simply to follow
the road to Old bYland.
Turn left when you reach the village of Old Byland, and cross the village
Green to visit All Saints' Church.
From the village Green, take the road to Cold Kirby.
Ignore the footpath on your left that leads to Tanker Dale. A short distance
past this, on your left, is a bridleway to Cold Kirby.
Once in the village, retrace your steps to the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre.