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Whorl Hill |
We enjoyed browsing the old epitaphs but eventually it was time to move on and we returned to
the lane and followed it to the junction with Whorlton Lane, where we climbed a stile into fields and headed straight towards Whorl Hill, which dominates the skyline. The field paths were not as muddy as we had expected, perhaps today's strong cold wind had dried them somewhat.
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Looking back at Holy Cross Church and Whorlton Castle |
A steady climb took us into the trees of Whorl Hill (old Norse 'hvirfill' - 'high hill with a rounded top') and we continued to climb until our track levelled out and we circumnavigated the hill, just inside the tree line.
TSB informs us that in 1810 one of Britain's largest hoards of Roman silver coins (weighing 2 stones) was dug up on Whorl Hill by a local farmer whilst ploughing his field. We followed the path with a fine view down to Swainby through the trees, until we dropped away from the main path to exit the woods at Bank Lane via the garden of a bungalow.
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Walking through the trees of Whorl Hill |
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In Bank Lane |
We now walked up Bank Lane towards Live Moor and Round Hill. Reaching the trees of Faceby Plantation a short sharp climb brought us to a path below Round Hill, and here, sheltered from the wind, we sat to enjoy our coffee and scones using the old stone wall as seat and table.
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Climbing through Faceby Plantation |
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We reach the moor gate |
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A level walk along spoil heaps below Round Hill |
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Time for coffee and scones |
Our break over, we climbed once more to reach the moor top and the stone flags of the Cleveland Way. We turned right and walked into a cold head wind, following the Cleveland Way westwards.
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A final push to the top |
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Following the Cleveland Way |
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A site of scientific interest? |
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All these years we thought it was just a cairn! A new sign opposite the cairn |
We crossed Round Hill and dropped steeply down to Huthwaite Green where I discovered the wind had put paid to my plan to buy some free range eggs by demolishing the little stall at Hollin Hill Farm.
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Crossing Round Hill |
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Whorl Hill below |
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The old railway wagon has been hit by the gales |
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Eggs for sale at Hollin Hill Farm last year |
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Storm Caroline appears to have thwarted my purchase of fresh eggs |
We crossed a ford and climbed across a field, still following the Cleveland Way, before turning into woods alongside Scugdale Beck. Our path led us through Clain Wood alongside the beck for a mile and looking over to the east we could at all times see Whorl Hill and our outward path.
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Crossing Scugdale Beck |
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Climbing towards Clain Wood |
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Hawk's dining table in Clain Wood |
Leaving the wood and joining the Sheepwash to the A172 road we descended towards Swainby. We entered the village walking alongside the beck and crossed the bridge to look at the new Church of Holy Cross. It was unlocked and we had a look around but there are no gravestones here as burials still take place at the old church at Whorlton.
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Shepherd weather vane at Swainby |
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Footballer weather vane at Swainby |
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Descending towards Swainby |
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Swainby High Street |
This new church was built in 1877 and is the work of Temple Moor, who also built the church at Fangdale Beck that we visited a few weeks ago. This is a much grander affair however.
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Looking across the beck to Holy Cross Church, Swainby |
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Looking towards the altar |
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Some fine windows |
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The altar window |
Leaving the church our walk took us past the Black Horse and we decided to end our walk at the pub with a couple of pints of their appropriately named 'Bitter and Twisted' ale.
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