Roecliffe and the River Ure

Sunday, 30th May
8.5 km (5.3 miles)

Perhaps a stroll rather than a ramble or a hike this was, nevertheless, a delightful walk which begins in the beautiful village of Roecliffe near Boroughbridge (GR SE 376659). The walk takes a pathway by the side of the church and within a couple of minutes you are on the banks of the River Ure.
The walk was taken from Paul Hannon's "Ripon and Lower Wensleydale" and his directions are certainly easy to follow as the majority of the walk simply follows the riverbank.
Spring is drawing to a close and the meadows and woodland are reaching maturity with the path through some of the woods being thigh-high in greenery.  I only mention this because it rained pretty well throughout this walk and my trousers were absolutely soaked from wading through the vegetation. However, it wasn't cold and the trousers soon dried out.  Sadly, the same can't be said for my boots which, despite being treated, let in water at an alarming rate.  It's the first time in many a year I had to wring my socks out at the end of the walk.  Sorry, but Hi-Tec aren't getting my business again and I really do need a pair of dry boots pretty soon!

Anyway, enough ranting ! the route takes you through Cherry Island Wood before emerging at Westwick Lock.  This is one of a number of locks on the River Ure that enable it to be navigated by quite large craft. Shortly after lock the view shown on the picture to the right suddenly (and I mean suddenly) emerges. This is Newby Hall, one of Yorkshire's famous stately homes.  Sadly, the weather meant that few people were around, even on a Bank Holiday Monday.

Shortly after passing the Hall the route cuts away from the river and joins a narrow back road for approximately a mile before heading off towards Roecliffe Grange Fam and back into the middle of the village with it's very inviting pub !

Usual selection of photographs from this link.  I wasn't able to find any information about the cross that appears in the churchyard of St Mary's Church, although the church is meant to date from Pre-Norman times.