Coxwold and Beacon Banks from Kilburn

10.5 miles               Warm and fair

The Forresters Arms at Kilburn is closed for renovation following a fire in May and as we were unsure whether we would be able to use its car park we decided to start today's walk from Coxwold, where parking is easily found.

Today's walk from The Walker's Guide to the Hambleton Hills

The Fauconberg Arms

We drove into Coxwold via Thirsk Bank and parked at the roadside near to the Fauconberg Arms, which we were pleased to see was open 11am to 11pm.

Coxwold High Street

Walking up Coxwold High Street

After booting up we walked up the High Street to a crossroads where we turned right to commence a steady climb out of the village.  After half a mile we entered a field at a wooden sign and continued to climb, following field paths until we reached a stile and High Leys Farm.

The drive of this bungalow was the old railway line

Turn off the road at the sign

Across fields and then a steady climb

Looking back we see the White Horse, with us for much of today's walk

Climbing Beacon Bank to reach High Lees Farm

Looking back to Coxwold and the White Horse

At the farm, where ducks and hens were running freely, we turned right onto the farm track for 100 yards or so, before returning to fields at a sign, and following the ridge of Beacon Bank Wood.

High Lees Farm

Geese, ducks and hens run freely

.. and Guinea Fowl

A young family in the cornfield

Turn right off the farm track at the sign

We walked along the ridge but what should be a fine view is blocked by saplings and gorse bushes.  At the end of the ridge we came to Suncliffe Beacon Farm where we paused to admire their alpacas.

Saying goodbye to the alpacas we walked past Lists House and then dropped to the pretty village of Husthwaite where we decided to look around the church, something we haven't previously had time to do.  

Lists House

View down to Husthwaite from Lists House

Husthwaite High Street

St Nicholas' Church is very nice and in excellent condition, both inside and out.  As the door was unlocked we had a browse round the old church before sitting on the bench outside to enjoy our coffee and scones.  The nicely carved front main porch dates from 1140 and the tower from the 1400s.  The unusual box pews date from 1686.

 

St Nicholas Church, Husthwaite

Porch dating from 1140

Altar window

Modern side window reflects light

Box pews and the rear of the church

Robert Thomson's mouse is found throughout the church

Coffee in the sun

'Praises on tombstones are but vainly spent, a mans good name is his best monument, Rest precious dust till Heaven your worth reveal, Your judge will publish what your friends conceal'

'The dead are like the stars by day, though hid from mortal eye, They're not extinct but hold their way, in glory through the sky'

After Husthwaite we passed through the remains of an old railway embankment and entered Ings Lane, which we followed north for a mile.  We walked by a tractor garage and shop, with some big machines.  We rejoined the road at Carlton Husthwaite next to a blacksmith's forge which appeared to be closed.

Very nice too!

Entering Ings Lane at Carlton Husthwaite

Still on Ings Lane

Agricultural vehicle dealer in Ings Lane

Some big beasts for sale

We walked through the village, noting its pretty houses, one of which was very striking, a timber framed thatched house, and pausing to look at a steel sculpture called 'The Flower', which is no doubt the work of the village blacksmith.

The village blacksmith's forge

All closed up today, we would like to have discussed weather vanes!

Stuffed fox in front room at Carlton Husthwaite

Ancient timber beamed house

The Flower

We left Carlton Husthwaite turning right into Croft Lane then left to join Common Lane.  

Easy to miss this footpath sign in the bushes

The farmer has left a good path through the cereal

The horse dominates the skyline as we approach Kilburn

Sunflowers and wild flowers in 'set aside' field

As we walked down Common Lane we saw a family of deer through the hedge, in a nearby field.  They soon spotted us but we had a couple of minutes to watch them.

We get a super view

A walk through fields and muddy lanes eventually brought us back to Kilburn where we passed the Forresters Arms to reach St Mary's Church, where we took a quick look around.

Tricky footpath as we approach Kilburn

Kilburn ahead!

In Kilburn

Cottage gardens in Kilburn

The Forretsers Arms, still closed

St Mary's Church, Kilburn

The church is another building where Thomson's mouse is to be found on pews, rails and boards.  Thomson was a resident of Kilburn and his first commission was from the parish priest at Coxwold, a crucifix, and he is said to have taken up the mouse symbol when he considered the expression 'poor as a Church mouse.'

Window at St Mary's

Norman grave slab

Spot the mouse

Cryptic verse at St Mary's

Leaving the church we soon reached a road that took us uphill to High Kilburn where attractive houses surround a village green.  Tom Scott Burns tells us that there once was a duck pond in the village green but all that remains of that is the old village pump.

High Kilburn

We passed an old barn with a curlew weather vane and Fox Folly Farm, always tidy, before entering fields once more to follow our path to Coxwold.

Curlew on barn

Field paths

Fox Folly Farm

I send Clive ahead to negotiate safe passage..

Leaving the cow field by footbridge....

... which cows can't cross

Footpath through cereal

Entering the village we passed by Lawrence Sterne's cottage and Coxwold's fine church where Sterne was once the parish priest. Boots were quickly removed and we found ourselves reflecting on our walk, sitting in the afternoon sun outside the Fauconberg Arms.

Lawrence Sterne's cottage

St Michael's Church, Coxwold

Cheers!