The Inn Way to North Yorks

 

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.

Our battered bible

Day 1          Helmsley to Hutton le Hole        14.7 miles

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!

Carlton Lodge, our B and B in Helmsley

Our first Inn Way sign, at Helmsley Bridge

The path was slippery alongside the river

Walking beside the Fish Farm

Arriving at Harome and the Star Inn...

.... but we press on to The Pheasant for the first cream scones of the trek

House in Harome

We discover the paths are pretty but little walked ...

... and wet!

Walking through Wombleton

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.

Lots of stone stiles in this area

St Gregory's Minster

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.

In Brockhill Hagg Woods

Kirkdale

Fox weather vane at Sleightholme Dale Lodge

Sleightholme Dale Lodge

We should be turning off, is that a sign...?

Inn Way to Fadmoor

After a hundred stiles the novelty starts to wear off.. 

Carole walks through Gillamoor

Ancient sun dial in Gillamoor

St Aidens Church Gillamoor

We reach the 'surprise view' at Gillamoor

Surprise View

Crossing Douthwaite Dale....

.. to reach Hutton-le-Hole

We'll be dining there soon!

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.

To Day 2

 

Day 2

Hutton-le-Hole to Levisham        

 

13 miles

The 'street facing' part of The Barns is a cafe and that is where we had our breakfast before setting off along the track to the side of the Folk Museum, following the signs for Lastingham.  Our path led us through woods and fields until we joined the road just before walking down into Lastingham.

Leaving Hutton-le-Hole

On High Cross Plain approaching Lastingham

Too tired to lift his head

The Blacksmiths at Lastingham

St Mary's Church, closed until 11am

We walked out of Lastingham, pausing to admire an ancient well dedicated to St Cedd.  On leaving the village we returned to field paths before crossing a stone footbridge over Ings Beck.

St Cedd's Well

Bridge over Ings Beck

Overgrown paths

We reached Scarth Wood where there was a steep drop to the side of our track after which we returned to fields and more woodland until we came to an overgrown track known as Bull Ing Lane.

After half a mile this track took us to the road at Cropton where we were pleased to see The New Inn but dismayed to see it didn't open until 12 noon, the time being 11.30am.  The door was unlocked so I went inside where staff were getting ready for their day. A kind lady said she was happy to make us some coffee and we sat at outside tables to enjoy it.

The New Inn has its own brewery

... but it's coffee for us today

Some road walking followed after Cropton as we followed High Lane towards Cawthorne where there are the remains of a Roman Camp. We turned left near Cawthorne to follow more tarmac to High Cawthorne eventually turning right for a long walk through trees towards Newton Banks.

The Inn Way signs are getting a bit decrepit

The unwalked paths added extra time and effort

A birch tree wood near Newton banks

We decided to pause at the village of Newton-on-Rawcliffe for coffee from our flasks.  Shortly after we descended Newton Dale, soon reaching Levisham Station. 

More coffee please

Newton Dale

Memorial seat overlooking Newton Dale

Mouse motif on bench

Levisham Station

This adder must have just been run over as the blood was fresh

The sting in the tail of today's walk is that Levisham Station is about 1.5 miles from Levisham and it's a steep uphill climb all the way to the village.

Eventually we reached Levisham and our destination, The Horseshoe Inn, where we sat in the sun and enjoyed a well earned pint.

The long climb from Levisham Station

We arrive at The Horseshoe Inn

To Day 3