Welburn and Castle Howard
Starting from the Howardian Hills village of Welburn, this walk goes ‘around the back’ of Castle Howard, passing close by some of the estate’s notable monuments — including the Temple of the Four Winds, the Mausoleum and the Pyramid. The mix of farm and woodland provides a varied habitat for a range of wildlife including ravens, spotted for the first time in the York area by the Wanderer.
Is This Walk For Me?
Although it isn’t too long, this walk does cover some undulating terrain. The climbs are relatively gentle, but one not far from the start is steep. The entire walk is away from busy trafficked roads and much of it is on tracks with a good surface. However, there are several footpath stretches where the conditions can be muddy and slippery. There are also a few short sections where forging through vegetation is necessary. The route is mainly well signed. There are no stiles.
Getting There
The starting point is the Crown and Cushion pub in Welburn. Considerate roadside parking is available on the village street.
Welburn is 13½ miles from York via the A64, turn left shortly after Whitwell-on-the Hill to arrive. There are two Castleline buses to the Crown and Cushion in Welburn from York every morning except Sunday, with two return journeys in the afternoon. It is also possible to get the frequent Coastliner buses that stop on the A64 and walk to the village, however this adds a one-mile trek to the start point.
Refreshments
Welburn has the Crown and Cushion pub and Dogh bakery and café, both are open daily.
What To See
As well as the iconic monuments of Castle Howard, this route crosses well-cared-for countryside. There are shallow valleys with streams and woodland — some of it newly planted with a mix of trees, and rougher areas that benefit wildlife. There are also views over the Howardian Hills, across the Derwent Valley and the Wolds.
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1. With the pub behind you, go left along the village street. As the houses end just before a 40mph sign, go left through a gate and head diagonally across the field to a hedge corner. Here, go right alongside the hedge. Where this ends, go half-left over a grassy area towards a signpost. Bear left in 40 metres without turning completely to the left, instead turn right (signed Huttons Ambo) on a less obvious path. Descend through a boggy area with tall vegetation to a gate. Keep going at first on a boardwalk to reach a bridge over a stream. Go over and keep ahead into the open area. Keep to its left edge as you climb the slope. At the top, keep ahead on a grass track which will become enclosed as you reach buildings.
2. Keeping the main buildings to the right, go left in front of a ruined building (signed High Gaterley). Cross the field to a gate/hedge gap. Go through and walk ahead on the right-hand side of the hedge in front of you. In about 100 metres, turn right over the field towards a pylon. In the next large field head slightly right (small sign on post) exiting over a bridge, follow the path uphill where you’ll notice a scrubby area to the left. Pass through a gate to continue uphill and pass through two further gates with buildings to the left, where you’ll reach a signpost at a track.
3. Turn left on the surfaced track. When you reach a signpost to Low Gaterley curve left. Stay on that track, heading left after the buildings, before almost immediately turning right onto tarmac. Near the top of a rise in the path, take the signed path right (Coneysthorpe) on a gravel track. Soon you’ll come across some metal barns, when you do turn left (yellow arrow) on a track between railings. Now stay on this track as it crosses a stream, keep to the track as it turns left and crosses a few streams, eventually reaching a house and some barns. Follow the track through the farm buildings, keeping on it at a signpost into trees. Cross another stream and continue with a large grassy area to the right. Ignore a track left. About 150 metres beyond this, by some veteran oak trees, take the path left into trees signed Welburn.
4. Continue on this narrow, muddy and somewhat overgrown path until you meet a track. Turn right to reach a white gate — go through and continue by the wall but soon veer away from it to the left to reach a signpost in a dip. Now ascend the grassy hillside to the building (Temple of the Four Winds) visible on the brow. As you get near to the temple, go left down the grassy slope to the ornate bridge.
5. Cross the bridge and continue on the track beyond it to reach a tarred road. Turn left initially, but in 25 metres go right to climb up between two open fields. Continue in this direction until you enter some woodland, follow the woodland downhill at a junction (signed Welburn). Go over a wooden bridge and leave the woodland at a gate. Continue ahead on a track between open fields. Keep ahead at a path crossing towards Welburn as it drops down into a shallow dip. Join a tarmac drive and reach the main street. Finally, turn right to return to the pub.
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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