GEORGE WILKINSON enjoys visiting the meeting of the rivers Nidd and Ouse
Moor Monkton lies central in the Vale of York, in essence a single-street village with houses one side and the River Nidd the other. We walk round the end bend of its street and onto a flatness of ploughed and pasture fields, to start a walk of concentrated and various interest.
A grassy bridleway leads past leafing hedges and deep, greening and celandine-brightened ditches to Red House Lane which we will take towards the river for the next mile until the quiet Tarmac ends. Like most of the route, there are good mid-distance, views. Historic buildings dot the horizon. Almost as far away are turkey farms. They don't visually dominate yet... but plans to double their size have offended the sensibilities of locals and sensitised their nostrils to the possibilities of fowl aromas.
We turn in, to touch briefly Red House Wood, where it's edged with pines and carpeted by bluebells, then take the drive of The Red House itself.
I liked the place, an ordered but friendly arrangement of buildings from the Jacobean to the modern, and, since 1902, a prep school.
The public bridleway stops here but the owner, Mrs Gordon, has kindly allowed us to continue to the river. You are welcome to visit the 17th century chapel where the staircase is an exquisite little experience. Buy the booklet in the chapel, read the fantastic story of the Slingsby family here - battles (Marston Moor was a couple of miles south), drownings, and how an ear lobe decided a paternity suit.
The River Ouse is on the doorstep. Placid and wide, it flows downstream with willows on its northern bank and flood scalloped bank on its southern. Upstream and, for us, there's a mile or more, approximately on floodbank, with lots to see at intervals.
I had my sandwich stop by a large green and black barge called Rachael II then set off. First comes the pumping station, with its booms, waterworks, 'automatic air dischargers' and reservoir. The latter finds favour with ducks, divers and Canada geese some of which cruised the river. On the far bank is the line of Beningbrough's frontage housing.
After a while, with a mooring and a boat now and then, we reach the confluence of the Nidd and Ouse, a spacious one as befits two great rivers. Across the water are two fine houses, one in the North Riding and one in the West, divided by the Ouse. Beningbrough Hall, solid and austere, lies deep in parkland. Nun Monkton Hall is closer, more romantic, and boasts a terrific hedge, the shade of a Cedar of Lebanon and is offset by two sky-bound redwoods. We finish up towards the horizon of Nun Monkton.
DIRECTIONS
When in doubt look at the map. Check your position at each point. Keep straight on unless otherwise directed.
1. Phone kiosk, through village (river on left), round right-hand bend, tarmac changes to track, fieldgates.
2. After wooden fieldgate between hedges and ditches, follow large ditch curving round to left, fieldgate.
3. Halfway along side of wood turn right by old hedgerow (waymark).
4. Fieldgate and left to Redhouse Lane. Ignore left fork and enter grounds of school. Pass games pitches. Path on left by large oak (private fishing sign), stile and footbridge via moats to river (continue along school drive to see chapel - opposite stable block).
5. Left at River Ouse. Left at confluence with River Nidd, gates, straight across field (keep to left of trees above river), grassy path then track back to village.
FACT FILE
Distance: Nearly four miles.
Time: Two hours.
Start: Moor Monkton
Right of way: The route is along public rights of way, and one stretch by permission.
Date walked: March 15, 1999.
Road route: Moor Monkton lies east of the A59 York to Knaresborough road
Car parking: Roadside.
Lavatories: None.
Refreshments: None.
Tourist & public transport information: Boroughbridge TIC 01423 323373
Map: The OS map is Pathfinder 664, York (west).
Terrain: Tracks, riverside path, dead-end lane.
Footwear: Walking boots, stout shoes, or if dry, trainers.
Points of interest: Confluence of River Ouse and River Nidd. Architecture. Chapel at Redhouse School.
Difficulty: Easy/moderate.
Dogs: By the river a sign warns 'loose dogs will be shot.' Don't forget the lead.
Weather forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418
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