“The 5 Village Walk”
The group of 11 walkers met in the centre of “Gilling West”. After an outline on the village history-Anglo Saxon through to current influence of both Aske and Skelton estates we headed west towards “Hartforth”; a very sleepy but attractive old village .
After a brief debate/vote on the architectural merits or otherwise of a recently re-developed Georgian “pile” , we crossed Hartforth estate , passing the old hall & clock tower .
We walked through pasture then woodland by the old mill house and on to “Ravensworth” & the ruined castle, previously the seat of the Fitzhugh family . Latterly the village has been better known as the seat of cricketer “Lord Botham “!
Next we tackled the steep incline to “Kirby Hill” with a super East/West panoramic view .
We enjoyed lunch on the quaint village green with alms houses , miniature Grammar School and the open medieval church .
Our return route was via the normally sleepy village of “Whashton” , to “Gilling West”( with a brief call at St Agatha’s church) . The 8 mile walk was “topped off” with well deserved “cake,coffee and ice cream, at nearby “Aske Hall”.
Report by Chris Burton.