Helmsley to Harome and Sproxton
10 miles Wet and warm
We wanted to do a longer walk even though the weather forecast promised rain. In the end we stayed dry until about 1.30pm - but then we got very wet!
We drove to Helmsley on the B1257 and parked at the side of the road as we entered the town.
Today's walk from The Walker's Guide to the Hambleton Hills |
Helmsley Castle |
Weather Vane on Helmsley Town Hall |
We walked through the market place, turned left onto Ryegate and right into Sawmill Lane, where we saw signs for the Ebor Way. We passed by several industrial units including a saw mill before entering a field containing sheep. We crossed the field still following the Ebor Way signs.
Unusual plant pots on Sawmill Lane |
It's the time of year for cute lamb photos |
An 'Extra High' lamb |
We soon reached the River Rye where our path followed the river downstream. There was wild garlic flowering all around and the aroma of garlic was overpowering.
We passed to the side of the sewerage works and soon reached an old railway bridge which we passed under into more sheep fields.
Walking beside the River Rye |
Take the stile next to the sewerage works |
Phew! Garlic |
Through the gate and under the bridge |
We walked through a mixture of breeds of sheep and lambs, our favourites being the teddy bear-like Southdown Sheep and unfortunately saw a dead ewe near to the field exit to the road. We suspected the farmer must have dragged the sheep to this spot awaiting the knackers' van.
This sheep had managed to get a piece of barbed wire hooked to its coat - no chance of getting near enough to remove it |
Southdown sheep |
"Yes, we're very cute aren't we?" |
Looks like trouble! |
A sad sight |
We walked along the road towards Harome, leaving the road into fields just before a bridge. We walked towards the village and reached the wooden bridge, famous in our family for cracking my wife's ribs when she slipped on the greasy timber, only to find the bridge had been blocked off. We needed to cross here and climbed over the wooden barrier, perhaps it has been erected to stop stock wandering? The sign outside The Pheasant said they were open for morning coffee so we decided to ask them about the bridge but they were unaware of it. Still, we were in the pub now so we might as well sample their coffee and scones. It was warm enough to sit outside on the terrace to enjoy them.
We need to be over there! |
The Pheasant - morning coffee |
1960s Aston Martin at The Pheasant |
Elevenses |
Cream scones and coffee to prepare us for the next few miles |
We left the Pheasant and walked out of Harome past some quaint thatched cottages and Harome Mill, where we saw peacocks in the yard. Clive's impressive 'peacock screech' got a male bird screeching back, circling with tail up and tail feathers shaking. We amused ourselves thus for a few minutes before setting off once more to reach Hall Lane.
Cottages in Harome |
Harome Mill |
Peacock responds to Clive's call... |
.. or maybe it's for the peahen on the right! |
Hall Lane changes from tarmac to grass and led us down to Harome Siding where we passed by the old railway line and houses.
Old railway track |
We now had a nice walk along a green way until we reached the River Rye once more, and crossing at a footbridge followed the river through trees. We were pleased to see what we believed to be a short eared owl in the branches, staring intently at us. I got a quick photo and then as we tried to move nearer it was off, swooping through the trees!
Lovely green lane |
We reach the river once more |
"The Bridge over the River Rye" |
What's that?? |
Owl |
East Newton Hall |
Nice new dry stone walling at East Newton Hall |
Losky Farm with Loschy Hill behind |
Passing by Losky Farm we ignored the sign pointing our way across a field of barley, a short cut which would bring us out onto the B1257. It was now raining heavily and we didn't fancy trudging through the wet barley. Instead we stuck to the roads and reaching the B1257 we walked the verge for nearly a mile along this busy road, passing Leysthorpe Hall and the smart newer build of Birch Farm. Eventually we came to the turn off left for Oswaldkirk where we turned right opposite, to enter a lane to West Newton Grange.
Entering the lane to West Newton Grange |
We're back on the Ebor Way! |
Through fields towards Sproxton |
Sproxton Hall Farm |
The deep doorway of Sproxton Village Hall |
Very wet, but still beautiful |
She looks wetter than us! |
River Rye |
We ignored this bridge over the Rye and stayed on this bank |
We followed the river back towards Helmsley at one point coming to a large ox-bow where concrete blocks had been strategically placed to catch flood flotsam before it reached power lines.
You can't have too many photos of lambs, can you? |
Flood defences |
Same spot in February 2016 |
As we neared Helmsley the path moves nearer to the river bank and becomes quite tricky in places. Once again we entered groves of wild garlic with masses of white flowers and heady aroma.
"Can you smell garlic?" |
The last mile along the river bank |
Negotiating a tricky bit |
Eventually we passed though a gate and into a sheep field which we crossed to reach the road at the bridge in Helmsley. A walk through the town brought us back to our car.
Helmsley in the distance |
Red Horse Chestnut Trees as we approach the end of the walk |
We reach the B1257... |
... and cross the bridge into Helmsley |
Helmsley |
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