Source
None.
Today’s Walkers
Ed, Neil and Paul.
Start Grid Reference
NY830567
Map of Route
Type of Walk
Fields, disused railway and riverside.
Distance and Time
9km / 5½ miles, 3 hours.
Difficulty
Low.
Our Rating (up to 5*)
3½*
Description
Parking adjacent to Allen Mill Cottages, in the sports ground carpark, we set off and joined bridleway 502/122 just next to the weir in the River East Allen. This week we were joined by a fellow, slight older but more youthful, friend and two walkers became three. Shortly after the sewage works we turned left onto footpath 502/034 and proceeded across a small footbridge and up the hill. As we crossed the remains of the old Allendale Railway branch line, we took a slight deviation from the poorly signed path, we walked up an old trackway before turning left onto another trackway and finally re-joining the footpath. A brief turn left took us onto footpath 502/025 before a turn right onto footpath 502/140 and the continued climb up the hill. Today was a misty, cooler, day but currently dry. We still stopped periodically to turn round and admire the view. Passing just to the South of Low Sunnyside, we turned left and walked left along footpath 502/030 before turning right onto footpath 502/033, heading towards Highside. Once again this is a walk that benefited from us carrying a copy of the OS Landranger series maps with us as path markings were unclear at times. We swung around side of Highside and made good use of their access road to bring us onto a minor road. Turning left, we walked a short distance up the full before taking track 503/036 towards Huds Riding, a quaint cottage whose garden you walk through as part of the path. Shortly after the house the path takes a turn to the left and we headed up the hill towards Mount Pleasant. The official path takes you through the yard but we kept to a better route just to the left of the property and adjacent to Folly House. At this point it started to rain!! Undeterred, we carried on taking the diagonal path 502/037 up to the radio masts at Catton Beacon. This was the highest point of our walk with us now being cold, windswept and slightly damp. Sheltering behind a wall, whilst listening to the wind whistling through the radio antennas, we had our morning coffee break.
We continued by walking down the access road towards Folly Lane, turning right at the junction. Although closed on the day of our walk, it’s worth mentioning Jill’s Catering Tea Room (https://en-gb.facebook.com/Jillscatering/) which is a short distance to the left of the junction. Passing by Folly House we briefly stopped to chat to the owner who was making a sterling effort with grass cutting, the rain having now stopped. At the end of Folly Lane we turned right and then left down towards Oldfield, via footpath 502/152. At Oldfield the friendly owner had a brief chat with us and helped with directions around the farm, which were very clear. This took us into a small wooded area with a pretty little stream. We followed the path towards Kilnburn, taking a sharp right turn across the stream and carried on towards Bishopside Cottage. Here we had another nice chat with the cottage owner before taking a slight detour down an unmarked track. Note: The official track takes you through the cottage garden. Our aim was to walk a short distance along the old Allendale Railway branch line. It’s worth noting that we sought permission to do this as the track bed is on private land. The official path (still 502/152) would negate this. Entering a small, sheltered and dry cutting, we had lunch whilst reminiscing about the golden days of steam and the Beeching cuts.
Refuelled we made the short trip along the old line before re-joining our planned route by turning right and heading down Colliery Lane. This is a narrow road and a little steep in places. Pausing briefly to admire the views of the River East Allen at Oakpool Bridge, we turned left onto footpath 502/023. Now on a flat section we walked alongside the river, at times through long wet grass. At Bridge Eal there is the most spectacular well-kept and beautiful garden, the owner, whom we briefly spoke to, being naturally very proud. The path has been diverted here, with excellent signage, and takes you right through the garden. We carried on along the path but, at one point, it takes a well-signed diversion due to path erosion near Bees Bank. Carrying on through the woods we eventually met the B6295 road. Turning left we cross the bridge over the River East Allen, stopping to look at the weir and the debris it contained. Finally, we arrived back at the carpark with wet and aching legs. A good walk!
Middle Aged Ramblings 