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7. A circular walk in The Howardian Hills from Whitwell-on-the-Hill to the village of Crambe, the River Derwent and on to Kirkham Priory (Part 1)
The walk begins at the tiny hamlet of Whitwell-on-the-Hill by the church of St John Evangelist near the old schoolhouse and Manor House. and after crossing the busy A64 Scarborough-York Road you head off across the fields and down the quiet lanes towards the very 'non-tourist' quiet village of Crambe.
Many wild flowers in the hedgerows and meadows including wood anemone and many species of wild grasses also grow in the meadows and by the hedgerows of the lanes you wander along to reach Crambe. A delight for all walkers of classic the English countryside.
Eventually ion the village of Crambe you find St Michael's Norman Church. Such churches are well worth visiting by any visitor whether touring on foot, cycle or by car, so PLEASE leave a donation to help the church, i.e. by the guide book for a small sum of money, it costs considerable sums of money to keep these fine old English churches in 'good condition'
The church dates from the 11th century and is built from local sandstone, gritstone and some reused Roman masonry. There is the remains of a medieval mass dial on the south wall, i.e. a sundial with the times for mass marked on as well as the hours. Some of the 13th century windows survive and the tower is 15th century.
Looking down the nave, with the 18th century Georgian organ on the right. The 11th century chancel arch is quite 'roughly' built and unusually wide.
The font is late 12th century and the square bowl is highly decorated and standing on four carved shafts with waterleaf capitals.
The Georgian organ of ~1790 and began life in Rockland St Mary Church in Norfolk and after several moves arrived in St Michael's Church Crambe in 1962. It is has since been fully restored and a most historic treasured possession. On the right, a piscina in the porch? (not mentioned in guidebook?)
The gently rolling Howardian Hills and tracks across farmland that have a medieval feel to them
A line of fine old oak trees near Rider Lane Farm.
Poppies growing alongside the grain before descending down to the River Derwent near Howsham Hall
A snippet' of the older buildings of Howsham Hall (1610), now a private boarding school, viewed from the banks of the River Derwent. Much of the walk from now on follows the 'left' bank of the River Derwent.
* The town of Malton and the Howardian Hills are in 'God's Own County' of North Yorkshire. A beautiful area for walking and relaxing holidays and plenty of attractions for all tourists * * page updated July 20th 2007, EMAIL Phil Brown, images-photographs-pictures © Dr W P Brown 2007 |
