The Inn Way to North Yorks is a 92 mile circular walk over 6 days beginning and ending at Helmsley. Originally it passed 31 traditional English pubs, hence the name, but some have since closed their doors. The guide book is written by Mark Reid and is currently out of print but available second hand on the internet.
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| Our battered bible |
Day 1 Helmsley to Hutton le Hole 14.7 miles
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| Screen shot of today's route outlined in yellow |
We didn't get the early start we hoped for because of an allocated breakfast time that allowed for social distancing in the breakfast room, and it was 10am before we set off clutching our notes from Mark Reid's guide book.
Heavy rain the day before made us decide on gaiters today but our short 'stop tous' were no match for largely unwalked paths and verdant undergrowth and we were wet to the waist by Wombleton!
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| Carlton Lodge, our B and B in Helmsley |
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| Our first Inn Way sign, at Helmsley Bridge |
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| The path was slippery alongside the river |
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| Walking beside the Fish Farm |
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| Arriving at Harome and the Star Inn... |
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| .... but we press on to The Pheasant for the first cream scones of the trek |
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| House in Harome |
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| We discover the paths are pretty but little walked ... |
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| ... and wet! |
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| Walking through Wombleton |
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| Some paths are a struggle to get through |
Aftre Wombleton we walked through numerous fields to arrive at Welburn and the road. Shortly after we came to St Gregory's Minster where a bench provided a rest spot while we had a coffee from our flasks.
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| Lots of stone stiles in this area |
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| St Gregory's Minster |
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| The world's longest complete Saxon inscription. It reads:"Orm son of Gamel bought St Gregory's Church when it was completely broken and fallen down, and he had it made anew from the ground to Christ and to St Gregory, in the days of King Edward and in the days of Earl Tostig. Hawarth made me and Brand was the priest. This is the day's sun-marker at every hour" |
Leaving the minster we passed by Hodge Beck where the bridge was washed away in 2005 and walked through Brockhill Hagg Woods.
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| In Brockhill Hagg Woods |
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| Kirkdale |
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| Fox weather vane at Sleightholme Dale Lodge |
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| Sleightholme Dale Lodge |
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| We should be turning off, is that a sign...? |
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| Inn Way to Fadmoor |
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| After a hundred stiles the novelty starts to wear off.. |
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| Carole walks through Gillamoor |
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| Ancient sun dial in Gillamoor |
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| St Aidens Church Gillamoor |
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| We reach the 'surprise view' at Gillamoor |
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| Surprise View |
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| Crossing Douthwaite Dale.... |
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| .. to reach Hutton-le-Hole |
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| We'll be dining there soon! |
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| Our accommodation for the night |
Our landlady tells us that as far as she knows we are only the second people this year to be walking the Inn Way. Five years ago there were 'loads!' she says. It would be a pity if this great walk falls into disuse.
