A-Walking: Whitby Wonders

Our three expeditions this week (Sunday, 31st October) each took place in the south-eastern area of the North York Moors. The A-Walk set off from Sneaton Corner, the B-Walk started at Hawsker and the C-Walk commenced at Whitby. All three walks finished at Whitby.

After leaving Sneaton Corner {NZ 916 036}, the intent of the A-Walk was to visit Shooting House Rigg, Pond Farm, Marsh Lane, Robin Hood's Bay, Ness Point, Saltwick and Whitby Abbey before arriving at our final destination in Whitby {NZ 893 111}.

We left our drop-off point at about 10.30 am. There were eight people in the group: JB, PB, KF, JH, MH, CL, LM and JT. MH led the walk.


We set off from the road junction at Sneaton Corner (see the above picture) on a south-westerly bearing along Robin Hood's Bay Road (a moorland track) to reach Shooting House Rigg. At {NZ 899 017} we turned onto an easterly bearing and made our way along Biller Howe Dale Slack in order to reach Ling Hill Plantation {NZ 912 018}. From here we followed a path through Biller Howe Dale to reach the access track to Billira Cottage {NZ 919 009}. Turning left, we went in a north-easterly direction to Pond Farm and then crossed the A171 road at {NZ 923 013}.

Maintaining our north-easterly bearing, we trekked along a minor road to reach a footpath at {NZ 928 017}. Turning left onto this path, we followed it in a north-north-westerly direction to reach St Ives Farm {NZ 923 027} near Park Hill. Leaving the farm area in an easterly direction, we followed a good track to a small wood near {NZ 928 027} where we stopped for a short lunch break.

From our lunch-stop location, we continued on our easterly bearing and made our way towards Swallow Head Farm {NZ 937 027} and, a little further east, Fyling Old Hall Farm {NZ 943 028}. Just after the second farm, we joined the dismantled railway track at {NZ 944 028} and followed this in a northerly direction to reach Middlewood Lane {NZ 946 042}. At this point we turned right, leaving the old railway line in order to join Marsh Lane. This took us in an east-north-easterly direction to join the coastal route of the Cleveland Way (CW) at {NZ 952 045}. Turning onto a northerly bearing, we made our way to the small fishing village of Robin Hood's Bay {NZ 951 051}


From the sea front, we had a good climb up to the old disused railway track at {NZ 950 054}. Turning right, we continued along the CW. As we went north, we had some spectacular views of the coastal scenary - including one of a wrecked ship. We stopped for a short tea break near {NZ 954 070} - sitting on the cliffs overlooking the sea.


Continuing along the CW, we passed by the lighthouse and Whitby Fog Signal at {NZ 926 102}. As we made our way in a north-north-westerly direction, we had some good view of the interesting rocks around Saltwick Bay.

We passed through the caravan park near Stoupe Cross Farm to arrive at Whitby Abbey and St Mary's Church on the headland near {NZ 901 112}. From here, we descended down into Whitby using the stone steps leading from the church.

As it happened, being Halloween, there was a large gathering of Goths in the town. So, as we walked through Whitby, we were confronted with hundreds of people that were dressed in some extremely spectacular Goth costumes. Seeing these was a really wonderful experience and provided an interesting way to to bring our walk to an end.

From the river area, we climbed up to the car park on the West Cliff where our coach was waiting to to take us back to Teesside.

Many thanks to MH for organising such an interesting trek for us today. Use the buttons below to see where we went, how we did and some of the photos.

    

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