The Grey Panthers
18 February 2009, - Gilling West & Gayles


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10.1 miles.
Explorer Map 304, - Darlington & Richmond

The walk was made when the weather was overcast and damp, and conditions underfoot were distinctly wet and muddy, - even though a significant part of the walk utilises farm tracks and minor roads.
Although the walk can be considered a year-round walk, it would be highly rewarding in sunshine with good visibility, as there are some superb views along the way.
In mid to late February, there are plenty of snowdrops and aconites to be seen in Kirby Hill (Kirby Ravensworth) and at Hartforth.
Both Kirby Hill (Kirby Ravensworth) and Ravensworth itself ate villages of great charm, character, and historical interest and are worth a visit at any time.


Memory Map
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 small parking area outside the church at Gilling West (NZ18281 05105).
You may cut through the churchyard of St. Agatha's, to take the footpath across fields to Waters Lane. Alternatively, walk down the main street of Gilling West, heading Southwards, until you come to Waters Lane.
Follow Waters Lane past Crabtree House Farm until you come to a junction with a farm track. Here turn left for a short distance, then follow the farm track on your right to Hartforth Wood, and down to cross the Smelt Mill Beck at a ford. Continue on the farm track until you come to the gate at the field below Whaston Hag Farm.
Follow the footpath signs round the edge of the field until you come to the minor road that leads from Whaston Hag Farm to Whaston village. Follow the road through Whaston village.
At NZ147 062 there is a bridleway on your left, which takesyou up to the minor road between Ravensworth and Richmond. Cross the road, and then take the field footpath to Kirby Hill.
The footpath enters Kirby Hill by a narrow lane that exits immediately in front of the church.
Continue along the minor road from Kirby Hill to Gayles, leaving the road at a signposted footpath on your left (found just past a house which had two huge dogs keeping guard in front of the house).
Follow this field footpath to Gayles, which you enter via small lane.
Turn right at the road, and after a short distance take the signposted footpath to Ravensworth.
NOTE : This footpath is NOT "user friendly". The first section crosses a very muddy, and fighly churned up, field. Passing through a gate as per the path on the Ordnance Survey map, there are then few indications as to where the correct path lies. It is essential to follow field patterns on the map to find the correct way forward. Further complications included poorly maintained, and difficult to use, stiles across fences.
Where this footpath meets the minor road, follow the road into Ravensworth.
Take the road Esatwards out of Ravensworth, and as you leave Ravensworth itself take the lane Northwards which takes you to the field footpath to Pond Dale Farm (follow field patterns).
From Pond Dale Farm take the track to Comfort Lane, and turn left once you meet this minor road.
Just past the entrance to Grange Farm, take the track to the Hartforth Beck, then follow the footpath that runs beside the beck to Hartforth.
From Hartforth, take the waymarked field footpath back to Gilling West.





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