Route: Thixendale to Wintringham (Yorkshire Wolds Way stage 5)
Area: North Yorkshire
Date of walk: 26th August 2016
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 13.0 miles
Ascent: 1,400 feet
Weather: Sun and blue skies
Today was the 5th stage of my walk along the Yorkshire Wolds Way, a long distance path from Hessle on the bank of the Humber to the cliffs above Filey. I’m not walking on consecutive days but instead have chosen nibble away at the 79 mile route as it suits me, and the time it takes me to reach the finishing line is of no consequence
As this is a linear walk, two cars were needed and Mrs Andrewswalks kindly followed me to Wintringham, where I parked near the church, and we then drove to Thixendale for the start of the walk
It was a glorious day as I walked out of the village and joined the Wolds Way to climb up to Cow Wold. Big skies and clear air were perfect for a walk like this, and showed the surrounding countryside at its best. After about 3 miles there’s a choice of routes, with an option to visit the site of the medieval village of Wharram Percy without adding any mileage, so I took advantage of that and was glad to have done so
The rest of the walk was through typical Wolds countryside – gently rolling hills, chalk valleys and huge views from the tops. The Wolds Way is superbly waymarked every step of the way and it would be hard to get lost. It’s also possible to make quick progress, and I hoovered up the miles thanks to the straight paths and gentle ascents. It took me just over 4 hours to reach Wintringham and I enjoyed every minute
Follow the links to see: Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3 Stage 4 Stage 6 Stage 7
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
St Mary’s Church Thixendale at the start of the walk
Passing by Thixendale Stores as I walk out of the village towards the chalk track on Beamer Hill
The first of several climbs along the way
Looking back over Thixendale
Thixen Dale
The Rigg, separating Thixendale and Water Dale
The acorn symbol which is used on national trails such as this
Looking across to Vessey Pasture Dale
A little further along, I descend into the dale…
…only to have to climb up the other side
Looking back…
Walking towards North Plantation
Deep Dale ahead
Looking back to North Plantation
As I walk above Deep Dale, the runied church at Wharram Percy comes into view below
Deep Dale
I descend to the site of the medieval village of Wharram Percy
St Martin’s Church, the last standing medieval building in the village
The site of the vicarage, and Wharram Percy Cottages (not medieval but built for farmhands in the 19th century)
I follow a quiet road away from Wharram Percy
I then pass through Wharram le Street
The route crosses over the B1253
A Wall Brown butterfly
The path heads west for a short distance in the direction of North Grimston
I descend to the footbridge over Whitestone Beck
Looking back across the dale
Rabbit Slack
I pass through Wood House Farm
Climbing out of the dale
Walking beside Screed Plantation
Huge views towards Malton and beyond
A woodland section through South Wold Plantation
I emerge from the woods to this view over the Vale of Pickering
The end is in sight, with Wintringham on the far right of the picture
For the next mile or so I had an unusual walking companion…
…this dragonfly (a Blue Chaser I think) flew ahead of me, waited for me to catch up, and repeated the process for about 20 minutes
At the end of the lane I turn right for the final leg into Wintringham
Wintringham ahead
I cross the footbridge over Wintringham Beck…
Wintringham
The redundant church of St Peter, and the end of a wonderful walk
