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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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

  7. Hello Jo, what a glorious walk! Although you went uphill, your narrative is so enticing and relaxing! The photos are blissful and make me want to join you.
    You have so much beauty around you and we are lucky for you share it with us. Thanks!
    Have a wonderful week.
    Cheers,
    Lucile

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  8. A like is not enough for your post walk Jo it is so pleasing.
    I love photos of pathways they remind me of the path I am on.
    Stone bridges trods as Pauline calls stepping stones, moss and toad stools
    Then you do not forget to add in a lonely little yellow flower most people would overlook.
    That is what I find so delightful on your walks the little gifts from nature we can at times fail to appreciate.

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    1. People like yourself keeping me company along the way tends to focus my attention, Jack, but there is so much joy to be found. You just have to look. 🙂 Thanks very much for your company and enthusiasm.

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  10. Never mind their legs, those monks had strong arms lugging those trods up there, and don’t they look wonderful? And the stepping stones, I wish i could hop across, we don’t seem to have many down around here. It looks like the Beggars bridge will be reclaimed by nature eventually, but I hope its walked enough to keep a tiny way over. Yes, I’m very glad you did that climb uphill so that I didn’t have to, cheers hon x:-)x

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    1. It’s popular walking territory up here, Gilly, so I think the Beggar’s Bridge will last a while yet. So much rain this last 36 hours though that it will definitely be shrouded in green and the river burbling! Hugs, darlin’ 🙂

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  11. Less than 8 km sounds reasonable especially if the sun isn’t blasting. I’m back (hardly). It’s good to see that things are running smoothly here even though you are stepping stones.

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      1. 😀 how kind of you, Jo 🙂 It was a relaxing time; I’m numbed by mosquito bites and for being soaked in too salty water for a huge amount of time 😀 To remind you that this Thursday there is the “last minute” guest challenge with the theme “gold inside”. I’ve just seen his photos – yummy 🙂

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      2. Caramba! I’m following up on Restoration. You might have seen my link to you from the garden at Seaton Delaval last Thursday. There was no subject for the Special so I took the initiative. 🙂 I’ll link, of course, and look forward to a bit of gold. 🙂

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      4. No- I wasn’t expecting you to see it till you returned, Paula, and I wouldn’t have mentioned it if you hadn’t commented about Thursday Special. Hugs, darlin’. Hope you’re rested as well as itchy! 🙂

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  12. I really enjoyed that walk with some of my favourite things; a walk in the woods, a little hump bridge and stepping stones (what is it about stepping stones) and a story of love requited! Thanks Jo

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  17. This is the one! I remember the bridge and the trods! I may even have some photos of them. And I appreciate the benches – I certainly won’t have taken photos of those then! Actually it must have been 20 years ago when we were there. Easter 1995 just before my daughter left for South Africa.

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    1. Knew it must be 🙂 I have big bad trolls on the brain this morning. Ever since someone mentioned fairytale. Or is it the weather? Glad to have brought back memories, Jude. Root those photos out!

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      5. BTW I think your beautiful ‘phlox’ photo might actually be some type of bellflower (campanula moesiaca). I saw some in one of our local gardens and it took me a while to ID it. It is absolutely stunning and I love your image. The petals look almost fake – like a silk imitation.

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  18. That 5 mile walk would take me a half day if I stop at every beautiful sights of which there are plenty here. Thanks for taking us with you.

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  20. That Thomas must have been a good catch after all, Jo! 😀

    The entire scene reminds me of a children’s fairy-tale with the woods and the bridges and stepping stones. What a very pretty walk 😀

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