TREASURE HUNT: Stamford Bridge

Nope, not Chelsea FC’s football ground, but the pretty village with a big battle history. 

1. Always practical: Let’s start the tour of old Stammy B in Shallows Free Carpark just off Viking Road. Don’t miss the Viking Ship Planter on your way in. Head to the information board on the right hand side of the car park.

• What’s the name of the river that runs through Stamford Bridge?
• You’re about to head on the Stamford Bridge Nature Walk, which group conceived it? 

2. Set off on the nature walk that runs along the River Derwent.

• What does the York Amalgamation of Anglers want you to know? 

3. When you reach the viaduct turn left – don’t go underneath it. Keep left until you reach the steps. 

• In what year was the viaduct opened? 
• What was its original use?

4. Turn away from the viaduct to your left and head towards the old train station.

• When were services officially withdrawn from the station?
• What time does the London-Edinburgh leave Kings Cross on a Wednesday? 

5. At the station fence turn left again, walk up until you come to The Parish Church of Stamford Bridge. Take a right onto Moor Road.

• Which saint is this church named after? 
• What time are Sunday services?

6. Follow the bend of Moor Road, until you come to Whiterose Drive. Take a left here and walk to the clearing at the end. 

• Which famous battle took place here? What year?
• What aren’t dogs allowed to do in this spot?

7. Make a U turn and head back onto Moor Road. When you reach Battleflats Way, take a right then turn left onto Wharton Road.

• What type of road is Wharton Road? 

8. You’ll spot a little public footway in the right hand corner of Wharton Road, take that and then turn left where the paths cross.

• What little magical creatures seem to dwell here?

9. Back onto the main road, take a left. Follow down until you reach the red post box, outside Willow Tree Gift Shop.

• Who owns the funeral directors? 

10. Follow Main Street until you end up back where you began, Shallows Free Carpark.

• What is the name of the Viking Ship Planter? 
• Who built it?

ANSWERS: 1. River Derwent. Stamford Bridge in Bloom Group. 2. It’s private fishing only. 3. 1847. It was built for the railway. 4. 29th November 1965. 10am. 5. St John the Baptist. 8am and 10am. 6. The Battle of Stamford Bridge. 1066. No fouling. 7. Dead end. 8. Fairies. 9. Bryan Mills. 10. Ormen and then renamed Einar in September 2016. Construction Centre, York College.

FUN FACT: The Battle of Stamford Bridge took place on 25th September 1066, between King Harold Godwinson’s English army and an invading Norwegian force led by King Harald Hardrada and the English King’s brother Tostig Godwinson.

In Loving Memory:The Viking ship planter was originally named Ormen, after Harald Hardrada’s longship. However, as part of the 950th anniversary of the Battle of Stamford Bridge in September 2016, it was officially renamed Einar. This name was in honour of co-chair of the Battle of Stamford Bridge Heritage Society, Tom Wyles, who took the name Einar Sigurdsson when he dressed as a Viking re-enactor. He sadly died of a heart attack in February 2016. The ship planter was therefore renamed in his honour, although the original name plate, Ormen, was retained on the other side of the boat.