York Association of the National Trust
YANT Walks 2023
Thursday 28th December 2023
York Circular Walk
Approximately 4 miles.
This approximately 4 miles long traditional Twixtmas walk around York starts at Tower Gardens, continues along the east bank of the river and after crossing Ouse Bridge reaches the Railway Station. The walk then continues via quiet streets and lanes to the Racecourse before crossing Bishopthorpe Road and returning to the start via the Millenium Bridge and the east bank of the river.
The walking surfaces are generally good and there are no stiles but there are several flights of concrete steps in the early part of the walk. Although the walk has been planned to minimise the risk from traffic, walkers must please be particularly careful when walking beside or crossing public roads.
We will meet in Tower Gardens outside Dyl’s café at the east end of Skeldergate Bridge for a 10:30am start. Parking (fee payable) and public toilets are available in St George’s Field car park nearby.
Walkers are invited to the walk leaders' house nearby for light seasonal refreshments at the end of the walk.
Walk Leaders: Andy and Keren Burnard
Thursday 23rd November 2023
Aldwark Circular Walk
Approximately 4 miles.
This is a circular, mostly level walk of approximately 4 miles starting at Aldwark, passing through the village, and continuing along Rice Lane before returning past fishponds and along Straight Lane to Aldwark.
The walking surfaces are generally good and there are no stiles.
We will meet at the information board outside Aldwark church and start the walk at 10:30am and it should be noted that there are no public toilets at the start of the walk. Refreshments or lunch may be available at the Aldwark Arms pub in Aldwark after the walk.
Walk Leader: Dorothy Pope
Wednesday 25th October 2023
Hovingham Circular Walk
Approximately 5.5 miles.
This is a walk of about 5.5 miles starting from Hovingham and climbing out of the village along the Ebor Way towards Hollin Hill. Then turning west towards Airyholme Farm the walk crosses a road heading to Hovingham Lodge and after reaching Horse Coppice enters Hovingham Park by a permissive path and then returns to Hovingham.
The route is mainly along field paths and through woodlands on public rights of way and there may be cattle in the fields.
In Hovingham there is a small car park (fee payable) and plenty of on street car parking but no public toilets.
The walk will start from outside the Worsley Arms Hotel at 10.30am. Explorer Map 300 may be of use to walkers and refreshments or lunch may be available locally after the walk.
Walk Leader: Philip Mander
Friday 29th September 2023
The Seven Bridges Valley Walk from Fountains Abbey
Approximately 3.8 miles.
This walk has been arranged in conjunction with the YANT visit to Fountains Abbey described on the Day Trips Page, and all people on the visit will be welcome to take part in the walk if they wish.
Ingleby’s coach will leave at 9am from Memorial Gardens. The programme for the visit will start with Mr Newman’s tour to be followed by lunch, which may be obtained at one of the Abbey cafes or be taken as a packed lunch by members.
The walk will start at the Visitors Centre at 14:00, returning there at around 16:30 to re-join the coach and return to York.
The walk is 3.8 miles or 6.08 km long and there are no stiles. The going underfoot is mainly good but boots and poles are recommended as there are two ascents. The walk will take about two and a half hours at a reasonable pace and will finish at the Visitors Centre.
The Walk Leader is Philip Mander
Tuesday 15th August 2023
Coxwold Circular Walk
Approximately 5 miles.
Meet at the Coxwold Village Hall car park (GR 536773). At the village crossroads, follow the sign to Byland and Helmsley. The car park is immediately on the right after the GRB garage. Payment for parking is by an honesty box and toilets are available here. The walk is 5 miles in length and will start from the car park at 10:30am.
Starting out on the Easingwold Road, we will pass Newburgh Priory and lake. A gradual climb takes us to Beacon Banks and then down into the village of Husthwaite where benches are available for a snack stop. Return to Coxwold is via the disused Thirsk to Malton railway line.
Coxwold is an attractive village of honey coloured stone houses, many of historic origin, and after the walk there are several attractions – Shandy Hall gardens and St. Michael’s church, and Byland Abbey is two miles away. The Fauconberg Arms is sited in Coxwold for lunch or refreshments.
The Walk Leader is Ian Geldard
Friday 21st July 2023
A circular half day walk on Strensall Common
Approximately 5 miles.
This is an easy 5 mile walk with no stiles but may be muddy in places if recent rain has fallen.
