York Association of the National Trust

Walks 2015
YANT Walks 2015

Walks Organiser:  walks@yant.org.uk

Wednesday 18th March, 2015
A short walk around Dunnington

A group of eleven well-wrapped-up walkers gathered at the Cross Keys pub in Dunnington for a four mile walk through the countryside around the village.


Leaving Dunnington, we set off to ascend the curiously-named Noddle Hill. On a clear day, we were told by our walk leader, Irene Watson, you get good views over York and the East Riding from here...


We continued on tracks and field paths past Mount Pleasant Farm to Holtby and the nature reserve at the village pond which boasts a floating duck house worthy of a Member of Parliament.


After a short coffee break, our walk took us past the Old Rectory at Holtby and back to Dunnington for lunch.
Thursday 19th February, 2015
A short walk around Crayke

On a rather gloomy day about ten walkers gathered near Crayke castle for a circular walk around the village, lead by Elizabeth Hjort. There has been a settlement at Crayke since Anglo-Saxon times and the village is associated with St. Cuthbert, who founded a monastery here. The castle is now partly in ruins and stands at the top of a hill, 368 feet above sea level, from which, on a good day there are magnificent views across the Vale of York.


The walk took us through the churchyard and on towards Myra Bank, then to the Dutch House which is an arts centre and cafe - regretably closed on the day of the walk. We then followed part of the Crayke Estate Walk, a Millenium project which has mosaics created by the Crayke Rural Arts Group,  back to Crayke and a pub lunch -about four miles in total.
Wednesday 21st January, 2015
A walk through the Solar System, Bishopthorpe

On Wednesday, 21st January, eleven hardy walkers set off from Bishopthorpe, battling our way against freezing winds and sleet, to walk along part of the Sustrans Transpennine Cycle Track. The track follows the route of the old East Coast Main Line which was rerouted in 1983 to avoid the workings of the new Selby coalfield. The actual cycle path was opened in 1987 by Beryl Burton.


Scientists from York University, in conjunction with Archbishop of York Junior School have installed a scale model of the Solar System ten miles long, stretching from Riccal to Bishopthorpe. The model was designed on a scale of 1:576 million, so at normal walking pace our group were travelling at three times the speed of light!


Passing Mars, Earth, Venus and Mercury, we arrived at the Sun – the only one we saw that day.


We crossed the Knavesmire to Middlethorpe Hall, built in 1689, which is now a hotel owned by the National Trust. With heads down against the elements we trudged on past Bishopthorpe Palace, home of the Archbishops of York since 1241, towards the ruins of the old St.Andrew’s Church, abandond in 1899 due to frequent flooding of the churchyard.


At this point we decided to call it a day and beat a hasty retreat to the Marcia for lunch!
Share by: