Caydale and Noddle End from Murton

7.5 miles                           Fine and warm

We returned to Murton Grange (from which we walked to Rievaulx last week).  Once again we took the Hawnby turn-off from the B1257 Stokesley to Helmsley road and parked on the verge near to the white buildings of the Grange.

Today's walk from The Walker's Guide to the Hambleton Hills

Murton Grange

Walking alongside Morton Grange

We set off along the tarmac road next to Murton Grange and branched right through an open gate onto a rough track. Pheasants ran ahead of us keeping to the hedgerow and eventually our track dropped down into the pretty valley of Caydale.

Pheasants run along the hedge

Caydale ahead

As we descended into Caydale our route turned left off the broad track into thick undergrowth where it was barely discernible. Ahead of us we saw a strange scarecrow-like figure leaning against a gate but as our path went off to the left we didn't get a close look at it. It looked a bit creepy and we wondered what purpose it might serve?

There's a path here somewhere!

Scary figure

Tom Scott Burns tells us that the last wild cat in England was shot at this spot in 1840, by a Charles Harrison.  It is still a wild place and an uninhabited valley and as on previous visits, we saw deer disappear into the trees, startled by our noisy arrival.

Our faint track took us down to the bottom of the valley where we crossed a bridge over the beck and started the long climb up the other side, passing the remains of the 'Captain's Seat', as shown on the map above.  

Who the captain was and why he sat at this remote spot we have been unable to discover but our Google search revealed that in the 1740s a Joseph Ford of Kirbymoorside perfected a system of tapping into springs and channeling water in open 'rills' some 12 inches wide.  Water was diverted by this method through Caydale from King Spring to the village of Old Byland. The rills are still to be seen and their water looks clean and pure.

 

Caydale

The remains of the Captain's Seat

Reaching the top of the valley we paused to look back over Caydale and could see our outward route and Murton Grange in the distance.

Caydale

Looking over Caydale to Murton Grange in the distance

Leaving the climb and Caydale we crossed several fields to reach the tarmac of High Leir Lane where we turned right and walked through shimmering heat to pass tidy Weathercote Farm with its novel 'cat and rat' weather vane.

Weather vane at Weathercote Farm

After a mile on the road we reached the junction with Cleveland Road which we crossed to follow field paths for another half mile until we reached the high ridge of Boltby Scar.  

Field path to Boltby Scar

Reaching the Cleveland Way at Boltby Scar

We now followed the Cleveland Way along Boltby Scar past the old quarry workings and the ruins of High Barn, briefly crossing the tarmac of Sneck Yate Bank and on through the trees of Boltby plantation.

Boltby sits below

Ridge walk, High Barn in the distance

High Barn

Sheep near High Barn

Entering Boltby plantation

We notice a sign for High Paradise Farm

We emerged from the trees above Low Paradise Farm and continued to climb until we reached High Paradise and its cafe.  Although awkward to reach for motor traffic High Paradise is a little oasis for cyclists and walkers and we found the cream scones and coffee to be superb.

High Paradise Farm

We settle down to refreshments

Just what the hiker ordered!

Much refreshed, we continued past the farm to reach Sneck Gate and the old Drovers' Road, which we crossed into Daletown Common.  We paused here to watch the antics of a young sheep, which we suspected to be a male, chasing the other sheep in circles.  Occasionally one would stop and turn and there would be a clash of horns as they butted each other.  We watched for about five minutes but the young sheep showed no sign of tiring, he must have been driving the others mad.  In the end we turned back to our path and crossed Daletown Common to reach the barn at Noddle End.

Sneck Yate

Young sheep on left was making a nuisance of him(?)self

Lapwing

The barn at Noddle End

When we reached the barn we paused to enjoy a nice view down into Gowerdale, before following the path down to reach the ruined farm of Gowerdale House.

Down to Gowerdale

Gowerdale House

"Look around and get out!"

Gowerdale House

This area was the site of what was once a medieval village, long abandoned.  TSB speculates whether the Black Death visited this secluded valley.  Gowerdale House has no road or track leading to it and we walked in front of the house, which has the bleak message "Look around and get out!" painted on the front door, and then followed a rising path through the yard of Dale Town Farm.

Looking back to Gowerdale House and our descent through the trees

Cattle watch us pass but can't be bothered to come closer

Dale Town Farm, Hawnby Hill behind

We walked straight uphill from the farm, turning left along Peak Scar Top and soon reaching Murton Bank Road and our car.  A short drive took us to the Inn at Hawnby where we enjoyed a pint in the garden and reflected on an enjoyable day's walk.

Hawnby Hill and Easterside Hill

"To Tom Scott Burns!"