Easingwold to Ampleforth Cycle Ride
Route Summary (moderate)
This cycle route of approximately 20 miles is a circular ride starting in the market town of Easingwold and heading through the Howardian Hills to the village of Ampleforth, well-known for Ampleforth College, a Benedictine Monastery. The route is along quiet country lanes and you are likely to encounter very little traffic along the way. It is fairly hilly, with a few uphill sections and also some great downhill stretches, however much of the route is quite flat and it is not too demanding. There are some great views of the surrounding countryside with spectacular views of Ampleforth College and Byland Abbey. You also pass through some lovely villages such as Yearsley and Coxwold, voted the most desirable village to live in. There are several pubs and tearooms along the route so plenty of opportunities to stop off for refreshments.
Route Notes
From Easingwold market place, turn along Crabmill Lane, next to the Galtres Centre and then turn left uphill, past the cricket ground and up to the top of the road. At the crossroads, go straight ahead and continue along this road ignoring any turn-offs until you reach a crossroads. At the crossroads go straight across signposted to Yearsley. Follow this pleasant country lane, which is flat for a while until it reaches Yearsley Bank, a gradual but substantial hill. Continue up the road and at the top you will be rewarded with far-reaching views across the Howardian Hills and the Vale of York. Continue on this road, which remains fairly flat all the way to the attractive village of Yearsley. Ride through the village to the end where you meet a crossroads.
At the crossroads in Yearsley, turn left signposted to Ampleforth. Continue along this flat road, lined with woodland either side and as the road starts to head downhill, you will see Ampleforth College come into view on your right. Follow this road as it winds downhill, into the valley and then eventually heads up into the village of Ampleforth. Just before you approach the crossroads in Ampleforth centre, you will see the White Swan pub car park on your right, The White Swan, Ampleforth, has a terrace out the back and on a sunny day is a good place to stop for a drink and soak up the sunshine.
To continue, at the crossroads in Ampleforth, turn left towards Coxwold, passing through the village and past another pub, the White Horse ( a great place to stop for a bite to eat), then out of the village up a short, steep hill.
Follow this road as it passes through Wass, then onto the impressive Byland Abbey (Abbey Inn pub on your right). Continue past the Abbey and follow the road until you reach the lovely village of Coxwold. The village has an excellent pub, the Faulkenberg Arms, and a tearoom, selling ice-creams and drinks.
From Coxwold there are two options to return to Easingwold: the route 65 Sustrans cycle route (waymarked) or an alternative route, which is about a mile longer but sticks to quiet country lanes and is perhaps a slightly easier route.
To return along the alternative route, at the crossroads in Coxwold, head straight over following the road signposted to Husthwaite. This road winds around with far-reaching views to your right of Sutton Bank and the White Horse at Kilburn. When you reach Husthwaite, turn right into the village (ignoring the sign to Easingwold pointing uphill) then once down in the village turn left near the church, signposted to Easingwold. Go up the hill then at the top turn head left and follow this road back for 3 miles to Easingwold. This return route is slightly downhill with a view of Thornton Hill to your left and an easy ride back to Easingwold.
This entry was posted on Saturday July 26th, 2008 at 11:02 PM and is filed under Places to Cycle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response.
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