Get tucked in

The info board in Osmotherley describes the village as 'tucked in under the western edge of the North York Moors'. Though the A19 skirts just a mile away, thundering north and south, that mile is enough.

The village is pleasant and was bustling. A back road works into the Cleveland Hills for another mile or so, to the top end of Cod Beck Reservoir.

The first car park was full at midday, on a soft, still Saturday. The second, larger, was nearly empty. Not bad for the end of January.

Here we are 'tucked in' too, surrounded by a swell of moorland to three points of the compass and to the south by the wooded and flooded valley.

Lots of people gambolled by the beck with their dogs, others wandered off to the reservoir. Those with rucksacks had long gone.

The reservoir looks good from the top end through a frizz of alders. It is narrow, longish, and framed by conifers. What doesn't look good is the graffiti of signs, mostly of the 'beware' or 'do not' variety. I walked by the reservoir. The water glistened through the larches and a heron flew past, reflected on the surface. At intervals, those with short-term memory problems are reminded not to light fires. After an easy three-quarters of a mile I'd reached the dam. A fish rose. Most people had gone, it was lunchtime so I chose a picnic table near the 1953-dated valve tower.

Cod Beck carries on, squirting from beneath a sloping earthen dam, which had a few molehills, and then gurgling into a wooded ravine. Shotguns crackled down there, otherwise it was peaceful.

For today's 'easy circuit', just take more of the same, this time up the other side of the reservoir. For a bit more of a challenge, I headed east gently up through mixed, mainly conifer, woodland.

Attempts to head south were defeated by a quagmire of pasture and track so I kept on up and east, passing ruins and mossy stones, and along a stream running through the last of the trees.

We meet High Lane, a good stone track and our way back. Above is the heather of Pamperdale Moor.

Interestingly, sandstone walls show that a significant area of this moor was enclosed. Halfway along, the track dips and you see how you are heading for the same destination as all the other routes in the landscape, the same destination as valleys dry and wet, and gill and beck. At their junction, at the finish, I rejoined the throng.

Assistant National Parks' ranger Phil Rotherham was surveying the scene from his grey 4x4 Defender. He had been about that day but this was the busiest spot.

He told me the route around the reservoir is a recent addition. We talked about the problems of popularity, the signs, and incidentally, he recommended the village's award-winning loos.

Then it was back to Osmotherley for tea at The Coffee Pot, walker-interest books at the corner shop, and those loos where the awards are on the walls and there are flowers.

DIRECTIONS

From car park, moorland path to reservoir, snickelgate. Down western side to dam (fork left in trees for waterside path).

Easy route option - over dam and left up other side of reservoir. Longer route - over dam, straight on uphill on track into wood.

Right at tracks crossroads (Yorkshire Water signs).

Left uphill between ruins and stream (no sign).

Gate and left to track at edge of wood.

Left at footbridge/ford to car park.

FACT FILE

Distance: Two and a half miles (short route one and a half miles).

Time: One hour and a half.

Start: Northern end of Cod Beck Reservoir.

Right of Way: The complete route is along public rights of way and permissive paths.

Date walked: Saturday, January 30, 1999.

Road Route: Osmotherley is one mile east of the A19 and the reservoir is one mile along the road that leads north out of the village.

Car Parking: Free car parks at northern end of reservoir.

Lavatories: Osmotherley.

Refreshments: Pubs and tearooms at Osmotherley.

Tourist & Public Transport Information: Helmsley TIC 01439 770173

Map: The OS map is North York Moors western area, OL 26.

Terrain: Paths and tracks, sometimes muddy. One climb.

Footwear: Walking boots, stout shoes, or, if dry, trainers.

Points of interest: Cod Beck Reservoir. Moors.

Difficulty: Moderate/easy. Short route easy, with stream/stepping stones.

Dogs: Suitable for dogs kept under close control.

Weather Forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418

PICTURE: Cod Beck

Click here to view a map of the walk