Day 3
Levisham to Egton Bridge
16.4 miles
We walked out of Levisham along Braygate Lane which turns into a rough track after about half a mile. After a gate we were walking across open moor and our path led us to the folly known as Skelton Tower. This tower has a terrific situation overlooking Newton Dale Gorge and in his 'Inn Way' book Mark Reid explains that it was built in 1850 by the Rector of Levisham. This eccentric vicar built the folly as a place he could escape to, to clear his mind and, it is rumoured, enjoy a quiet drink.
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| Leaving the Horseshoe Inn |
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| On Levisham Moor |
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| Skelton Tower |
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| "Let down your hair.." |
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| The view from Skelton Tower |
We followed the moor top along Newton Dale, sometimes in head high bracken, but always rewarded with amazing views, until we descended to Havern Beck. Here we paused to drink our coffee and as we did so a steam train passed by.
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| Newton Dale |
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| Descending to Havern Beck |
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| Pifelhead Wood |
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| A train passing as we have coffee |
We crossed the railway line and began to climb out of the valley to Needle Point and a long walk through woods at Killing Nab Scar.
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| Viewpoint at Killing Nab Scar |
We then spent some time following forest tracks until we eventually reached a small gate next to a ruined building and the open moor ahead.
Next was a long moor crossing to Simon Howe and then The Two Howes, and the track to Goathland seemed a long walk in from the moor but it was well worth the effort when we reached the Tea Room.
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| We think this is a Meadow Pipit |
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| We know this is a curlew! |
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| Goathland puts a spring in the step.. |
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| A rest in the tea garden |
We left the tea room and crossed the road at Goathland Station after which a short walk took us to the very pretty hamlets of Darnholm in the valley of Eller Beck, where we passed the tiny pub called The Birch Hall Inn at Beck Hole.
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| Goathland Station |
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| Descending to Darnholm |
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| Stepping stones not really required today |
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| Toy sheep and real sheep at Darnholm |
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| The Birch Hall Inn at Beck Hole |
Easier paths followed Beck Hole and we walked along the bed of a disused railway which Mark Reid explains is the site of Stephenson's original railway.
The final descent through woodland is tricky to follow and Egton Bridge and the Horseshoe Inn were a welcome sight. There was an outdoor bar in the pub garden where drinks could be purchased and we sat in the sun with a refreshing pint.
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| The beer is Red Dust Bitter from Consett Ale Works - very good! |
