Saxton and Towton

Sunday, 30th January.

12Km (7.46 Miles) - 2hr 47 min

Although this was a 71/2 mile walk it was relatively easy with few inclines to cope with.  This was just as well as we had both had a "heavy" night the previous evening as we celebrated John's Retirement!! 

Saxton is a small village just off the B1217 Tadcaster to Wakefield Road. It's "celebrity" is shared  with nearby Towton as the scene of the Battle of Towton, described at the "biggest and bloodiest" battles fought on English soil. Fought in 1461 as part of the War of the Roses it is estimated that some 28,000 people lost their lives and part of the walk follows Cock Beck which is said to have flowed red with the blood of the slaughtered.

We parked in the village by the church (GR SE 475368) and soon left the village behind as we headed out on the track past farms and cottages whilst on the other side was the site of the battle and, in particular "Bloody Meadow" where the Yorkists coralled the Lancastrians and infilicted heavy casualties on them. The track then takes a sharp right had turn towards Newstead Farm and the only piece of uphill work on the whole walk.

Cresting the brow of the hill brings Hazelwood Castle into view and the long, straight path heads towards it before veering off in front of the haa-haa wall and cutting through Hazelwood Park before skirting Hayton Wood.

The final stretch drops down into the valley to join Cock Beck once again and this is followed before again turning off for St Mary, Lead.  

The history of this tiny church, which stands alone in middle ofa field, is written on the back of the door. The church was first built in the 12th Century and eventually fell into direpair befoe being rennovated and re-consecrated in the 1930s.  It certainly is small with only eight pews inside.

After visiting the church one strikes through the Car Park of the Crooked Billet pub (with some self control to stop yourself visiting it ) and up the banking before dropping back into Saxton, although our way was "barred" as the farmer had ploughed the field where the footpath was supposed to run! No problem really as we just skirted the field edge to get back to the car.

A grey and overcast afternoon but a gentle walk that cleared the cobwebs and a couple of bits of history to keep it interesting !

Selection of photos available