Walks archive

Monthly Oswaldkirk walk guides.

October 2026 – Yearsley Moor

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Date: Sunday 25th October, 2026
Time: 10.00am (Clocks go back!)
Start: Yearsley Moor (as per map)
Lunch: The Fauconberg Arms in Coxwold
Time: 1.45pm

The walk this month is being organised by Carol and will take place in and around Yearsley Woods.

I attach a map of the walk which will start at 10am on 25th October, which is the day that the clocks go back. We shall be eating at The Fauconburg Arms in Coxwold.

Please could you let both me and Carol know if you wish to join the walk and also indicate if you wish to eat lunch. I am awaiting the Sunday Lunch menu from the restaurant and will send it on to anyone who will be eating as the restaurant would appreciate us pre-ordering as early as possible.

Best wishes,
Veronica

June 2026 – Hood Hill

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Date: Sunday 28th June, 2026
Time: 10.45am
Start: The car park below The White Horse (at the bottom of Low Town Bank Road)
End: Close to Mencliffe Hag on the Bagby to Kilburn Road
Distance: No more than 4km
Coffee Stop: Yes, with seating but no facilities.
Lunch: The Forrester’s Arms in Kilburn
Time: 1.45pm

The next Oswaldkirk Village Walk will take place on Sunday 28th June.

I apologise for leaving it so late to contact you but initial ideas for areas to walk were unsuitable with the onset of forecasts of extreme heat. As a consequence the walk planned for this month will be a short one (no more that 4km) and will be in woodland surrounding Hood Hill near Sutton Bank. The walking is on tracks and paths with some undulations but no long or steep climbs. The second half of the walk was to be on marked footpaths across open farmland to complete the circle, however that part of the walk has had to be abandoned due to neglected footpaths in terms of poor signage, locked gates, broken stiles and almost impenetrable vegetation in places. (We did complete it and are now recovering from our wounds!) Hence we shall walk only in woodland with car parks at each end, necessitating cars being parked at both sites. There are no stiles on the walk, and dogs are welcomed. There will be a longish coffee stop (bring your own drinks) with seating but no facilities. Short walks can be enjoyed from either end of the track by those wanting only a short amble. The walk starts at the car park below The White Horse (at the bottom of Low Town Bank Road) at 10.45 and finishes at a parking area close to Mencliffe Hag on the Bagby to Kilburn Road.

We plan to lunch at 1pm at The Forrester’s Arms in Kilburn, but due to a recent change in catering staff there is no menu available yet. I am assured that there will be a comprehensive Sunday Lunch menu, which will be sent to me mid-week, but it is unlikely that they will require pre-ordering.

I would therefore be very grateful if you could reply to me by the morning of Wednesday 24th June letting me know if you will be walking and/or eating so that I can plan car-sharing, let the Pub know how many diners to expect, and so I will know who to send menus to.

Best wishes,

Veronica

April 2026 – Appleton-le-Moors

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Date: Sunday 26th April, 2026
Time: 10.30am
Start: The Moors Inn, Appleton le Moors, meet on the roadside
Distance: 4.5 miles approx
Coffee Stop: Sinnington
Lunch: The Moors Inn
Time: 1.45pm

The April walk has been organised by Pat Thompson assisted by Mary Thomas and is a circular walk starting from Appleton le Moors taking a route via Sinnington, and the approximate route map can be viewed below.  The walk passes through beautiful countryside including a river side stretch, areas of woodland with wild flowers including bluebells and garlic, and open grassland. 

The menu will be sent as soon as it is received, please send your food orders to Pat Thompson by Wednesday 22nd April, and please choose your main course and dessert in advance.

The pub have asked for cash payment for the food, cards can be used for drink purchases, so please put your cash in a sealed envelope with your name, food choices and amount of payment written on the envelope, sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

We have tried the food and can confirm that the main courses and desserts are excellent, and can be highly recommended, all home made.

Kind Regards

Pat Thompson and Mary Thomas 

March 2026 – Westow

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Date: Sunday 29 March
Start: 10.45am
Distance Full Walk: 3.8 miles 
Lunch venue: The Blacksmith’s Arms at Westow

As we will be having lunch at The Blacksmith’s Arms at Westow, we plan to start the walk on the far side of the River Derwent (a short distance from the pub).  Parking will be on a firm verge by the side of the road and although there is enough space we would encourage folks to share transport if possible. 

The walk crosses the River Derwent suspension footbridge to the Low Hutton side of the river.  In total this circular walk is about 3.8 miles through woods and farm track.  There is only one stile and one hill out of the valley.  We have chosen this walk because it shouldn’t too muddy (even in March) but no guarantees! 

We are booked in for 1.00 pm (there is a party following us) so we plan to start the walk at 10.45 am.  We need to confirm numbers and menu choices by Saturday 21 March so please let us know as soon as you can.  

Look forward to hearing from you.

Rich and Sam 

November 2025 – Kirkbymoorside

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Date: Sunday 23 November
Start: 11.00am
Meet: Car park, Kirkbymoorside Gold Club
Distance Full Walk: 7km
Distance Short Walk: 3km 
Lunch venue: Treetops Bistro, Kirkbymoorside Golf Club

We start from the Kirkbymoorside Golf Club car park at 1100. Parking is available here. We are also eating at the Golf Club. This is an excellent carvery with locally sourced and home-roast meats complimented by seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes and expertly created Yorkshire puddings
[their words, not mine].

