Circular Walk from West Burton, past Aysgarth Falls and St Andrew’s Church

Easter Saturday and yet another glorious day, going to be even hotter than yesterday me thinks. Setting off for my usual morning walk I thought it would be nice to have a treat on the way round and stop for an ice cream at The Mill Race Tea Shop, they sell Yorkshire Dales Ice Cream, excellent choice! I knew it didn’t open until 10.30 so went a longer route than I would have normally perhaps taken by just going straight there and back!

Setting off from West Burton, leave the village and take the road to Aysgarth. There’s a footpath at the side of the road and then you can go into the field where the finger post indicates. Head for Eshington Bridge, over the bridge and take the little lane straight in front of you. Through the next stile, up the steep hill but do stop to take in the views, any excuse to catch your breath! Follow a well defined pathway and once at the junction of ways do not go through the stile but go left in the direction of Tom Bridge. I think it will be signed this, sorry, not looking at footpath signs as I know the route so well. Anyway, keep going through the fields, always over stiles until you come out onto the road.

Turn left here and just before the bridge take the footpath off to the right. Again a steep little climb, you can do it! Up and ever upwards to yet another stile, here there is lush pastureland, go across the field diagonally to the left, the way is probably well walked, it was this morning, keep going, ever onwards through the fields. I’ve seen so many lambs, seem to be lambs in every field, spring has definitely sprung!

You come out eventually in Aysgarth on the road to Thornton Rust. Right here, walk along the side of the village green and then when you get to the War Memorial and bus stop, both on the opposite side of the road take the road behind the War Memorial rather than continuing on the A684. Down the hill to the end of the road, veer to the right, through the stile, keeping to the field side head for the next stile, through here and follow for a few fields, you can’t go wrong, until you come out onto the road down to Aysgarth Falls opposite the church yard. Down the hill and there at last your destination, well mine at least this morning, and sustenance in the form of a delicious treat! No time to stop though, photos of the falls taken, so little water coming down, we really are getting desperate for rain, and to the right take the steps going up which bring you out into the church yard.

Do go and have a look in the church and read a little of its history, follow the path in front of the church door, up a steep hill coming out onto the A684. Cross over the road, it can be busy, through the stile and again follow the path to Eshington Bridge, from here retrace your steps to West Burton.

Lovely walk, wonderful views, and there can be plenty of stops on the way, just as you please. No more than five miles, again though, please wear appropriate clothing and footwear, take a drink and snacks and plan your route beforehand. Enjoy, I know I do, could say it’s one of my favourite walks on a beautiful sunny morning.