Slingsby Castle and Fryton from Hovingham
10.5 miles Fine and dry
Tom Scott Burns says in The Walker's Guide to the Hambleton Hills that this route of woodland paths, open lanes, and the villages of Hovingham and Slingsby, with its ruined castle, will calm the most distraught mind. We would agree except for a confusing forestry trail encountered in the last couple of miles which might make the calm mind distraught once more. Remembering this we decided to drop this section and take field tracks back to Hovingham from Fryton.
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| Today's walk from The Walker's Guide to the Hambleton Hills |
We drove to Hovingham on the B1257 from Helmsley and parked at the roadside near to Hovingham Hall. TSB says Hovingham Hall was given to Roger de Mowbray by William the Conqueror and came to the Worsley family in 1563, with the present Hall dating from 1745. Next to the Hall is the Church of All Saints and as its door was open despite scaffolding being up we decided to look inside before starting our walk.
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| All Saints, Hovingham |
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| Viking Cross |
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| Clive admires the Viking Cross |
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| Carving on the cross |
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| Modern windows are very eye catching |
One of the most striking features of the interior of the church is a 10th century Viking Cross, mounted high in a frame and acting as the church's altar cross. Apparently it was once brightly painted.
Time was pressing as we had over 10 miles ahead of us so we set off briskly, walking past the entrance to Hovingham Hall and following the road around to the rear of the hall, where we entered fields at a footpath sign.
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| The front of Hovingham Hall |
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| Walking through Hovingham |
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| We've encountered this sign, or similar here since Covid lockdown |
Bearing the above notice in mind we kept close to the fence, as it would be dangerous to walk on the road. We now had a fine view of the rear of the Hall and passed by an attractive bridge and waterfall feature which must have originally been constructed to be viewed from the Hall.
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| The rear of Hovingham Hall |
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| The bridge feature comes into view |
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| Colours of Autumn are starting to appear |
Shortly after passing the bridge we crossed the road and turned left into Mill Wood, the path now following the course of a stream before rejoining the road near to Hovingham Lodge.
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| A tricky bit |
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| Cross the road |
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| .. and follow the sign |
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| .. through Mill Wood |
Before reaching Hovingham Lodge we passed through a large field with cattle and calves. This is something we try and avoid but they appeared docile and there was no real alternative route. A bull was lying near to calves but showed little interest.
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| Hmm, cattle |
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| Isn't that a bull?! |
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| He's not interested in hikers |
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| "We are!" |
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| Hovingham Lodge |
We now crossed fields before rejoining the road and turning in at a sign for 'Airyholme Farm'. There used to be a faded hand painted sign here informing us that this was the home of the Flitworth Flock but it is no longer to be seen.
This farm track also serves Moor House Farm which we passed by before reaching Airyholme, where we saw some unusual breeds of sheep close to the farm, so perhaps the Flitworth Flock is still extant.
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| "That looks ideal for a rest!" |
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| This kestrel was oblivious of our presence whilst we enjoyed our coffee |
Setting off once again we crossed several more fields before reaching the entrance to Slingsby Bank Wood. A steep climb took us to the ridge and a long gentle descent to Slingsby. We walked through the pretty village to the Methodist church and a brightly coloured Maypole, where TSB reports that Plough Monday sword dancers once cavorted and the Slingsby Temperance Society held a great demonstration in 1851.
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| Slingsby Bank Wood |
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| Descending towards Slingsby |
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| Hmm. Too heavy for our bags |
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| Slingsby Methodist Church |
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| Maypole in front of school |
We walked through the village to reach the ruins of Slingsby Castle, which is in a dangerous state and only visible from the neighbouring road. It was built by Sir Ralph Hastings in 1343 and enlarged by his grandson Lord William Hastings, who was beheaded for treason in 1483.
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| Slingsby Castle |
Near the castle is The Church of All Saints, which was open so we popped inside. This building is mainly 15th century and the most interesting feature is a Victorian bier, which is in pristine condition.
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| All Saints, Slingsby |
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| The Slingsby Bier |
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| The Pews have these nice medieval carvings |
We walked away from the church and castle to turn right at a sign and cross a field path at Castle Farm leading to the hamlet of Fryton. Here we strayed from TSB's route and turned right to walk through the village. Continuing along the lane we came to a house called The Gatehouse where we turned left. We were now on a field track for a mile or so, leading us straight to Hovingham.
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| Walking from Slingsby to Fryton |
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| Fryton |
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| Moles End, a curious name |
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| Turn left at the Gatehouse |
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| ... and follow field track to Hovingham |
We emerged from the fields into Hovingham High Street, conveniently close to The Worsley Arms, where we sat outside for our customary debrief. Our diversion had reduced the mileage to 9.5 miles.
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| Clive responds to my polite request for a double whisky |
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| Cheers! |
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