GEORGE WILKINSON takes a turn around Heartbeat country in dappled sunlight

Goathland was fairly quiet midweek, so I had some tea under a cherry tree and wandered the village; sometimes on its wide new pavements or on its old sandstone trods for that ethnic, Heartbeat feel.

At a garage resplendent with Francis Barnet and AJS bikes and a Bedford pick-up truck, I took our outward route, a disused railway line.

With trees each side all the way, it was very pleasant on a hot day, cooler in the dappled sunlight.

You get glimpses into the valley, catch sight of a narrow road winding up to a skyline highway where the world rushes past.

You'll hear rather than see the unassuming clank of diesel locos sliding in and out of Newton Dale and the more exuberant klaxon and puff, puff, puff of the steam trains.

The track narrows and grasses over, and the trees arch. Verges were yellow and white with celandine and stitchwort. All the way was an avenue of song, the birds love this line.

We reach a crossing, see Fylingdales, and cross over a tributary, under the rail line - a dead adder here - and over Eller Beck.

Here I had my sandwich stop, by the alders and banks of liverworts. Nearby a plaque on a dressed sandstone pillar records 'John Calvert of Goathland fell asleep here... 1907'. I continued, an effortless amble, heading back on a bridleway/private drive, of Tarmac turning to stone.

Now I could see clear into the valley, to Goathland. A dinky steam train with four maroon and cream carriages put on a show.

We are on the edge of moorland, some heather, more bracken for later in the year, and now a peppering of tiny vivid violets.

A pair of raptors was harried over the moor by a posse of small birds. There were lots of thrushes and a constant 'cuckoo'.

We bypass a farm with fine barns and cross another idyllic little stream by way of four large stepping-stones. Here there's a wood with rhododendrons and bluebells, and a pasture of boulders, birch and thorn.

Next, a boatbuilder's yard where a coble, fresh in oak and larch, was being varnished in readiness for Whitby.

After a last stream - beehives here - we're on a dead-end road with silverweed growing down the middle of the Tarmac.

Then we see another junction of road, rail and water, then angle down to Goathland Station.

A few passengers dozed in the heat on the pretty platform, waiting for the bustle of the next arrival.

Another place to linger on this lovely little walk.

See Eating Out for review of the Goathland Hotel

DIRECTIONS

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

Right from car park entrance, left down main street, right opposite garage to track, gate/cattlegrid (signed). Gates.

Left to road, bridge, left to Tarmac bridleway (signed).

At yard entrance/cattlegrid fork right to moorland path by wall. Fieldgate, stepping stones, stay by wall, track curves right by yard, changes to Tarmac (a dead-end road).

Cross road towards house and left to path by garden wall, straight on downhill, 100 yards, right to track, 100 yards to viewbench then downhill by wall on left.

Gates to railway line, cross using footbridge, bridge to lane into village, stone gateway on right signed Mill Green Way/private road, path swings left then right, gate and left to road to car park.

FACT FILE

Distance: Four miles.

Time: Two hours.

Start: Goathland.

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

Date walked: May 7, 1999

Road route: Goathland is two miles west of the A169 Pickering to Whitby road.

Parking: Car park £1.20

Lavatories: Car park.

Refreshments: Pubs and tearooms.

Tourist & public transport info: Pickering TIC 01751 472185

Map: Based on OS map Outdoor Leisure 27, North York Moors eastern area.

Terrain: Flat, or gentle slopes.

Footwear: Walking boots or shoes.

Points of interest: Trains, Goathland and views.

Difficulty: Easy/moderate. Dogs: Suitable for dogs but keep on leads or under close control.

Weather forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418

PICTURE:A dinky steam train heading out of Goathland

Click here to view a map of the walk