Pub crawl

I was gazing at the Ordnance Survey map for the Ripon area and today's route just leapt off the page.

It showed a village at all three corners, and a blue beer glass symbol adorning each. It offered a tipple at each tip of an equilateral triangle, or an orange juice at every opportunity.

With nothing much in the way between the watering holes, certainly no hills to speak of, we looked set for the perfect pub crawl.

We started at Burton Leonard, more of this later, because we were galvanised into action, that is walking, by the dark cloud promise of rain. The cricketers were more optimistic, nevertheless, we aimed for Wormald Green and took a mile and a half cut through crops, memorably a block of brilliant yellow rape.

Unfortunately, the liquid symmetry of the walk is spoilt by the fact that Wormald is now dry, the pub shut down. Never mind, unimpaired, we angled directly for Bishop Monkton, could spot the church steeple. Ash trees were leafing up, the hedges were thick. On the way we met a man with a dog and were told that the shut-down pub had been run by an ex-Buckingham Palace chef, and we joked that maybe he had cooked for the corgies.

But to balance our disappointment at Wormald there were two pubs at Bishop Monkton. The dog-walker recommended both, so we checked out the Lamb And Flag and the Masons Arms, sat by lilac, laburnum and wisteria, and enjoyed the lovely stream-ribboned village.

Here we learned that something was going on, which explained why no one was out on a Sunday on the well-trodden paths and tracks. They were having a big organised do, three local walks and more. So, after a peek at the paintings and assemblages in the local art gallery we set off at a steady pace half-expecting to meet them.

The last leg was the prettiest, including the Countryside Stewardship fields vivid with dandelions and bean fields and curlews.

We talked about why on earth caravans need to be bright white, why white horses are called "greys", admired a live grey pony, and the chalk white nag at Sutton Bank 15 miles away.

On returning to Burton Leonard we explored the village. A task made easier by a Millennium display with the main buildings and the footpaths etched in stainless steel.

This epitomised the obviously very good walker/local/farmer relationships hereabouts.

A yellow-clad race marshal stood waiting by the old pump on the green, we nosed into the pubs, notably the Hare And Hounds which won a trade award as the "Best free house in Britain" last year and which serves up "Japanese-style torpedo prawns".

The participants of the "ride-run-walk" had still not shown up, so we departed and the rain came down.

Fact File

Distance: Four and a half miles.

Time: Two or three hours.

Location: Near Ripon and Harrogate.

Start: Burton Leonard.

Right of way: The complete route is along public rights of way.

Date walked: Sunday, May 11, 2003.

Road route: Just off the A61, half way between Ripon and Harrogate.

Parking: Roadside in Burton Leonard.

Lavatories: None

Refreshments: Four inns, all do food.

Tourist & public transport information: Ripon TIC 01765 604625 or Knaresborough TIC 01432 866886.

Map: Based on OS Explorer 299 Ripon and Boroughbridge.

Terrain: Flat farmland and low rises.

Points of interest: On May 26, Bank Holiday Monday, hog roast and "ladies keep fit funky display" at Bishop Monkton. Hield Gallery at Bishop Monkton.

Difficulty: Easy, smooth paths, well waymarked, no-thought navigation.

Dogs: One pasture had cows.

Weather forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418

Please observe the Country Code and park sensibly. While every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers set out at their own risk.

Directions

When in doubt look at the map. Check your position at each point. Keep straight on unless otherwise directed.

1. From Post Office, over green, right to Peter Lane (signed dead-end), left to track (signed Sports Field) till it ends.

2. Path 10 o'clock across field to white post, straight over next field, 10 o'clock across next fields until you meet waymarked shortened telegraph pole in large field (100 yards from house in field) then (not as on OS map) right to track across field (boundary gone).

3. Right to track (ignore right fork at a corner).

4. Left to road, right to Hungate, right to St John's Road, cross road.

5. Caravan Park drive then track by hedge though site.

6. Stile in fence at corner then straight on (across grass fields and beside hedges, stiles).

7. Across field with power lines, right at telegraph pole (waymarked) so hedge to your left. Join track at fieldgate. Right to road and back to Burton Leonard.

Click here to view a map of the walk

Updated: 09:29 Saturday, May 17, 2003