Yorkshire Walks

Setting off from the road side parking area along the public footpath by The Stripe

Footpath by The Stripe with a deep drainage ditch on our left

Path passing the corner of the wood on our left

After about 700m along this path we came to a strip of woodland across our path at right angles to the ditch and the field edge. We continued along the path past this woodland next to the ditch for another 250m to the end of the woodland on our left. From the corner of the woodland we continued on the public footpath along the field edge for another 280m to the tarmac access road leading to Moxby Hall Farm.

This morning was the start of an overcast day with drizzly showers. My friend Jim and I drove in separate cars to a little dog walkers' parking are off the B1363 at map ref. SE 583 671, about 650m south of the junction by the church in Stillington. From there we set off along a public footpath heading east from our parking spot with arable fields to our right and a deep drainage ditch on our left. Across the ditch there was a strip of woodland known as The Stripe.

The path past a strip of woodland at right angles to our path

Following the path between the fields

Turning left onto the access road from Moxby Hall Farm

Following the access road from Moxby Hall farm

Skeugh Lane heading for Mill Bridge

Turning right over Mill Bridge

There was some traffic on this road that goes from Stillington to Sheriff Hutton. After about 670m from Mill Bridge there was a lane off to the left where the road bent to our right.

At the Moxby Hall Farm access road we turned left to walk along the access road towards Mill Bridge. We continued along the access road, now called Skeugh Lane, until we reached Mill Bridge over the River Foss. From Mill Bridge we walked up the hill towards Marton-in-the-Forest.

Skeugh Lane heading for Mill Bridge

About to turn right over Mill Bridge

Following the road up the hill towards Marton-in-the-Forest

Turning left off the road onto Harryfield Lane

Walking along Harryfield Lane

Farm access road turning right, Harryfield Lane bearing left

The lane became completely grown over

From this point the lane was not well maintained. We followed the lane downhill for about 400m and at the bottom of the slope the lane became a muddy track heading straight on towards Marton Abbey and a turning to our right providing access to another farm.

We turned left off the road here to walk along the lane called Harryfield Lane. There should have been a nice view across the field to Stillington from this lane but it was shrouded in misty drizzle on this gloomy day. The lane provided access to South Farm and after 500m it turned right towards the farm.

Seats by Harryfield Lane with a misty view to Stillington

Continuing along Harryfield Lane

Cranesbill or wild geranium by the lane

Our left turn off the lane to a footpath across the fields

White Bridge over the R Foss with deep step down at the end

Footbridge over a tributary of the River Foss

After almost 300m we came to another footbridge over a tributary of the River Foss and continued on the clear mown footpath across the field to the road called Jack Lane (B1363). This is the York to Helmsley road between Stillington and Brandsby.

At this junction we turned left off the muddy track onto a public footpath over a footbridge called White Bridge. This little footbridge is in fact over the tiny River Foss coming from Marton Abbey. Once over the bridge we followed a clear public footpath across the fields.

Path across the field from White Bridge

Footpath across the field to Jack Lane (B1363)

About to cross Jack Lane (B1363) to the footpath opposite

Turning off Jack Lane to the footpath opposite

Dropping down across the track to the fenced footpath

Meadow Sweet by the path

From the edge of this track the path dropped down into a fenced path as it continued between the fields to wards Stillington. We walked along this fenced path for about 400m to the houses on North Back Lane in Stillington.

We crossed the road and just a few metres to our right the continuation of the footpath passed through the hedge opposite at the corner of the field. We followed the path along the field edge and crossed a track along the far edge of the field.

Footpath across the fields from Jack Lane

Following the fenced path to Stillington

Nearing the houses on North Back Lane, Stillington

Path between the houses to North Back Lane in Stillington

Turning right onto North Back Lane

Turning left to the path between the houses & the churchyard

There we turned left off the road to follow a public footpath between the houses and the churchyard out to the main street in Stillington. We sat on a seat next to the churchyard for a few moments for a drink.

The path continued between the houses to the road where we turned right and walked along North Back Lane for almost 100m.

Walking along North Back Lane

Path between the houses & the churchyard

Seats by the churchyard overlooking the Main Street in Stillington

Path from the seat to the Main Street

St Nicholas Church on the Main Street

Following the B1363 south from Stillington

At the road junction we turned left and followed the main road south for about 650m back to our parking spots off the main road. The whole route had been just a little over 6km. It was quite a pleasant walk in spite of the gloomy weather.

From the seat we crossed the road and turned right to walk along the road opposite the church. After about 100m we came to the road junction where the main road (B1363) turned left heading south towards York and the minor road straight ahead continued towards Easingwold.

Nearing our left turn off The Main Street at the junction

Following the B1363 south from Stillington

Following the B1363 south from Stillington

Returning to our parking spots off the B1363 at the end of our walk