There and beck

New Explorers are starting to cover much of our area, replacing the old Pathfinders.

I refer of course to Ordnance Survey maps. Square mile per square mile they are much cheaper, one map replacing a handful, and also long distance routes and local 'rounds' are continuously marked and obvious at a glance.

For a try out of a new Explorer, I headed to Spofforth near Harrogate, a place with a castle, big houses, old railway line, parkland and stream.

A few minutes blast of traffic takes us out of town, a few more following the flow of Crimple Beck and we lose the outskirts, and another ten minutes and things are quite pleasant.

This first half of our circuit, to the east of A661, is through very low lying alluvial fields with lapwings, floodbanks, and rises of land, some terraced with ancient strip lynchets, some topped by woods.

Parallel is a fast track for walkers and cyclists on the old railway line. After a mile or so we cross this, go through the yard of Stockeld Grange, over the road, and enter Stockeld Park at its main gates. These gates are flanked by a pair of cast and gilded stags' heads, each pierced horribly through the nose by an arrow.

Perhaps the park was once a deer park. I saw no deer and certainly no one out with bow and arrow, these days the only 'sport' in evidence is cricket. In fact it's all rather nice, with trees, a flock of sheep, the cricket pitch, Home Farm, a folly-type construction and the elegant house.

We turn north on track, pass bluebell woods, and get some views of gentle countryside that I will explore another day.

I tried a re-entry into Spofforth across some fields but as the footpath goes through a new house, I retreated and had to put up with a bit more of the A661. Never mind, Spofforth Castle is soothing and fascinating.

A small one, more a medieval fortified manor house built into the rock in the quiet end of town.

It's a ruin, but a skeleton with plenty of flesh - arches, tracery, and a tower. Children played hide and seek in its subterranean nooks and crannies.

DIRECTIONS

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

From Castle Street, left to main road, bridge and immediately right to riverside path.

Wooden bridge and immediately left, two stone bridges, gate.

Right by stream, footbridge with white rails over stream, stile, cross field and old railway line, track between hedges, gate/fieldgate, 11 o'clock across field, through farmyard, cross main road.

Gate to right of main entrance and join drive, pass track on right to farm, 100 yards then as drive swings left towards main house, carry straight on across the grass, rejoin drive.

White gates to track through wood, fieldgate on right to track by edge of wood, stay on track, left to main road back to Spofforth (pavement).

FACT FILE

Distance: Four miles.

Time: One and a half hours.

Start: Spofforth.

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

Date walked: Saturday, April 8, 2000.

Road Route: Spofforth is between Harrogate and Wetherby.

Car Parking: Roadside.

Lavatories: None.

Refreshments: Two pubs.

Tourist & Public Transport Information: Harrogate TIC 01423 537300

Map: Based on Ordnance Survey Explorer 289, Leeds. Just published.

Terrain: Nearly flat.

Footwear: Walking boots.

Points of interest: Spofforth Castle (free). Stockeld Park House.

Difficulty: Easy.

Dogs: Suitable for dogs but keep on leads or under close control.

Weather Forecast: Evening Press and recorded forecast 0891 500 418

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

PICTURE:The ruins of Spofforth Castle

Click here to view a map of the walk