Moor Monkton, Red House, and the Nidd and Ouse
This short stroll, very suitable for a summer’s evening, offers some of the best riverside walking close to York. There’s lots of variety. As well as the waterside stretches there are views to Nun Monkton Priory and Beningbrough Hall across the river, birds aplenty on the lagoon of the waterworks, and a quiet area of woodland with a fine show of bluebells in spring.
Is this walk for me?
This is a short and flat walk. There is only one stile to cross. There are several sections where the route can be muddy, especially leaving the water treatment works and in Redhouse Wood. The route should not be attempted when river levels are high as sections will be impassable. Cattle may be grazing on the riverside fields between Moor Monkton and Red House.
Getting there
The recommended starting point is Moor Monkton where there is roadside parking on the village street. It is also possible to start from Direction Point 4 where limited parking space is available. Unfortunately, there are no public transport options to either starting point. Bus 22 does stop on the A59 at Moor Monkton crossroads from where it is possible to walk to either starting point. This would more than double the route mileage and timing.
Refreshments
There are no options on the route.
What to see
The riverside stretches provide attractive walking and a good habitat for wildlife. Various birds can be seen on the water including, in summer, sand martins which nest in the banks of the Ouse. Numerous bird species can be seen on the lagoon of the water treatment works. The route passes the confluence of the Nidd with the Ouse. There are good views across the river to Nun Monkton and, slightly further downstream, Beningbrough Hall. The Red House estate contains an unusual seventeenth-century chapel. The walk traverses the full length of Redhouse Wood, an under-appreciated woodland with a variety of wildlife.
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Directions
1. Walk ahead down Moor Monkton’s single street continuing until the tarmac turns sharp right at a tree, seat, and a bridleway signpost. Here, go left (ahead) through gates by a cattle grid following a track with the river Nidd down to the left. Ignore a public footpath heading right (your return route) continuing on the track until it bends hard right. Leave the track here heading straight ahead over grass aiming just to the right of a prominent telegraph pole. Continue in the same direction soon walking with a hedge on the right and the river on the left to find a gate at the bottom of a gentle slope. Go through and walk ahead over the field to reach the river bank at the confluence of the Nidd with the Ouse.
2. Turn right following the Ouse downstream on the embankment. At gates take that to the left, as way marked, staying by the river. Continue through a further gate to arrive at a third gate giving access to the water treatment works area. Here continue alongside the river ignoring two unmarked paths heading right. The water treatment works lagoon is soon visible to the right.
3. At the end of the waterworks area do not continue on the main path by the river. Instead, about ten metres before a gate, head right on a fainter path with small trees and a ditch to the left. Follow this path as it curves along the edge of the waterworks property with the lagoon away to the right. Approaching a wooden fence veer left dropping down into bushes to find a gate. Go through and continue on the clear path to reach a tarmac, tree-lined avenue. Turn right.
4. Where the avenue ends do not continue ahead but turn right (signpost part hidden in a tree) on another tarmac track going through metal gates and with a wood left. In about 250 metres, just before the tarmac turns right, go left on a path (yellow way mark pointing back) into the wood. Now continue straight ahead through the wood for about 750 metres on the clear grassy path ignoring all tracks off.
5. At the end of the wood go through the gate then turn immediately right to the field corner. Here turn left with the hedge right on the field edge. At the field end go through a gate and over a rickety stile immediately beyond which turn half left over the grass towards the houses of Moor Monkton. Reaching the track taken at the start of the walk follow it left to return to Moor Monkton. (If starting from Direction Point 4 turn right on reaching the track then follow the walk from “(your return route)” in Direction Point 1).
Disclaimer: Walks are undertaken at your own risk. Due care must be taken in following the walk, particularly after poor weather. Whilst every care is taken in compiling the description, some changes may have occurred since publication. Neither the walk author nor Your Local Link can accept any responsibility for any errors or omissions.
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