Easingwold to Castle Howard Cycle Ride
Route summary
This delightful circular route (approximately 35 miles) begins in the market town of Easingwold and heads along quiet country lanes and villages, through the Howardian Hills, emerging in the Castle Howard Estate. The route is fairly flat with a few gentle uphills. There is always the option of visiting Castle Howard itself or just calling in at the cafe, farm shop and chocolate shop. Entrance to the courtyard area is free although there is an entry charge to visit the house and gardens. The return route is along a flatter and easy route back through the villages of Thorton-le-Clay and Stillington.
Route notes
From Easingwold market square head up past the Angel pub and follow the road up then around to the right. Continue on this road to Crayke (1.5 miles). At the junction in Crayke, turn right and downhill to meet the main road out of Easingwold. Turn left and follow this road to Stillington, an attractive village with traditional stone houses and three pubs. From Stillington continue along the main street, then turn right at junction opposite the garage and fish and chip shop, signposted to Sheriff Hutton. Follow the road onto Marton-le-Moor then Sherriff Hutton. In Sherriff Hutton, turn left at the mini-roundabout and head uphill following signs to Terrington. Continue along this road then climb (or walk!) up the very steep Terrington bank. At the top of the hill, once you've paused to catch your breath, turn right and head downhill to the village of Terrington. The Bay Horse Inn provides a welcome opportunity for lunch or refreshments. There is also a local shop.
Continue down through the village of Terrington and shortly afterwards, in a dip, take a left signposted to Castle Howard. Follow this quiet road past woodland until you emerge at the crossroads near South Lake. Turn right here. You may like to stop on the verge to admire the lovely view of Castle Howard, an ideal photo opportunity. Head along this road up towards Castle Howard. At this point there is the option to visit Castle Howard or stop off at the courtyard shops and café.
To continue with the cycle ride, follow the road in the same direction passing through a couple of stone archways. At the crossroads after the second arch, continue straight ahead up and then along a wooded stretch. Pass the obelisk and follow the road as it winds downhill (café at the Inntravel offices in the converted barn buildings on your left on the bend) and keep cycling down until you reach crossroads. At these crossroads turn right to Thorton-le-Clay.
From Thornton-Le-Clay, head straight through the village on the High Street and turn left onto Moor Lane. After about a mile you will come to a crossroads with some woodland on the left. Take the right turn on Lilling Low Lane which is a very quiet and flat farm road that comes out south of West Lilling on the Strensall to Sheriff Hutton road. Turning left onto this road and you will soon see Sheriff Hutton Bridge Cricket Club on your right. Take a right after the cricket ground to Stillington (5 miles). Follow this road which meets up with the B1363 into Stillington. Turn left at the junction in Stillington and head back along this road and continue for about 3 miles into Easingwold.
This entry was posted on Friday August 1st, 2008 at 2:11 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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