Stage 8

This stage begins at Rievaulx Abbey and ends at St Chad's Church, Sproxton

Walk Instructions

Start: Rievaulx Abbey
YO62 5LB What3Words mills.responds.hogs OS Grid reference 516 810
Distance- 7.5 miles Stage 8 of a 9 stage 41 mile trail
Grade: Moderate
USE THE OS MAP LINK St Aelred’s Pilgrim Trail Stage 8
Photos relate to * in text.

1

From Rievaulx Abbey turn left and walk with the River Rye on your right along the road until you reach Rievaulx Bridge. Cross the bridge and carry on along the road for approximately 500 yards till you reach a track going left just past a cottage. * Take this track.

2

At the signpost take the track to the right. After a quarter of a mile there is a split in the path- carry straight on. After another quarter of a mile go through the gate on the left and off the track with a bridleway sign. *

3

Your path now goes through gorse bushes and can be overgrown at certain times of the year.. Take the path through the wooden gate straight ahead. The path heads for a clump of trees ahead of you. * Head just to the right of the trees ahead of you. Follow this path through 2 fields heading for the farm buildings which are beside the A170. Your route is clearly marked and you come out through a gate on to the A170. Cross this with care and look to the right for a footpath sign in approximately 50 meters.

4

Turn left into the wood. *After 150 yards you come to a crossroads of paths and you turn left. After approximately half a mile you will meet the road from the A170 to Wass. Turn left here to join the road to Oswaldkirk and turn right to follow it along the wide verge for just over a mile until you pass Studfold Lodges on your right.

5

Shortly after this take the next turn into the woods on the left side of the road. * There are green signs on the fence at either side of the turn. Go straight ahead until you come to a clearing in the wood with a forestry hut. Carry on about 400 metres to a firmer track crossing your path and here turn left. Turn right at the bridleway sign.

6

Carry on through the middle of Holly Bower Farm and continue on the farm track heading for Sproxton. The track meets the road between Hemsley and Hovingham. Turn left and you will see St Chad’s Church, Sproxton ahead of you on the right hand side of the road. This road is busy so take care to stick to the grass verge.

St Chad's Church, Sproxton