Kirkham Priory to Welburn
23 May 2005
23 May 2005
This walk follows part of the route of Walk 1 in John E Eckersley's book 'Exploring Lake Pickering', though we diverted from it at Welburn and returned via a shorter route. We walked this route on 23 May 2005.
For more information, and maps, see the foot of the page.
We started our walk by the bridge near Kirkham Priory, and followed the Centenary Way sign. On this photo the ruins of the priory can be seen in the distance on the other side of the river.
Note: John E Eckersley's book guides the walker a little further up the road over the level crossing, before then bearing right alongside the railway line. This is probably the preferred route if walking across a railway line, as we're about to to, makes you nervous.
I was shocked when I realised that the stile here appeared to be guiding us onto the railway line. These days, when government agencies and everyone else seems to be trying to protect us from any possible risk ever (I've even seen a bouquet of flowers marked 'Do not eat'), it seemed highly unlikely that anyone could be allowed, never mind encouraged, to walk across a railway line.
While I was thinking all this, my companion, as can be seen from the photo, was already approaching the track. I insisted he wait there until I caught up with him so I didn't have to go across on my own.
Phew. Here we are at the other side of the railway line. This line is the York-Scarborough line, and is a really pleasant route by train, including views of Kirkham Priory.
We then follow the path through some fields alongside the railway line, climbing away from it until we meet a wood. But I'd like to pause for a moment to admire this gate. There were a lot of these, and what fine pieces of craftmanship they are. I've no idea who makes them, but I think their handiwork should be admired.
There
were some beautiful patches of wildflowers. I'm not sure if it's just that
I'm older and so notice these things more, but it seems that there are many
wildflowers around again now that were maybe less common a couple of decades
ago.
I haven't enhanced the colours in this photo, they really were this bright.
I love these wooden bridges that cross little streams - as long as there's no trolls underneath.
Distance & time taken: Not sure of the distance, as we deviated from the original route, but it took around 3 hours, so a rough guess is that it's about 5 miles.
OS map for this section of the walk
We used OS Explorer map 300 (Howardian Hills & Malton) and the book 'Exploring Lake Pickering' by John E Eckersley.
The excellent GENUKI website has a detailed description of Kirkham and the Priory, written in 1892.
As we live in a time where problems with BSE (Blame Somebody Else) are so prevalent, a disclaimer seems essential. This page was created by a townie who only ventures into the countryside rarely. It's intended to give an impression of this walk, give some useful information, and to cheer people up. It's not intended as a definitive guide. As this is a walk of a few miles in length, away from sandwich shops, if you're an unknowledgeable townie like me - please check details, weather conditions etc, with proper knowledgeable authorities, before setting out. Please don't complain or sue me if you fall off anything, twist your ankle, get stranded on a beach by an incoming tide, get run over by a train/lorry/cyclist, get a nasty insect bite or eat a poisonous fungi.