The walk starts at 10.30 from Strensall Common car park which can be reached from Strensall Road, leaving Queen Elizabeth Barracks on the right, keeping straight on over a mini roundabout, passing St Wilfred’s Church on the right and then turning right at the crossroads with Moor Lane. There are no toilets in the car park.
After the walk refreshments or lunch may be obtained at the Ship Inn in Strensall.
The Walk Leader is Sally Mayo
Tuesday 27th June 2023
A circular walk from Sutton Bank
Approximately 5 miles.
We will meet at the National Park Visitors’ Centre (SE518833) off the A170 at the top of Sutton Bank, east of Thirsk, where there is parking (£4.80 by bank card). There are toilets and a café. Our meeting point will be the bus shelter near the toilets and the walk will start at 10:30.
The walk is mainly flat and is approximately 5 miles long. There are no stiles. We will head north on the Cleveland Way passing Garbutt Wood and Whitestone Cliff. Dialstone Farm is reached via field bridleways and a minor road. Heading south via Hambleton House we cross the gallops. From the abandoned Hambleton Inn we cross the A170 with care and return to the Visitors Centre via a dyke and the Cleveland Way.
The walk has excellent views on a clear day.
The Walk Leader is Philip Mander
Thursday 18th May 2023
A stroll around Huggate, highest village on the Yorkshire Wolds
Approximately 4 miles. Fairly easy walking.
This 4-mile, 2-hour walk starts at the new car park on Driffield Road, Huggate, about 100 metres past the Wolds Inn, at 10.30am. Car-sharing is recommended in case of limited parking space. Please avoid parking on the narrow village streets.
Walking through the village we follow the gentle uphill metalled farm track towards Northfield House then along a field path to Horse Dale, a typical Wolds dry valley. We will visit the Huggate Poetry Bench then turn back along the length of the dale, across open access land and back to Huggate.
The path is gently undulating and there are no stiles. The paths may be muddy so stout walking boots are advised.
There are no toilet facilities in Huggate. Lunch may be available after the walk at the Wolds Inn or village café.
The Walk leaders are Alison and Nigel Rutter
Wednesday 19th April 2023
A circular half day walk from Wetherby
Approximately 5.3 miles
This walk starts at 10.30am from the Bandstand next to the town car park, by the river, under the bridge at Wetherby. It is currently free to park. There are public toilets signposted a very short walk into town but no facilities during the walk itself.
Connexions bus number 412 leaves York Railway station at 9.30am and currently arrives at 10.15am (check timetable before you leave).
This is a mostly level walk of 5.3 miles from Wetherby to Linton and Collingham. We'll follow a pleasant trail through Wetherby Ings public parkland, by the riverbank for most of the walk, with a small detour along the road at Linton. The route follows open meadow and some charming, wooded areas.
Please note that there are 2 stiles and 3 sets of steps.
The Walk leader is Jenny Nicholson
Tuesday 28th March 2023
Stillington Walk
Approximately 4 miles
An easy, four-mile circular walk along good field paths with some road walking. One incline with good views and one stile; this walk could be muddy if wet.
Park along the roadside in the village and meet outside the church for a 10.30am start.
Refreshments should be available in the village after the walk.
The Walk Leader is Dorothy Pope
Tuesday 28th February 2023
Sowerby Walk
Approximately 5 miles
The walk is approximately 5 miles (8km) starting on the main street of Sowerby near Thirsk at 10.30am on Tuesday 28 February 2023.
There is plenty of free on street parking. We will meet outside the Crown and Anchor pub near Blakey Lane, opposite the Methodist Church, grid reference SE430813. The walk goes over Blakey Bridge, following Cod Beck across Sowerby Flatts to Old Thirsk. We continue to head north to South Kilvington where we leave Cod Beck, skirting Underwood Plantation. The walk turns south across fields to North Thirsk before returning to Sowerby.
There are toilet facilities in Thirsk. Refreshments after the walk can be taken in numerous places in the town. The walk may be muddy, and boots and walking poles are strongly recommended. There are a few well maintained stiles and kissing gates. The route is largely flat. The appropriate map is Explorer 302 Northallerton and Thirsk.
The walk can be reached by bus and train, but Thirsk railway station is some distance from Sowerby. In the event of Cod Beck being in flood another local route will be used from Sowerby upon higher ground.
The Walk Leader was Philip Mander