Arden Great Moor Circular

 

10.5 miles         Cool and grey

 

We decided to do a longer walk from The Walker's Guide to the Hambleton Hills which Tom Scott Burns says can be started either at Arden Hall or Square Corner on the Osmotherley to Hawnby road.

We decided on the latter and set off to climb Black Hambleton in a sudden shower of rain which stopped as suddenly as it began.

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

Setting off, Black Hambleton ahead

This sheep was not in mid-jump but remained balanced on top of the wall as we continued uphill

Looking down towards Kepwick

Once on Black Hambleton we walked along the drovers' road known as Hambleton Street, which we followed for about 2.5 miles from Square Corner until we reached the ruins of an old drovers' inn which was known as Limekiln House.

We have often wondered about the exact location of Limekiln House but that was answered today when we were surprised to see a new, gravestone-like, marker.  Close to the marker we saw that Bert's memorial had been uprooted so Clive replanted it.  We've often wondered whether Bert was man or beast, I don't suppose we'll ever know.

 

Bert's memorial uprooted

New marker stone

Clive restores Bert's memorial

We turned left off Hambleton Street at Limekiln House onto a grassy track, which we followed until we reached a gate where we had a surprise view down into the hidden valley of Thorodale.  A slippery mud path led us steeply down into the valley.

Starting the descent into Thorodale

Thorodale Valley

At the end of the valley I had a 'camera moment' when I discovered that my camera wouldn't take photos.  After several minutes of fiddling and cursing I discovered that I had knocked the setting onto 'effects' and after restoring it looked up to see Clive patiently leaning on a gate.

We followed our track through woods with brief glimpses of Thorodale Lake below.  As the track approached Arden Hall we found ourselves walking through masses of snowdrops which TSB suggests were probably planted by the nuns that occupied this site in the Benedictine nunnery of St Andrew, founded in 1148.  All that's left of the nunnery is an old chimney, now embodied into Arden Hall.

TSB says that the name Arden was probably derived from arn, an eagle, and doen, a deep valley - the valley of the eagle.

As we neared the hall we saw more and more little yellow flowers among the snowdrops.  These are winter aconites which are somewhat poisonous and also known as Wolfsbane.  TSB says these were also planted by the nuns.

Wolfsbane

In a secluded spot overlooking a stream we found a bench which we knew was dedicated to three hikers who were killed driving home from a hike in this area.  It is situated in a lovely sheltered spot and was ideal for our coffee stop.

Hikers R.I.P.

We finished our scones and coffee and walked up to Arden Hall, which would  make a good setting for  period drama, before retracing our steps and turning right into fields leading to Mount Pleasant Farm.

Approaching Arden Hall

The front of Arden Hall

Arden Hall

Fields leading to Mount Pleasant Farm

The sun comes out as we look down on Arden Hall, Dale Town Common behind

Coomb Hill from Mount Pleasant Farm

Mount Pleasant Farm

Cheeky sheep at Mount Pleasant

Walking up from the farm we passed the pretty cottage known as Harker Gates then into the woods of North Moor.  We could hear the sound of logging and soon came to the source of the noise.  We watched as a single machine fitted with hydraulic tools cut down trees, stripped the branches and sliced them into 12 foot lengths, the demolition of each tree taking only about 2 minutes.  Another tractor gathered up the lengths and another man loaded them onto  lorry.  Three men were clearing the forest at an amazing rate.

Harker Gates cottage

It took just a few seconds to cut the tree and trim the branches

Can you spot the Jack Russell terrier?

We walk through debris

Our path took us past two ruined farms, Brewster Hill and Cow Wath and then across fields.  We were amused by a metal fox target, lying low on the hillside and showing signs of many bullets.

Brewster Hill farm ruin

Helpful way-mark as the path has disappeared at this point

Fox target

Cow Wath ruins

Passing the ruins of Far House our path ran parallel with the River Rye a hundred yards below .  We would shortly pass the source of the Rye at Dale Head.

Progress was slow on muddy paths as we passed by Low Locker Farm and over a large bridge at Dale Head.

Bridge at Dale Head

Just past Dale Head we saw our last ruined farm before walking across the heather of Low Locker Moor to join the Osmotherley to Hawnby road where we turned left to walk back down to the car.

Far House ruins

Locker Low Moor

'Cheerio'

We didn't reach the car until mid afternoon but fortunately the Queen Catherine at Osmotheley is open all day and we were soon discussing today's walk in front of a roaring fire.