We drove to Helmsley from Stokesley on the B1257 and parked at the side of the road where it enters Helmsley. We then walked down through the market place and on to Rye Bridge where we veered left into Ryegate, then right into Sawmill Lane.
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| Today's walk from The Walker's Guide to the Hambleton Hills |
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| Walking into Helmsley |
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| Helmsley Castle in the distance |
Sawmill Lane took us past an industrial estate and then, following a sign for the Ebor Way, we walked into fields leaving the town behind.
We were soon walking alongside the River Rye and reaching the sewerage works the path becomes a very narrow space between the fence and the river.
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| Follow the Ebor Way (for now) |
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| We cross the bridge and walk alongside the river |
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| Clive crosses the stile next to the sewerage works |
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| A beautiful walk along the river bank |
The weather was perfect for walking and reaching an ox-bow in the river we watched sand martins swooping in and out of holes along the sandy bank.
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| Sand Martins flew in and out of these holes |
We left the river by turning under an old railway bridge that was once part of the York to Pickering railway, closed by Beeching in 1964. Our path crossed a couple of sheep fields and reached the Harome road which we joined.
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| Through this gate and under the bridge |
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| The sheep came running, probably hoping for feed |
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| Disappointed sheep |
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| We join the Harome road |
Just before a little bridge our path should leave the road and take a route across fields into Harome but today there was a sign saying the footpath was closed, pending footbridge repairs.
This meant keeping to the road until Harome but we didn't mind as it brought us into a part of the village that we don't normally see.
It was interesting to see the famous Star at Harome pub and opposite this we were astonished at the huge Buddha in someone's front garden.
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| House in Harome |
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| The Star at Harome |
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| A whale weather vane being used as a perch by a pigeon |
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| The Buddha looks out on to The Star |
This way in also brought us past St Saviour's church so we popped in for a look around. It is a Victorian church, constructed in 1861.
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| St Saviour's Church, Harome |
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| Looking toward the altar |
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| Altar window |
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| Looking towards the rear and the Millennial Cross |
Leaving the church it was but a short hop to the Pheasant Inn whose sign advertising morning coffee never fails to draw us in.
We sat on the terrace looking over the village duck pond and enjoyed coffee, fresh pastries and home made biscuits.
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| The Pheasant at Harome |
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| The pastries have already disappeared |
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| Our view |
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| The terrace at The Pheasant |
Leaving The Pheasant we walked through picturesque Harome, past the duckpond and some interesting cottages including Harome Mill and Aby Green Farm, soon reaching Hall Lane and passing the old railway cottages, now private houses.
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| Weather vane at The Pheasant |
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| Thatched cottages in Harome |
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| Old railway cottages |
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| Hall Lane |
We followed Hall Lane until we re-joined the River Rye and then crossed it by a footbridge a short distance from Hall Lane end. A little further and we joined Lack Lane which leads to East Newton Hall and Loschy Farm.
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| Hall Lane loses its tarmac |
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| We re-join the River Rye |
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| ... and cross at this footbridge |
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| Our path now follows the opposite bank |
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| We reach East Newton Hall |
We joined tarmac again outside East Newton Hall and were most impressed by the recent dry-stone walling, done to a high standard with little turrets and features of interest.
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| Dry stone walling outside East Newton Hall |
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| Clever features in the dry stone wall |
Following the lane from the hall we reached Loschy Farm and behind it Loschy Hill. TSB relates that long ago a dragon lived on Loschy Hill and terrorised the villagers. A local man called Peter Loschy had a special suit of armour made covered with sharp blades and went with his dog to confront the dragon. It wrapped itself around Peter and the blades sliced it so portions of the dragon fell to the ground. The pieces tried to reassemble the dragon so the trusty dog carried the segments away and buried them on the hill. Peter stooped to praise his dog which licked him on the face but as the dragon's blood was poisonous both he and the dog fell down dead. They were buried at Nunnington Church, the dog at Peter's feet.
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| Losky Farm, note different spelling to map |
We soon came to a footpath sign pointing over the field of rape. This was our path but it was unwalked and we didn't fancy ploughing through waist high rape, so continued along the lane to the B1257. We had to walk along the grass verge of the busy road for about a mile, passing by Leyshorpe Hall and Birch Hall Farm. This was not a very pleasant experience.
Eventually, opposite a sign pointing to Oswaldkirk village, we turned right into a farm lane and started to descend in the general direction of Sproxton; we were now back on the Ebor Way.
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| We decide not to follow the footpath |
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| Sign on the B1257 |
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| Clive restores it to its proper place |
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| Turn right into farm lane here... |
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| ... back on the Ebor Way |
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| A gentle descent towards Sproxton |
The sun was out, the sky was blue and the view was fine so we decided to stop for our 'official' scone and coffee break.
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| We find a nice spot for coffee |
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| Our view from our coffee stop |
Pressing on we followed field paths to the outskirts of Sproxton whose high street led back to the B1257 and the small church of St Chads.
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| Sproxton Village Hall - Nissen hut dated 1948 |
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| Cottage in Sproxton |
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| Weather vane in Sproxton |
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| Tiny St Chads Church |
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| TSB says rood screen carvings are from Germany.... |
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| ... and the stained glass window contains fifteenth century glass from Helmsley |
We returned through Sproxton to re-join the Ebor Way path at the signpost just past Sproxton Hall Farm.
From here to the river our path through fields appeared unwalked and it was necessary to navigate by searching ahead for yellow way-signs.
Eventually we reached the River Rye and a large footbridge, but instead of crossing we turned left along the opposite bank to our outward path.
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| We followed the river towards Helmsley |
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| A sylvan scene.. |
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| Masses of wild garlic, just coming into bloom |
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| Negotiating a tricky bit by the river |
Soon we left the trees of the river bank and emerged into a sheep field which we crossed to reach the old stone bridge.
We walked into Helmsley but noticed that Helmsley Brewery was open to visitors from 1pm to 9pm and decided to pop inside.
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| Crossing the sheep field to Helmsley town |
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| Across the bridge... |
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| ... to the Brewery |
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| 'Striding the Riding' was impossible to resist |
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| A place for quiet contemplation |
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| We retire outdoors to discuss today's walk |
