Spofforth
Park
Starting
point and OS Grid reference:
Spofforth
– Lay-by next to Spofforth Castle. (SE 362512).
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Ordnance
Survey Map
OS Explorer Map 289 Leeds,
Harrogate, Wetherby and Pontefract.
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List
of OS Maps
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used to fund the website, so keeping it free to use.
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Distance: 8.1 miles
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Traffic light rating:
(For explanation see My
Walks page)
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For advice on .gpx files see
My
Walks page
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Click
the PDF logo above to give a printable version of this walk without the
photos.
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To
view route as a dynamic Ordnance Survey map click here.
Introduction:
This very easy circular 8 mile walk around Spofforth Park has
the advantage of providing a couple of pubs for lunch half way round, in the
upmarket villages of Kirkby Overblow, so it ideal for conditions where you
might not want to picnic. In fact, there are few places where a picnic would
be particularly convenient.
There is also a pub at Sicklinghall if you
cannot wait!
“Park” in this sense is little more than
an expanse of grassland which no doubt provided the hunting sport for the
famous and powerful de Percy family who in the 13/14th centuries
owned Spofforth castle from where the walk starts.
Spofforth Castle, now a ruin, sits in the
centre of Spofforth village and there is a small lay-by alongside where you
can park. It does quickly fill though.
Spofforth is on the A661 between Harrogate
and Wetherby.
There can be some very muddy sections after
wet weather.
Start:
At the lay-by with your back to the castle (SE 362512), turn right and walk along the
main road (A661) for just under half a mile. Turn right at Park Mount (SE
366507). This is a cul-de-sac and the footpath starts between the 4th
and 5th house from the end, on the right. There is a fingerpost
pointing to it on the opposite side of the road on a telegraph pole.
Walk along the track (which services garages)
and turn left behind the houses. Head down the field to the right of a
couple of shed/stable buildings.
The route crosses a narrow field and arrives
at a stile into a roughly triangular field. Go straight across to the
opposite corner.
In the next field, head for a spot about half
way along the opposite side of the field where you cross a stile (SE
369492). Continue ahead, passing to the left of a small copse of trees.
Follow this broad track until you reach a ‘T’ junction of tracks and
turn right (SE 369492).
The track becomes metalled and ends at the
junction with Main Street, Sicklinghall. Turn right.
Walk right through the village passing the
two village ponds (one at each end of the vllage) and along the road. Ignore
the first bridleway off to the right. The road bends slightly left and just
after this, turn right on another bridleway (SE 352481). The fingerpost
indicating it is on the opposite side of the road and the turn is just
before Paddock House lane.
You are on a broad track and after about 300
yards, turn left indicated by a blue public bridleway sign (SE 350483)
On reaching a junction of bridleways
indicated by a large post with several blue arrows on it, go right.
After going through a gate, the wide track
narrows to a footpath between hedges for a while before widening again and
reaching a road (SE 329488). Turn right to Kirkby Overblow.
Follow the road as it bends right in the
village passing the Star and Garter and Shoulder of Mutton pubs and then
left. Opposite All Saints, Primary School, cross a stone stile on the right
and go through a kissing gate (SE 325494).
Follow this to a brick farmhouse and cross
another stile and turn left. After passing the buildings, bear right to the
corner of the field where there is a large metal gate and a yellow arrow on
the gatepost.
The path follows a stream. Look out for an
arrow indicating where the footpath goes left.
Follow the track as it curves along the left
hand side of each of the fishing lakes and turn right on the broad track (SE
332498). When another track joins from the left, keep straight ahead and
similarly, further on, when a track joins from the right.
Keep more or less straight ahead and through
a large gate with a fingerpost for “Spofforth”.
The path goes along by the right hand side of
the trees and at the end of the field, goes left to cross the stream, then
turn right to follow it.
The path passes under the old railway viaduct
and arrives at Spofforth Castle. Turn right to get back to the lay-by.
If you need to buy any
hiking equipment/clothing before your trip see the Hiking
Store
All information on this
site is given in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of any
damage, loss or injury which might result from acting on it.
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