Jo’s Monday walk : Lealholm to Glaisdale

Did you miss the Duck Race?

Did you miss the Duck Race?

I try for variety in my walks but this week it took a great effort of will not to drag you back to the seaside!  As we’re in that balmy British time of year (no, I didn’t say barmy, but I could well have done) when the villages all have their shows, I thought we should head for Yorkshire.  As luck would have it, we do seem to be having a Summertime this year, so let’s make the most of it. Which brings me to Lealholm and the Duck Race.

Now I feel a bit of a fraud, because I’ve never actually witnessed the Duck Race.  To be honest, I prefer the village peaceful, as it is in the above shot, taken the week before.  Timing’s the thing, isn’t it?  On the church notice board, I saw that I had also missed some ‘Open’ gardens at Glaisdale.   I guess I need a year planner.  Never mind- I can compensate with Poet’s Cottage, the garden centre at Lealholm.  Shall we start there?

How about this for a peony?

How about this for a peony?

Central to the village and on the banks of the River Esk, many people come to Lealholm purely to visit this beautifully laid out shrubbery and plant centre.  Named for John Castillo, a poet and lay preacher, the site was previously home to a paper mill.  You may have arrived by train, but more likely by car, and it’s just a short downhill stroll from the parking to Poet’s Cottage.

As usual, click on any photo to open the galleries

A path threads between the shrubs
flowers
And foliage
Hot yellows
Cool greens
And even an orchid or two
Best of all, truly luscious clematis

Best of all, truly luscious clematis

The gardeners among you satisfied, it’s time to visit Lealholm’s other main attraction- the stepping stones.  Young and old seem to delight in these, and on a sunny day much hand holding and teetering goes on.  It’s a social occasion for all the family and blankets are spread, ready to lounge with a picnic.

Paddling’s allowed for ‘big sis’
Slippery when wet?
Gone fishing!

I was quite surprised to learn from Wikipedia that a settlement at Lealholm can be traced all the way back to the Domesday Book of 1086.  It has always been a traditional farming community, prosperity developing because it provided a convenient crossing place on the River Esk.

The village sits at the bottom of a glacial U-shaped valley, Crunkly Ghyll.  A fording point existed beside the Board Inn, a coaching inn which dates back to 18th century.  Today children wade and ducks paddle in the shadow of the 17th century arched bridge.  The name Lealholm appears to derive from the Old English for a place of willow trees.  No small part of its charm are the sheep, ambling amicably on the village green.

View from the top of the village

View from the top of the village, over Crunkly Ghyll

St. James the Greater Church
The railway station, high above the village
Local map

Lealholm lies on the Esk Valley Railway Line, which runs from Middlesbrough to Whitby, a distance of 35 miles.  With a little careful planning you can enjoy a day out on the railway, and even fit in a walk between stations.

From beside the bridge, a footpath follows the course of the River Esk towards Glaisdale village, 2 miles away.  The river twists and squirms its way through the valley.  There’s nothing I like better than the company of a river on my walks.

Strangely, this sat in a field by the river!
With just a few sheep for company
And the occasional farmhouse
The river idles below us
Its banks expanding and contracting
With a wealth of wild flowers
We pass below the railway embankment
And beside a humped back bridge
With evidence of another ford
And I find, in the long grass, another jewel of an orchid

In theory you could catch the train back from Glaisdale, or you could simply retrace your steps.  I hope to show you a little of Glaisdale village and the Beggar’s Bridge in another post.  In the meantime, I’m sure you could be tempted to a slice of delicious cake from Beck View Tea Room, or even one of the ‘specials’ from The Board Inn.  You must have earned it by now.

And, should you be wondering, yes, they do tip a heap of yellow plastic ducks into the river.  If you have one of the fastest ducks you can win a prize, but the event is to raise money for charity.

A date for next year's diary?

A date for next year’s diary?

walking logo

Lots of walks to share again this week, and a huge thank you to everybody for taking the time both to contribute and to read.  Details of how to take part can be found on my Jo’s Monday walk page or on the logo above.  I’ve had 2 cups of coffee already this morning!

