The Grey Panthers

A walk of two halves, - the outward leg along the Western side of Danby Dale follows the Esk Valley Walk and is well signed and is reasonably straightforward to follow. At the time of year that we walked the route, the views were reward in themselves.
The half-way point in the walk is Botton Village, a Camphill Community. The workshops of this Community may be visited, and products bought from their shops.
There are benches by the Community Centre at the heart of the village which we were very glad to use for our picnic lunch.
The return leg of the walk heads Northwards along the Eastern side of Danby Dale. Here the footpath is not nearly so well marked, and a good 1 : 25000 OS map is essential. Not only is some of the ground rough pastureland, but there are several wall stiles to cross. A couple of these wall stiles were especially tricky. This leg of the walk is not advised for anybody not happy with negotiating wall stiles.
However, at all parts of the walk there are some superb views, which well repay the effort of the journey.

For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above link.
(Overlay made with Version 5 of Memory Map)

Some new mapping software is now available which you may want to try, - QUO mapping. You can download the software for free from the link below, complete with demonstration maps. Having installed QUO, you can import and export Memory Map overlays. Thus YOU DON'T NEED Memory Map to use any of the overlays provided on the Grey Panthers web site, - just use QUO!!

The walk starts from the street in Castleton that leads on to Wandels Lane (NZ689 080). There is very limited parking in Castleton, so please respect the local residents.
Head back to Castleton High Street and walk up the street to High Castleton.
At the point where housing ends, there is a clearly indicated footpath to Didderhowe Farm.
Head Southwards past the farm and onto the clearly waymarked Esk Valley Walk.
Continue Southwards to Plum Tree Farm and Blackmires Farm.
When you reach the road, cross over and pass through Stormy Hall Farm, bearing slightly right as you pass the farm buildings.
Continue Southwards until you come to Honey Bee Nest Farm at Danby Head.
At the road, bear sharp left and follow the road (using the footpath beside it) until you reach another footpath just past the beck.
This footpath isn't shown on the OS map, but takes you into Botton Village at High Farm.
Follow village footpaths to reach the village centre.
From the village centre head Eastwards to Falcon Farm. Pass through the farmyard (crossing a small beck) to take the field footpath that leads you Northwards to Botton Farm. The footpath is not fully waymarked, and you may have to rely on your 1 : 25000 OS map to find your way.
From Botton Farm head Northwards to Roger's House Farm (where the footpath is diverted round the farm buildings). Continue Northwards to East Cliff Farm, Botton Grove Farm and Lumley House Farm. Along the way are several wall stiles.
Past Lumley House Farm the footpath crosses the field wall at a very indistinct wall stile. This not only needs to be looked for, but crossed with some care.
At North End Farm take the farm road to Tofts Lane. Head North along this road to meet a signposted footpath close to some housing.
Head West along the field footpath (North of the Danby Showground) to Howe Farm.
From Howe Farm take the track to the War Memorial that overlooks Castleton and Danby.
Return to Danby by the footpath from the War Memorial.