Walking in the North York Moors - Sutton Bank to High Paradise Farm.
The North York Moors is my local patch and I often think: ‘How lucky am I?’ as I stride out on another good walking route without having to travel any great distance.
Clearly the author and vet James Herriot (he of the All Creatures Great and Small fame for those not aware of him) thought pretty much the same. After all on a walk out from Sutton Bank he sat on the escarpment and bestowed the accolade of England’s Finest View on the panorama that was before him.
On the day I was out doing a bit of research for a day walk I can tell you that the view is a stunner; one of those that compels you to just sit for a while and appreciate all the loveliness and wish you were a painter or a poet.
As I stood looking out I could see the Vale of York and the Yorkshire Dales (even picking out the outline of Whernside, one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks.
However while I did dawdle a bit at this point, the promise of a wood fired pizza for lunch at a spot which is paradise (more about this in a bit!) led to me bustling on just in case they’d sold out by the time I got there.
So without more ado I continued on, strolling down through Garbutt Woods, a beautiful broad leaf woodland which leads to Gormire Lake. The route kind of sums up why the North York Moors National Park is so much more than just the moors as it showcases the woodland and hidden dales (the only thing missing was the great coastline that lies at the other side of the National Park).
At the picture postcard hamlet of Boltby we started our climb back up to the top of the Sutton Bank. I say climb but actually it is a gently winding path upwards first passing Low Paradise farm before reaching the top and meeting up with the Cleveland Way, the National Park’s flagship long distance National Trail.
Climb over, my stomach reminds me of the pizza promise and with all the dignity of a drooling Labrador I charge into the High Paradise Tearooms, a fantastic courtyard that can only be reached on two wheels, two feet or four hooves.
You’ll be glad to know that the pizza didn’t disappoint and as we sat basking in the Yorkshire sunshine there was a passing resemblance to a rustic Italian farmhouse setting but alas without a glass of vino in-hand.
Probably a good job though as walking after wine is never a good idea, particularly as we still had four miles to go, albeit along a gentle path that again tracks the Cleveland Way National Trail.
This stretch of the route might be straightforward walking but it allows you to look up and appreciate the great views that accompany you all the way back to the Sutton Bank Visitor Centre.
At the end of 12 miles and enjoying a cheeky slice of cake I reflected that the day was one of those ‘reet grand’ days out in the North York Moors National Park.
Gareth x
If you want to experience this fine view, fantastic pizza and a social walk join our “England’s Finest View - North York Moors day walk”.
