This is a walk of two halves. The first section from Tadcaster follows the River Wharfe upstream to the small village of Newton Kyme. It then leaves the river using quiet roads to ascend to higher ground before following bridleways through farmland to return to the town.
Time
3 hours,
Distance
6¼ miles.
Is This Walk For Me?
At just over six miles and with no steep hills this is a relatively easy walk. Paths are in generally good condition and the route should be fairly easy to follow. Some wet ground may be encountered on the riverside section and the walk will not be possible when the river is in flood. There is a slightly tricky short riverside stretch at Direction Point 2 where care needs to be taken. The country roads followed carry very little traffic. There are no stiles. Cattle may be encountered in riverside fields although electric fences often separate them from the riverside path.
Getting There
The easiest starting point is Tadcaster where free parking is available at the bus station. It is also possible to start from Newton Kyme where limited roadside parking is possible near the church. Tadcaster is about 12 miles from York using the A64. There is a half hourly (hourly on Sunday) bus service (Coastliner 840 or 843) between York (Stonebow and railway station) and Tadcaster bus station.
Refreshments
Plenty of pubs and a few cafes in Tadcaster. There are no other opportunities on route.
Directions
1/Leaving the bus station/carpark cross the road and turn left to go over the river on the bridge. Immediately over the river turn right to go over a few cobbles then follow the tarmac path with houses left to reach the riverbank. Now follow the river, passing the church to the left. Where the tarmac ends keep ahead passing the weir then going under the viaduct. Keep going until a small building appears near the river. Head for this (don’t veer left up a slope) then continue under a stone arch keeping close to the river.
2/ Arriving at a bridge over a ditch, cross and go right still following the riverside path. Pass under power lines keeping close to the river as it bends and twists. Go through two kissing gates either side of a bridge over a ditch, continuing to eventually reach a wooden kissing gate. Here continue by the riverside on a fainter path until a footpath sign. Here turn left as directed alongside trees. Ignore a barbed wire metal gate to continue with a wall away to the right following a path through grass to a large tree beneath which is a gate. Through this follow the fenced path, soon passing Newton Kyme church and hall, to reach a gate and a tarmac road.
3/ Turn left on the road. At the triangle junction keep ahead, remaining ahead at the next junction in 30 metres rather than turning right into Main Street. Keep going on the quiet road which eventually bends left and reaches a main road at a staggered crossroads.
4/ Cross the main road and take the minor road opposite. Go under an old railway bridge to a T-junction. Turn left and follow the quiet tarmac road as it gradually goes uphill.
5/ After about 1,000 metres, as the road steepens look for a bridleway sign on the left (this is immediately after a more noticeable earth track at a hedge gap on the left). Follow the grassy hedged bridleway. Where this meets the earth track, keep ahead, remaining ahead when the earth tractor track goes left downhill. Keep going soon with woodland left to arrive at houses.
6/ Here, the easiest option is to follow the tarmac and keep all the houses to the right. Pass Smaws House then keep going through a metal gate to pass High Barn. Beyond, keep on the clear route downhill. Go under pylons continuing to a main road.
7/ Cross the road and turn left on the pavement. Continue into Tadcaster following a sign to town centre at a junction then crossing a road to the right at traffic lights and passing John Smith’s Brewery. Remain on Tadcaster’s main street eventually arriving back at the bridge, over which is the bus station/carpark starting point.
What To See
Despite a slightly run down feel, Tadcaster has some interesting architecture including the church, some of the brewery buildings, the viaduct and shops and houses in the older streets. Newton Kyme has a church dating from the 12th century and the Hall dating from the 18th century. The riverside section makes for pleasant walking with the possibility of spotting riparian wildlife. There are good views north and westward from the higher ground after Newton Kyme.
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.
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