Easingwold to Helmsley Cycle Ride
Route Summary
This cycle route is approximately 40 miles long and follows mostly quiet country lanes from the market town of Easingwold to the pretty town of Helmsley on the North York Moors. Though much of the route is fairly easy and flat, there are a number of uphill (and downhill) sections, which make this ride suitable for regular cyclists who are used to undulating routes, or those keen to try a slightly more challenging cycle. Cyclists will encounter very little traffic on the country roads with only a few short sections on busier roads. There are options to shorten the ride and return along alternative routes.
Route Notes
(Ordance Survey Maps - Explorer OL26, 300 + 299)
From Easingwold market square head along Crabmill Lane next to the Galtres Centre and then turn left and cycle up the hill past the cricket club on your right. When you reach the crossroads at the top, turn right signposted to Crayke. Follow this road for about 1.5 miles to reach the quaint village of Crayke with its castle overlooking the village.
Turn left at the junction in Crayke and head uphill past the award-winning Durham Ox pub. Continue along this road following signs to Brandsby. In the centre of Brandsby, just after the bend in the road, take a left signposted to Yearsley. This is an uphill section which brings you out at a crossroads in Yearsley. Turn right at these crossroads, signposted to Hovingham. Follow this road for about 4 miles past , a pleasant ride, past a woodland until Hovingham Hall comes into view in front of you and you arrive in the picturesque village of Hovingham with its traditional Yorkshire stone houses. There are two options for refreshments here - the Malt Shovel pub or the Hovingham tea rooms by the beck.
From Hovingham follow the main road (B1257) towards Oswaldkirk and Helmsley. After about a mile take a right turn (on a bend) up Caulkleys Bank signposted to Nunnington. This is a steep, windy uphill section but does not continue for too long - there is always the option of pushing your bike up here! At the top of Caulkley's bank, on a clear day there are fantastic views of the North York Moors and Howardian Hills.
Descend into the village of Nunnington. The Royal Oak in Nunnington serves excellent food if you wish to stop for lunch or the Nunnington Studios has a lovely courtyard cafe. The National Trust Nunnington Hall is worth a visit and serves delicious home-made cakes in its cafe.
To continue the cycle ride, head across the stone bridge in front of Nunnington Hall and follow the road for about a mile until you reach a crossroads where you turn left to Harome. This is a delightful and easy section bringing you out in the beautiful, picture postcard village of Harome with its charming thatched cottages. Harome has been put on the map for its renowned inn, The Star Inn, which is proud of its Michelin-starred restaurant. There is a lovely beer garden to the rear. Continue past the Star and follow this country lane for about 1.5 miles until you reach the A170. Turn left onto the main road into Helmsley market square, where you might like to stop off at one of the cafes, pubs or the deli for a well-deserved ice-cream. This is about the halfway point of this cycle ride.
[To shorten the cycle ride, it is possible to head back on the A170 (busy - take care) turning off onto the B1257 at Sproxton heading to Oswaldkirk and then back to Easingwold through Ampleforth, Yearlsey and Crayke.]
To continue the ride, head out of Helmsley on the B1257 for about 2 miles (all uphill!) until a turn-off on the left for Rievaulx Abbey (National Trust). Descend into the village and enjoy the breathtaking view of Rievaulx Abbey nestled into the valley. Ride along the valley, past the abbey, turning right over Rievaulx bridge following the lane along the valley then through a wooded section to Scawton. The last part up into the village of Scawton is quite steep. There is a popular pub in the village, the Hare Inn, which has a lovely garden out the front and apparently serves good food.
From the Hare Inn at Scawton, continue uphill. The route soon levels out and is again a gentle ride towards Sutton Bank. On reaching the A170 turn right and cycle along this busy section (take care) for just half a mile until you see a pub on the right and a turn-off to the left. Take this left turn with a woodland to your right heading to the gliding club on Sutton Bank. Continue along this road and down a very steep and windy lane (Low Town Bank Road on the map) to the White Horse at Kilburn then beyond to the village of Kilburn. The Forrester's Arms is a popular pub here or continue to the left towards Coxwold just a couple of miles down the road. The Fauconberg Arms Inn in Coxwold is delightful, serves excellent food and is therefore another option for a stop-off. Coxwold was recently voted the most sought after village to live in in North Yorkshire and looking at the lovely houses and its location on the edge of the North York Moores it's not hard to understand why.
From Coxwold, either follow the route 65 back to Easingwold along the waymarked route 65 signs (straight ahead at the crossroads - shorter but a little uphill and along farm roads) or for a slightly longer but more gentle cycle, turn right at the crossroads and continue along the road to the village of Husthwaite.
On reaching Husthwaite, head right down into the village then turn left at the church and uphill to join another road. Keep left here and follow the lane to Easingwold (4 miles). After about 2 miles, turn left at a sign for Crayke ignoring the sign for Easingwold (unless you wish to come out by the school). Turn right again at the next junction (where the route 65 emerges) then slightly uphill to another T-junction. Turn right here to Easingwold. Just over the brow of the hill you descend into Easingwold. At the crossroads in Easingwold, turn right and follow the road back round to the market square.
For final refreshments there are several pubs around Easingwold market square or a couple of cafes. Cafe Tea Hee is deservedly popular and serves food using quality ingredients.
Photo Gallery
This entry was posted on Tuesday May 6th, 2008 at 10:18 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.
Leave a Reply
Where Can I Go Exploring the UK and Abroad