Route: Thixendale
Area: East Yorkshire
Date of walk: 13th March 2016
Walkers: Andrew
Distance: 4.3 miles
Ascent: 500 feet
Weather: foggy most of the time
As I drove over to Thixendale the countryside was shrouded in thick fog, but as I approached the village it cleared a little, giving cause for optimism – ill founded as it turned out
Starting from the village of Thixendale I joined the Yorkshire Wolds Way, walking across Cow Wold and up Vessey Hill to reach a path at the top of the wold. The sun was trying to break through the mist and there were tantalising glimpses of blue sky but for the most part visibility was very limited. This was a particular shame, as the full extent of the rolling chalk countryside needs to be seen to appreciate its beauty
I joined another long distance path, the Chalkland Way, to start the return leg to Thixendale. The last part of this section along Court Dale and Water Dale was lovely in improved visibility
It was an enjoyable walk despite the fact that most of the scenery was absent without leave, and I even managed to grab a red squirrel photo at the end – read on…
For other walks here, visit my Find Walks page and enter the name in the ‘Search site’ box
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
St Mary’s Church Thixendale at the start of today’s walk
Walking out of the village
I turn off along the Yorkshire Wolds Way on the edge of the village
Walking up Cow Wold
A tantalising glimpse of the dale below
It would be hard to get lost on the Wolds Way - it’s superbly waymarked throughout
Chalk farmland - there were no views on this section of the walk thanks to the mist
Start of the descent from Cow Wold
Vessey Pasture Dale
Looking back as I climb out of the dale
Snowdrops in North Plantation
Looking into Deep Dale as I leave the Wolds Way to start the return leg
On the Centenary Way now
I didn’t follow this track, but it caught my eye
Heading down towards Court Dale
Looking down to Honey Dale and Back Dale as I follow a narrow path above Court Dale
The path above Court Dale
The path descends gently into the Court Dale - this is looking back
Court Dale leads into Water Dale, with Thixendale beyond
Thixendale ahead, and the end of a lovely walk despite the limited visibility most of the time
The gallery and studio of Robert Fuller, one of Britain’s foremost wildlife artists, is nearby by and I called in on the way home. This is a must for anyone in the area
I wasn’t expecting to be able to sign off with the customary red squirrel photos. Wonderful!
