The circular loop around Nunnington and Caukleys Bank is one of the best walks in the Howardian Hills. This version follows most of the standard route but adds a visit to Stonegrave with its ancient Minster and a longer extra stretch alongside the River Rye.
Distance 7 miles, approximately 3.5 hours.
Getting there
The recommended starting point is opposite the entrance to Nunnington Hall where there is a small informal parking area. It’s also possible to begin from the small parking area at the top of Caukleys Bank (Point 5) or from street parking in Nunnington village. There are no feasible public transport options.
Refreshments
The facilities of Nunnington Hall are available to paying visitors. The Old Yard Coffee Shop at Nunnington Studios has limited opening times in winter but is open 10-4 most days in summer.
What to see
As well as Nunnington Hall and its grounds (entrance fee) there’s the unspoilt stone-built village of Nunnington. Caukleys Bank is an excellent viewpoint with vistas over the Howardian Hills and the North York Moors. Stonegrave Minster (open 12-3 Sunday) has its origins in the eighth century and contains fragments from four ancient stone crosses. The river Rye is fringed by trees and hosts a wide range of wildlife.
Is this a walk for me?
This route is mostly on bridleways and footpaths. There are only a few stiles but many kissing gates. Most paths are in good condition with firm surfaces but some stretches alongside the river can be very muddy in wet conditions. There are two climbs, one short but steep and one long but gradual. The route is well waymarked; points, where care is required, are underlined.
Directions
1/From the car parking area opposite Nunnington Hall’s entrance go right over the bridge and ahead on the main road. Just beyond the village hall look for a waymarked stile in the fence to the left. Over this go left with the fence into a dip then slightly left on the obvious path across a field with the grounds of Nunnington Hall left. Go through the gate veering half left across the next field as signed. Cross the stile by the next gate and keep ahead towards the mill.
2/ Pass between a mill and house, keeping ahead on the track (not right) as waymarked. Now continue with the river left and field right. At the end go through the kissing gate and cross the grass field heading slightly right. Ascend short bank and continue with fence left to kissing gate. Through, keep going to another kissing gate. Here go slightly left beside the river to a further kissing gate to meet a road at the bridge.
3/ Go right on the road. After 150 metres keep right, ignoring no through road. In a further 50 metres, take the signed path up a bank left into the wood. Turn right in a few paces to head up through the narrow wood parallel to the road. Exit the wood through a field gate and cross the road at the bend to a track opposite.
4/ Take the track (signed Stonegrave) gradually ascending, keep ahead (right) at the building. At the car wide track, cross over to continue on a grassy signed public bridleway (don’t head left downhill). Now continue on the bridleway as it gradually climbs, eventually passing seat and trig point to arrive at a road.
5/ Cross straight over the road taking the bridleway. At a junction in 400 metres, continue ahead (left). At the end of the trees on the left, go slightly left through a gate. Head downhill on a sunken track across a grassy slope. Go through the gate/stile to reach the main road.
6/ Cross the road and go left on the pavement. Cross the small grassy area to the right to pick up a track leading to Stonegrave Minster. With the church porch behind you, go half right to the corner of the graveyard to find steps/hand gate. Go ahead in the trees for 15 metres to an obvious gate leading to a grass field. Walk across the field to the kissing gate opposite. Do not go through, but instead turn right, to walk up a field alongside a wooden fence to the kissing gate in the left corner giving access to the main road. Cross over and take the signed path opposite on track, steeply uphill. At the field corner, go left alongside a hedge. Keep on the track which soon swings right through the hedge. Continue down the side of a large field with a hedge to the right to a road.
7/ Turn left on the road but in about 120 metres, take a signed path right walking alongside the hedge on the left. Where track goes left, through a gap maintain your direction, going right on grassy field edge with a hedge now right.
8/ At the field corner with the wood in front to the left, go right over the bridge to follow a path with a wire fence left and wood right. At the fence end turn right over the footbridge. Over, go left along the field edge with the river left. Now continue by the river with fields right. Nearing Nunnington, go through a kissing gate and head across the grass field keeping left of the bank. After the next kissing gate, continue ahead close to the river towards the kissing gate, giving access to the road at the bend. Go ahead on the road (Nunnington main street leading to the church is on the right) passing Nunnington Studios. Continue through the double bend to a junction. Turn left to return to the parking area.
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