The best circular walk in the North York Moors

Day 2


Hutton-le-Hole to Levisham        

 

13 miles



We heard the wind against the windows and opening the curtains saw that it was snowing, although none had laid.  Cars passing by had a layer of snow on them and at breakfast we were told Rosedale had a good covering.

After a lovely breakfast at the Barn we set off kitted out in wet weather gear and indeed it snowed on and off until 2pm.  We were lucky to have the wind to our side or rear and only walked into it for short stretches.


Leaving Hutton-leHole

It soon starts to snow


Grassy track


We left Hutton-le-Hole along the track to the side of the Folk Museum following the signs for Lastingham.  Our path led us through woods and fields until we joined the road just before walking down into Lastingham.  It was snowing heavily and we stopped to chat to the Church Warden, who had just unlocked the church, and, sheltering under his umbrella  told us what wonderful weather he had enjoyed last week in Devon.  We were glad to look around the church which was dry and warm.





Entering Lastingham

The Blacksmith's Arms at Lastingham

Weather vane at The Blacksmiths



St Mary's Church



We decide to explore the church

We had the church to ourselves and it was nice to look around while we warmed through. We read that the church is on one of the earliest Christian sites as it was hear that St Cedd established his monastery in 654AD.  There is a stone crypt, built in the 11th century and we descended to have a look, finding it a very peaceful spot.


Inside St Mary's


Stairs to the crypt


Carole in the crypt


Serpents on a Saxon stone


Back to the outside world

We returned to the snow and as we walked out of Lastingham we paused to admire an ancient well dedicated to St Cedd.  On leaving the village we returned to field paths before crossing a stone footbridge over Ings Beck.


Approaching St Cedds Well


St Cedd's Well

The Inn Way sign leads us off the road...

... and into muddy paths

Bridge over Ings Beck

We reached Scarth Wood where there was a steep drop to the side of our track after which we returned to fields and more woodland until we came to an overgrown track known as Bull Ing Lane.
After half a mile this track took us to the road at Cropton.  The snow and sleet continued unabated and we were very pleased to see the New Inn at Cropton was open for business.  The kind barmaid sat us in front of the fire and made us fresh coffee.  We enjoyed a very pleasant half hour.






Arched bridge over the River Seven

We disturb a deer

"There should be a pub here..."

"There is!"

After leaving the warmth of The New Inn we had quite a long stretch on road which enabled us to make good progress.  When we returned to woodland paths we slowed as the weather had made the already wet ground very boggy and some areas had to be detoured, taking side paths through the trees.  Horses and mountain bikes had churned up the paths further.

Doing this walk in spring meant we were constantly entertained by the antics of lambs, at one point seeing two sheltering in an old bath made us laugh.


Baaa-th time!



Muddy tracks

Coffee stop

"Sometimes I sits and thinks and sometimes I just sits"

Our path took us next to the village of Newton-on-Rawcliffe and shortly after we descended Newton Dale and soon reached Levisham Station.  Today's route had more ups and downs than yesterday and the descent to the station was steep and muddy causing me to do a graceful slide at one point.




Labrador weather vane

The weather meant cattle were still in barns

Mouse bench at Newton Dale

Steep descent to Levisham Station



Levisham Station



The sting in the tail of today's walk is that Levisham Station is about 1.5 miles from Levisham and it's a steep uphill climb all the way to the village.

Eventually we reached Levisham and our destination, The Horseshoe Inn, where we found a another glorious fire, too tempting to resist and we enjoyed a couple of beers before retiring to luxuriate in a hot shower.



A long climb to Levisham

Carole disturbs a creche of lambs

Arriving at The Horseshoe

Cheers!


The evening meal was excellent at the Horseshoe and we reflected on a good day's walk, feeling quite pleased with ourselves for arriving in good condition, especially as far as feet were concerned.

To Day 3


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