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Anabel was the first to share this week!  Expect a bench or two.

River Earn and Laggan Hill

Botanic Gardens do vary! Pauline was disappointed in this and I can see why :

A walk in a Botanic garden

Jude is a lady who never disappoints! Take a look at some great Quoit photos!

A walk in the past

Nobody out there sees the world quite like Drake!  Ducks are so endearing :

Above not only the water

More water, boats and a beautiful rainbow, from Ruth :

A walk around Sullivan’s Cove, Hobart

Canal restoration is a subject that I love.  Even in black and white, this is exceptionally beautiful!

Show me the Wey

I like surprises!  This is a really nice one from Violet Sky :

A nice place to live

Starting in the rain, with Geoff… well, it is English Summertime!

Eastbourne to Alfriston and back- a walk of two halves

Something a little unusual for you now.  Thanks a lot, Jaspa!

Three Rivers Petroglyphs, New Mexico

Rosemay is currently in Perth, but she has a lovely London-based daughter :

On the trail of Notting Hill : Portobello Road markets

Exotic and beautiful!   A world I will never know except through Lisa’s eyes :

Vanua Balavu: Walking the Nabavatu Plantation

And more from the Southern Hemisphere.  Some fond memories with Jill :

Come with me along historic Marine Parade, Napier

Let’s round it all off with a bit of drama!

Killing Nanny Meg

I hope you have time to visit all the walks.  Maybe pop back later?  Thanks again everybody, and see you next week.

109 comments

  1. Wow…what a walk..perhaps your best one ever. I love the scenic spots you highlighted….and even the graveyard seems to be perfectly placed. It doesn’t get much better than this I think!

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  2. I think this is one of my favourite walks with you. Starting with that gorgeous peony ‘bowl of beauty’ I think, then taking me to the garden centre where I drooled for ages over the plants and the garden and then for a walk in a most delightful English village. Now I am having pangs about Yorkshire and also wondering if I have been to Lealholm. I took my boys to a place with stepping stones when up in Runswick Bay and I see it is close to Egmont Bridge where we did do a circular walk. I wonder if it is the same place? Anyway thank you for a delightful stroll Jo. What would I do without you 🙂

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  9. Pingback: Cairnpapple Hill – Anabel's Travel Blog

  10. I’ve never seen a duck race either Jo…not sure why, I see signs for them but we never seem to be there at the right time! What a deligthful village walk…and such lovely weather. Barmy, balmy, never mind, we have our beautiful English countryside and so much to be grateful for. Oh I do love our British summers and I love this Monday morning post. Thank you Jo 🙂

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  11. Oh I’ve always wanted to see a duck race. What a shame you didn’t catch it but another reason to visit again. Wonderful shots of a typical English village – Glaisdale looks so pretty.

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  13. Lovely walk, Jo. Such a scenic one this time round, summer weather on show and blue skies above. I’m sure you’ll witness the Duck Race at some point…and on the way have a decadent slice of cake from the Tea Rom 😉

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  19. The sign of summer, duck races and streams and not to forget tea rooms, I love tea rooms, just have to stop for a cream tea… and those lovely unusual names.. down here in Dorset are equal to any.. but Crunkly Gyll..

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  20. Crunkly Ghyll indeed. If you’d just written those two words, the post would have been worth while. But there was a lot more – beautiful flowers and the extreme cunning with which you avoided naming them; is that an owl on the church tower?; that beautiful clematis; and the orchid header that keeps giving pleasure. I think I’d have chosen to miss the duck races too, although I’d be willing to give a donation!

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    1. You sussed me! But naming flowers is Jude’s department, isn’t it? Musn’t trespass (and get it wrong 🙂 ) Isn’t that just the BEST name! I love it too 🙂 The owl- could well be… I was concentrating on getting the shot upright and the interesting window.
      The header I meant to change, but I seemed to take an inordinate time this week, in spite of being up at half past 5! I just needed to press Publish. I may yet change it 🙂 Thank you for all your appreciation, Meg. Sending a warm hug!

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