Jo’s Monday walk : Egton Bridge

This isn't actually Egton Bridge, but isn't it pretty?

This isn’t actually Egton Bridge, but it is a bridge in Egton, and a very pretty one!

And just beyond it lie two lovely sequences of stepping stones.  But I’m getting ahead of myself! My walk today is for the physically fit among you but, if you like, I’ll do the hard part and you can join in on the flat.  How does that sound?

We begin at the Beggar’s Bridge, just outside the village of Glaisdale, on the River Esk.  It was my intention to walk you up into the village for a look around, but one of us had the good idea to follow the river in the direction of Egton Bridge.  It looked fine on the map, so who was I to argue?

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It's a distinctive looking bridge, but not in use any more

It’s a distinctive looking bridge, but not in use any more

Beggar’s Bridge has a tale to tell.  An inscription on the bridge suggests that it was built in 1619. Thomas Ferries, the son of a moorland farmer, used to ford the River Esk to court his young lady, Agnes.  The lady’s father did not consider him a suitable match for his daughter, so Thomas resolved to seek his fortune at sea.  With the river in spate, he was sadly unable to cross over to kiss his sweetheart goodbye.  Returning a wealthy man, Thomas of course married his Agnes, and, quite naturally, built a bridge on the very spot.

Today the crossing would have resulted in merely damp feet

Today the crossing would have resulted in merely damp feet

‘A tale of trods and bridges’.  Wouldn’t that have made a great post title?  I’m tempted to change it, but I’m already well into my stride. In an uphill direction, unfortunately!  This is no path that idles beside the river.  I should have been warned when I saw this stone.

A message, do you suppose?

A message, do you suppose?

Part of this walk follows an ancient pathway, paved with stone slabs, know as ‘trods’.  They are common throughout the York Moors National Park, and the oldest date back to medieval times, when monks traveled extensively hereabouts.  The path I am taking, through East Arncliffe Wood, is known locally as ‘Monk’s Trod’.  Those monks must have had much stronger legs than me!

Onwards and upwards!

Onwards and upwards!

Up I trod, thanking my lucky stars that there hadn’t been much rain to render the trods slippy. Ferns tickle my calves and a hint of honeysuckle tickles my nose.  In no time at all the river is far below, and I am surrounded by dense green.

A tickle of honeysuckle
And one of fern
And look what I found, in a clearing!
An ancient tribute to man’s best friend

Beyond the trods the path continues to wind and dip through the woods.  I can hear the whine and clunk of loggers, striving to keep the forest in check.  Just as I am starting to tire, the woods part and I am out on a country lane.  I can’t say I’m sorry.  It’s now just a case of rolling down into the village of Egton Bridge, past another ford, and a cottage or two.  A good time to join me!

Nearby the ford
Speaks for itself!
And it’s pretty woodshed
I spot this promising sight over the hedge

On the edge of the village I spot this promising sight over the hedge

But then this sign catches my eye

But then a sign catches my eye

You know what happens next, don’t you?  The highlight of the walk for me.  I didn’t even know that there were stepping stones at Egton Bridge, but my good friend Jude remarked that she had stayed there when her boys were small.  She remembered some stepping stones, but thought they might have been the ones I featured in my Lealholm walk.  To my great delight, I found not just one set of stepping stones, but two.

The first stepping stones, in dappled shade

The first stepping stones, in dappled shade

And the second set

And the second set

And a few toadstools

With a few colourful toadstools

And these beautiful phlox alongside a small lock gate

And these beautiful phlox, alongside a small lock gate

After a wander around the pretty village, I’m beckoned by the sunny benches outside the Horseshoe Hotel.  It seems like a good time to pause for food, before tackling the route back to Glaisdale.  There’s a Specials board beside the bar, and the sandwiches come with wonderful homemade wedges.  The river chatters along in the background.

Before leaving Egton Bridge, I’m drawn to the garden at St. Hedda’s Church, and the memorial shrine to Father Nicholas Postgate.  A Catholic priest, he was executed at York in 1679 for his work in the priesthood, on the Moors.

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Then I’m happy to retrace my path over the stepping stones, and follow the River Esk out of the village.  The beatific scene lulls me into a false sense of security.  A vintage car tootles past.  I fail to realise that an uphill clamber lies ahead.

This chap says nothing!
I could have lingered
But it’s time to leave the river and climb

A well disguised footpath leads off to the left, almost at the top of the bank, and steeply up to a stile.  Through the woods, there’s a field or two to cross, but then it’s all downhill.

And finally I'm within sight of the Beggar's Bridge

And finally the Beggar’s Bridge is back in sight!

Details of my walk can be found on this link which includes a free downloadable map.  It’s a 5 mile circular and you’ll be just in time for the Gooseberry Show at Egton Bridge if you hurry.  It takes place on the first Tuesday in August every year.

I hope you enjoyed the walk (especially my uphill bits), and that you’ll stay for coffee and a read.

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Many thanks for all your support.  Last week was a bumper week for shares, but it’s a little less strenuous this week.  I’d love you to join me, whenever you feel like taking a stroll.  Details are on the logo above and my Jo’s Monday walk page.  Feet up, and here we go!

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Sample the delights of Corsica with Drake.  I wish I could!

Simplicity isn’t bad at all

Getting one of your 5 ‘e’s or a little exercise?  Many thanks, Anabel!

The Dunmore Pineapple

The foodies among you will LOVE this one from Junk Boat Travels :

Weekend cooking Union Station

Share Elisa’s delicious flower photography.  What a privilege!  Healthy too!

