Black Swan, Fearby to Masham – 2.5 miles About one hour’s walking time with the option to return via Marfields gravel pit nature reserve, a total of 6 miles, about 3 hour’s walking time.
Description.
From the side of the Black Swan walk down the caravan field to the fence at the bottom. At the fence turn left and go over the stile in the corner of the caravan field. Cross the next field to the stile in the hedge opposite. Cross the stile and walk along the edge of the next narrow field with the hedge on your left to the stile in the corner of the field. Cross the stile and continue along the edge of the field with the hedge on your left until you reach the telegraph pole in the hedge.
Walk across the corner of the field from the telegraph pole under the power line to the fence opposite. At the fence turn right and follow the fence for a few yards to a two plank footbridge over the ditch on the left. Cross the plank bridge and the stile after it. Over the stile keep to the left and follow the hedge to the gate in the corner of the field. Go through the gate and cross the next field to the gate in the left hand corner. Go through the gate and cross the next field to the gate opposite.
Go through this gate and follow the hedge round the edge of the field to the next gate. Go through the gate and cross the next field diagonally to the stile opposite. Cross the stile and the two plank footbridge after it. Cross the field diagonally to the stile between two large flat stone posts. Cross the stile and cross the next field to the stile opposite. Cross the stile and cross the corner of the field to the stile in the hedge. Cross the stile and turn left to follow the hedge to the stile in the corner of the field. Cross the stile onto a lane.
Turn right to follow the lane down the slope to the corner. On the crown of the bend is a finger post by the hedge. Go through the gate next to the finger post and follow the path along the edge of the field with the hedge on your left. Keep on
this path round the corner of the field to a stile on the left about halfway along the side of the field. Cross the stile and follow the path along the edge of the field with the hedge on your left to a stile at at the end of the field. Cross the stile and continue along the edge of the field with the hedge on your left to the gate at the end of the field. Go through the gate and follow the track round the edge of the field with the hedge on your left to a gate at the end of the field. Go through the gate and walk down the slope to cross the field diagonally to the gate opposite. Go through the gate and follow the track along the edge of the field with the hedge on your right. At the end of the field is a stream with a post and wire fence on both sides. Immediately across the stream turn right and go through the gate ahead. Through the gate follow the hedge on the left around the edge of the field, past some barns where the hedge stops and is a post and wire fence begins.
At the end of the field the track continues between two hedges and then passes an agricultural depot. On the left. From the depot follow the access road to its junction with Westholme Road. Turn right to walk along Westholme Road round the bends to the back of Theakston’s Brewery. Immediately past the brewery turn left down an alleyway. At the end of the alleyway turn right and then left on to the main road. At the next bend in the main road turn right and enter the market square in Masham.
After your visit to Masham you can return to the Black Swan using the same route in reverse or you can use a route of about 3 miles via the Marfields gravel pits nature reserve. To use this route follow the guide below. From the Flag pole in the market square head for the road between the Bay Horse pub and the Bruce Arms pub. Follow this road down the hill to the junction with the main road to Ripon, A6108. At the main road head towards Ripon with the playing fields and river on your right. Just a few yards from the junction is a car park sign pointing down a track to the right. On the opposite side of the main road is a narrow tarmac road up the side of the Bank Villa B&B toward the back of the Black Sheep brewery. Go up this narrow road and at the end of the stone wall on your right turn right to cross a car park to a finger post footpath sign in the corner. Follow the path from the sign along a ledge behind some housed with the Black Sheep Brewery on your left.
Certificate of Excellence
Keep Up To Date
Follow Us!