Selby Health Walks No. 145 Saxton and Barkston Ash Circular
Saxton Church
Walk Overview
A very pleasant moderate walk commencing on the outskirts of Barkston Ash village and following country lanes and field tracks through open countryside with long distance views over the Vale of York in the early stages before descending to the historic Crooked Billet Pub on Wakefield Road at Saxton where a welcome break can be enjoyed and perhaps a brief visit to the historic Lead Church which is situated in the field opposite the Crooked Billet. From here the walk continues across field tracks into the heart of Saxton Village passing All Saints Church where the Lancastrian, Lord Dacre, who was killed at the Battle of Towton in 1461, is buried, reputedly astride his horse. The walk then heads towards Scarthingwell Park, climbing out of the village along field tracks before joining the A162 road to follow the final leg back to Barkston Ash.
The walk is not difficult but is best undertaken in dry weather as some of the field tracks can be uneven and muddy in wet weather.Most legs of the walk involve moderate gradients and there are two sections of road walking where walkers are advised to follow road walking protocol of single file and facing oncoming traffic. There are no stiles but there are two short sections of steps. The walk is unsuitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
Route Description
1.Leave the Ash Tree car park and turn right to pass the front of the Inn then shortly turn right into Oldgate Lane which climbs gently, passing Oldgate Farm on your left. (Note, just before the farm you will see a footpath sign on your left which you ignore and continue ahead). After the farm, the lane becomes a field track before arriving at a sharp left hand bend .(Point 2 –0.8 miles)
2. Bearleft here and continue for a short distance until the track bears right to descend down towards Coldhill Lane with another left hand bend before the final descent to join Coldhill Road. (Point 3 – 1.4 miles)
3. Turn right here to follow the roadside verge passing Lower Coldhill Farm on your right before arriving at Coldhill Pond where the road bends sharply right, upwards and then left before a tee junction where you turn right and continue for a few yards to a footpath sign on the left. (Point 4 – 2.0 miles)
4. Follow this footpath along a field track which eventually descends to the Crooked Billet Pub on Wakefield Road on the outskirts of Saxton Village where you can take a break or make a short visit to Lead Church in the field opposite the pub. (Point 5 - 2.7 miles)
5. On leaving the pub, cross its car park diagonally to climb up through a signposted gap in the hedge and join a track ahead alongside the field edge (take care as track is uneven and rutted) continuing until you reach some steps at the field boundary. Climb the steps through a hedge to join another field where you will see a clear track across the arable field heading towards Saxton Village. Continue across the field until you reach its far boundary where you turn left to follow the track which shortly emerges on Dam Lane. Turn right here and follow Dam Lane, using verges and footpaths where available, passing Saxton Primary School on your right, before arriving at a crossroads in the centre of the village with All Saints Church on your right. If open, this interesting Church is well worth a visit. (Point 6 – 3.5 miles)
6. Turn right onto Main Street and follow this for a short distance before crossing the street to join a signposted track on the left which passes through Manor Farm yard then bears right and upwards to join a field edge track with a hedge on your left and the field on your right. Continue along this track until you arrive at a small wood which you pass through to arrive at some steps down through a gap in a stone wall to emerge on the verge of the A162 road opposite Scarthingwell Park. Cross the road with care (can be very busy with traffic appearing over a blind hill on your right) to join the footpath on the far side. (Point 7 – 4.3 miles)
7. Turn right here and follow the footpath towardsBarkston Ash, passing the entrance to Scarthingwell Park and also Barkston Ash Catholic Primary School en route, and continuing along the A162(London Road) until you arrive back at The Ashtree Inn. Cross the road with care to arrive back in the car park. (Point 1 – 5.0 miles)
Prepared by David Walker, 5th July 2014 Risk Assessment Available - Generic