  • One Course £16.00
  • Two Courses £22.50
  • Three Courses £29.00

No need to choose your meal now. You can check out the food options on the Club website.

This is flat walk, on good tracks that shouldn’t be too muddy – specially designed and crafted for late November weather. It is around 7km long. There is just one short climb at the start.

There is a 3km, short walk option which starts the same as the longer walk, but returns along the path marked in red on the map.

Please let us know if you are coming on the walk, and/or if you are joining us for the meal. Sadly there are no rivers to ford, or stiles to clamber over.

John & Rhona

Map of circular walk from Kirkbymoorside golf club heading north in a 7km loop.

October 2025 – Old Byland

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Date: Sunday 26th October
Distance: 6 miles
Lunch venue: Ampleforth

The October walk on the 26th of Ocotber will be a 6 mile circular walk across the moors from Sneck Yate (north-west of Old Byland) past High Paradise Farm. Afterwards we shall be eating in Ampleforth.

June 2025 – Ampleforth

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Date: Sunday 22nd June
Start: 11.00am
Meet: Ampleforth College Café car park
Distance: 3 miles or so
Lunch venue: Ampleforth College Café

This month’s walk is to be held on Sunday 22nd June and is being organised by David and Gaynor Badham.

The weather forecast is for high temperatures this weekend so this will be a fairly short walk of 3 to 3.5 miles and will be partly through woodland. Please ensure that you have suitable clothing for the weather conditions and that you carry some fluids to drink.

The walk will start at 11am at Ampleforth College Café car park. The walk is over fairly flat terrain and there will be a stop in woodland  near the lakes for a short refreshment break.

On our return to Ampleforth College we shall have lunch at the College Café, choosing from the menu on the day as people may not want to eat a full meal in hot weather. Although we do not have to let David and Gaynor know about menu choices, please let them know if you will be taking part in the walk and also if you intend to eat in the café.

May 2025 – Oulston Reservoir

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Date: Sunday 25th May
Start: 11.00am
Meet: Yearsley, near the church
Distance Full Walk: Under 5 Miles
Distance Short Walk: 2 Miles approx 
Lunch venue: The Fauconberg Arms, Coxwold
Lunch Time: 14.30

The full walk is circular starting in Yearsley and covers just under 5 miles.  There is plenty of room to park on the left hand side near the church so please meet there. 

There is also a short walk of just under 2 miles which some members are taking part in and includes a stop at the reservoir, please contact Pat for details if you want to do this one. 

You will be led to a public footpath at the start of the walk passing through the garden of Bay Tree Cottage, and continuing to Pond Head and Oulston Reservoir.

Attached are some stunning photos to give you an idea of the beautiful countryside and scenery that you will experience on the walk.

The walk is suitable for dogs but they may need to be on a lead in Yearsley and near Pond Head Farm where there are sheep and other animals. 

There will be a coffee break on the banks of the reservoir so please bring refreshments. 

Please would you reply to the email asap to give an idea of numbers for the walk and lunch, and secure your lunch booking. A second email will need to be sent later regarding menu choices 

The menu will be sent out on 18th May and please would you email your lunch order to Mary or Pat before 23 May.

March 2025 – Cow House Bank

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Date: Sunday 23rd March 2025
Start: 11.00am
Meet: Cow House Bank car park
Length of walk: 5 miles
Lunch Venue: The Feathers, Helmsley
Time: 2.15pm

Our next outing is a week on Sunday – 23rd March – which Jane and I are organising. First an apology. We had planned to generate a “different“ walk and venue breaking or at least treading some new ground but unfortunately with Jane’s accident and a couple of other things we have not been able to find time for the recce etc. So, we plan to start from Cow House Bank car park at 1100 and then meet up at the Feathers Hotel to dine at 1415. Cow House Bank car park being off the Carlton Road which is opposite the garage in Helmsley. The walk is around 5 miles and should be fairly straightforward and ok for dogs [on leads over short sections].

The Sunday menu is attached and please advise before close of play next Wednesday 18th March as to whether you are walking and/or dining with menu choices if appropriate

The Feathers Hotel, Sunday menuDownload

Many thanks Jane and Roger

February 2025 – Hutton-le-Hole

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Date: Sunday 23rd February 2025
Time: 1100am
Start: The Crown, Hutton-le-Hole
Lunch: The Crown, Hutton-le-Hole
Length: About four miles

Start – 11a.m. at Hutton-le-Hole

Parking in the pub (The Crown) car park, which is free because we are eating there after the walk.

The walk is approximately 4 miles. Dog friendly but there will be places where they will need to be on a lead.

It is an easy walk with just one incline that isn’t too hard. No fences.

Lunch at The Crown at 2.15pm

The menu is Roast Pork or Roast Beef plus all the trimmings £19.95

Mushroom,brie, and cranberry wellington £18.95

There is no need to pre book the choices, Ann and I just need numbers.

If you could let us know if you are walking and eating or just joining us for the meal by Sunday 16th February. Please let Wendy know on 01439788501, wanddskilbeck@btinternet.com

Looking forward to seeing you all.

Ann and Wendy