Back to the garden, and a Monday Walk

You all know Jude’s an advocate for Cornwall.  Have a look and see why:

On the Edge

Boats, reflections, blue sky… you have to know I’m in heaven with this one.  Thanks, Ruth!

Franklin on the Huon River

And if, as here, it’s raining and you have time on your hands, why not join the folks at Monday Escapes?  I met some lovely people there last week.  Happy walking all!  See you next week.

201 comments

  1. Pingback: Walking in Tower Hill | Art and Life

  2. lovely narration Jo as I followed your walk with its ups and downs – wonderful surprises on the way too p.s. river paths are rarely for idlers especially in regions north of Watford! pps. south of you this week on my Peak walk

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    1. Thanks a lot, Laura 🙂 It was a walk I never really meant to do as we were supposed to be heading towards Lealholm from Glaisdale, to compliment the walk I did there the other week. But all’s well that ends well 🙂

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      1. those accidental walks are often the best! – once followed Thames from St Margaret’s only to discover I was pursuing the ‘New River’ – but gave me the chance to first join up with your restless Mondays 🙂

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  7. I opened up to find my header was back to default too. I checked forums and they were overflowing with bloggers fuming and angst. Those poor WP “happiness” engineers had been at it again. But then I went away to cook dinner and when I came back all was back to normal.
    Anyway Jo this walk is a stunner. I noticed how those trods all had a distinct dip in the middle, worn, no doubt, by the millions of feet that had tramped over the trods down the ages. Lovely summery photos, I’m getting very nostalgic for good old blighty…

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    1. A trip to the UK a possibility, Pauline? I know where there are lots of trods- I just didn’t have a name for them before. 🙂
      Thanks, darlin’! My Header’s still AWOL but I haven’t the patience to tinker. Lots of other things to do, but not walking today. Drip! Drop! Drip! 🙂

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      1. I wish Jo, it is on my dream list….Went to see movie “Mr Holmes” today and the scenery and photography was incredible, I drooled over it. The story line and acting was typically good English, understated but believable. It had me feeling quite nostalgic…

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    2. The Pomme fairy magic worked! Header’s back 🙂 Not actually the one I wanted because I’ve accidentally deleted that while fiddling about. Beggars (bridge?) can’t be chosers 🙂 Thank you Fairy Pomme!

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  9. What is it about stepping stones? I love them too! That was a nice find for you at the end of your walk. I love a pretty bridge, so does Monkey! We love watching the river flow past, it can be so mesmerising. The tale of Beggar’s bridge is a lovely one. I’m glad Agnes waited!

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  10. That looks a brilliant walk. I love the bridge and the story about it. Seems a really beautiful part of the country. The photos are supberb.

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    1. Hi Colin! 🙂 I’m itching to get back down there because the heather’s out. Fabulous! But maybe not in today’s heavy rain 🙂 Thanks for your company!

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      1. yes it is raining here too. It hasn’t been the best summer this year, but hopefully August will be better 🙂

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      2. We’ve had very little rain so I can’t complain. August sees me off down to Bristol for the hot air balloons so I hope it’s fine for that. You got any plans? 🙂

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    1. Lots of goodies coming in already this week! Thank you very much, Violet 🙂 I saw you on Jude’s benches yesterday and meant to come for a look. I’ll make it today! 🙂 Pouring right now so definitely not the weather for trods.

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  12. A beautiful post Jo. So many treasures: the bridges, the stepping stones, the trods, the dapples, the toadstools, the stories and your writing. I should have walked the uphill bits with you – no exercise for too long, except of my blogging finger.

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    1. I seem to remember Killing Nanny Meg 🙂 It’s a fabulous area, Meg. If you ever come to Yorkshire come when the heather’s in bloom. Paradise! Thank you for your kind words, hon. 🙂

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  14. Lovely walk. We had a great weekend in Glaisdale last year and did a walk from the Beggar’s Bridge, but I don’t remember stepping stones so it can’t have been that one. I’ve pinged my latest over to you and see it has arrived, hope you approve.

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    1. I’m sure I will, Anabel, thanks! I’m just munching toast and cursing WP. Nothing new there then 🙂 Yes, I think there are a couple of routes from the Beggar’s Bridge. My links take you to some alternatives.

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      1. Yes, I noticed after reading your comments that my header has disappeared too. Will have to hope they fix it as I’m not in a place with good access at the moment (but am racking up more walks for you!)

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  15. Pingback: A walk in shadow of history | Le Drake Noir
  16. Pingback: Torwood Castle and Tappoch Broch – Anabel's Travel Blog

  19. Jo, your walks get better by the week! I love the lonely bench in the clearing and the stepping stones. But I am missing your customary cake treat at the end. Are you on a diet?

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    1. Sorry, Madhu! I was hot and thirsty so I settled for half of Guinness 🙂 Mick had a sarnie, which looked great, but nobody at the tables nearby had dessert 😦 Must try harder! Thank you 🙂

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    1. Morning Andrew! 🙂 Thank you. Not much walking going on here because it’s pouring. You picked the right week. 🙂
      I’m having technical troubles this morning. Can’t get the Header to appear at all. Any ideas?

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      1. Seems to be a common problem Jo. More tinkering I guess.
        We were lucky with the weather, a little bit of rain but mostly sunny and fine – shirt sleeves weather! It was the same in Northern Ireland in June, my luck is bound to run out soon!

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      2. Certainly some tinkering going on. My background colour has reverted to the default black and I am not able to change it back at all!

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