Huttons Ambo
Time: 2¼ hours
Distance: 4 miles
This route, easily walked in a half day or summer evening, visits a sometimes-overlooked corner of the Howardian Hills National Landscape area between the A64 and the River Derwent. As well as woodland and a short stretch by the river, it passes through the tucked-away villages of Low and High Hutton that make up the parish of Huttons Ambo.
Is This Walk For Me?
This short walk has a few ups and downs, none steep. There are no stiles. Cattle may be grazing in the fields at Direction Points 1 and 3. The riverside path at Direction Point 9 was overgrown but passable when walked. Flooding may affect this section when the river is high.
Getting There
The recommended starting point is the small car park near the river at Low Hutton accessed from Buck Lane, then Water Lane off the green in the centre of Low Hutton. Another starting point is High Hutton near the church. It’s also possible to start from the opposite bank of the Derwent where there is a small parking area. This involves crossing the suspension bridge to start at Direction Point 1. Low and High Hutton are 15 miles from York using the A64. Coastliner buses run regularly from the Station and Stonebow. Alight at the junction of the A64 with Barrygate Lane and walk down the lane for 500 metres to start at Direction Point 6.
Refreshments
There are no opportunities on route. The closest options are in Welburn or Malton.
Directions
1. Starting from the car parking area, walk back under the railway bridge and continue on the lane back into Low Hutton village. At the green and war memorial, bear left into the road marked by a No Through Road sign. Continue on this until you reach the end of a grassy area to the left and a wooden seat. Here, go left on a track (house sign The Tofts). Continue passing buildings right, going downhill on an enclosed track until you reach a kissing gate.
2. Through the gate (convenient seat at the left), follow the obvious path over the grass field parallel to the river and with the railway to the left. At the far side, go through a gate into the wood, taking the main (left) of two paths. Now continue through the wood on a narrow footpath, eventually coming to a clearing. Beyond this, the path widens to a vehicle-wide track. Keep going through several smaller clearings, then go downhill with the track to the wood edge. Stay on the clear track with the wood to your right, until you reach a gate.
3. Go through the gate, continuing on the track, which now begins to ascend the hillside. Stay with it as it climbs to the top of the field close to the A64, at which point the track curves right.
4. Here, do not go through the kissing gate, but stay on the track as it curves further right, doubling back at a higher level to run alongside the hedge on the left. Keep beside the hedge to a gate going through to a grassy track, with woodland to the right and a hedge to the left. Continue for about 500 metres. Ignore a footpath going right, but 100 metres beyond this, look for a path junction marker post, partly obscured by vegetation to the right.
5. Here, take the path left (look for a prominent ash tree if you don’t spot the marker post) that runs along the edge of a field. At the field corner, turn right with a hedge to the left, continuing to a tarmac lane.
6. Turn right, but at a road junction in 150 metres, turn off left, still on tarmac (signed church). At a bend in a short distance, go right (church and information board about Huttons Ambo parish to the left) with houses at your left. Stay on the road as it bends sharply right again, ignoring a signed footpath to reach a T junction.
7. Turn left and walk on the roadside pavement downhill. At the bottom of the slope, turn left on a narrower tarmac lane, soon passing a large house at the left, behind a hedge. Continue on the lane until it reaches a T junction. Here, go ahead to a wooden gate marked by a footpath signpost.
8. Through the gate, follow the enclosed path to another gate. After this, keep ahead in the ridged field, staying close to the hedge on the left. Soon, the river comes into view along with a prominent three-way footpath signpost.
9. Reaching the signpost, turn right alongside the river, going through a gate (waymark). Pass under the railway bridge and forge ahead on the narrow path beside the river, soon arriving back at the parking area.
What To See
Low & High Hutton are secluded villages mainly with stone-built houses. The suspension bridge over the Derwent (accessed from the far end of the recommended parking spot) is an unusual feature that provides good views of the river. The woodland section has a mix of trees and a rich flora in spring and early summer. Wildlife spotted when the walk was checked include sand martins on the river, marble white butterflies in woodland clearings, and roe deer.
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, changes may have occurred since publication. Neither the walk author nor Your Local Link can accept any responsibility for errors or omissions.
Add a comment