10.2 miles.

Explorer Map OL299, - Ripon & Boroughbridge

A delightful walk that takes in four North Yorkshire villages, each with its own church that is well worth visiting.
Coxwold, of course, is extremely well known, - and especially the Church of St. Michael's. But the other villages all have their charm and their interest, and well repay a visit.
Much of the walk involves farm footpaths. At the time of year we went the footpaths were heavily overgrown, and in places it was essential to carefully follow field patterns in the Ordnance Survey map in order to keep on track.
On one section, leaving Carlton Husthwaite, the footpath is virtually hidden and appeared to be used very little indeed. It took some finding.
There are no gradients to trouble anybody on this walk.

For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)

Start from the car park in Coxwold (SE53629 77317). Take the road into the village, and at the cross-roads turn left along the minor road towards Oulston. Just past Newburgh priory, take the farm track at SE54118 76295 to High Leys Farm.
Just past the farm, on your right, is a waymarked footpath that takes you to Husthwaite.
From the Church of St. Nicholas in Husthwaite, head West along the road until you come to a lane on your right at SE51413 75045. This lane is marked "Private Road" and leads to a Caravan Club site. Just before the lane crosses the Elphin Beck at Ings Bridge, there is waymarked footpath on your left. This footpath was somewhat overgrown, and the entrance needed to be looked for.
Follow the footpath to Thormanby. However, although the footpath is waymarked, some care is needed in following it.
Walk past St. Mary's Church (an 11th Century Church) and a little bit further along there is a finger post directing you to the footpath to Carlton Husthwaite. The footpath is reasonably clear, but you need to watch out for the way mark signs.
In Carlton Husthwaite, make for St. Mary's Church.
From St. Mary's Church, head West out of the village and at the road junction walk a short fistance North up the minor road.
Hidden on your right is the footpath that will eventually take you in a Northerly direction to Skew Green. This footpath is VERY overgrown, and appeares to have been little used. Following it was quite difficult, and it was essential to check progress against the 1:25000 OS map.
Eventually, however, the footpath becomes "regular" and leads you to the minor road between Thirkleby and Coxwold.
Cross this road and take the farm track to Skew Green.
from Skew Green, take the footpath East to Wildon Grange Farm. This footpath is waymarked, but some care is needed in following it.
From Wildon Grange Farm, continue East (crossing two minor roads) in the direction of Fox Folly.
After crossing the second minor road, take the footpath to Coxwold.