NORTH YORKSHIRE - North Grimston

'Settrington at Easter'

Fact File

Distance	12km (7½ miles)
Time	4 hours
Map	OS Explorer 300
Start/Parking	North Grimston
Terrain	Undulating field paths and bridleways. One steep climb
nearest Town	Malton
Refreshments	Pub at North Grimston
Toilets
Public Transport	Acklams 136 Driffield - Malton (Mon & Fri only)
Suitable for	all
Stiles	6

1. (Start) At a bend on the B1248 road just east of the church in North Grimston, a Centenary Way sign points the way towards Settrington. The path accompanies Settrington Beck as it meanders through meadows for about 2km (1½ miles), passing to the left of Bellmanear Farm. At Kirk Hill farm the path crosses the beck to join the access road. Follow this road left, away from the farm, back over the beck down to meet the Grimston road near the site of the former Settrington railway station. Turn right and walk along the road towards Settrington.

2. (3km, 2 miles) Our route follows the road towards Rillington, but it is worth making a short detour into Settrington village. Ignore the turn for Rillington and continue into the village, taking a lane to the right, which fords the beck. Cross the beck by means of a footbridge, continue alongside the beck, then turn right up a lane. At the junction turn right towards the church. If Settrington House & grounds are open to the public, continue through the gates and walk past the Orangery to emerge on the Rillington road opposite a lake. Turn left up the hill. (If the grounds are not open to the public you will have to retrace your steps through the village back to the Rillington turn).

3. (4.5km, 3 miles) Up the hill, just past a belt of woodland, take a farm track on your right. Keep to this track for about 1km (¾ mile) to Low Bellmanear Farm. Just before the farm turn left at a none-too-obvious way mark, to cross a stream and pass through a gateway. Head diagonally to follow tracks to a gate near the far right corner into the next field. It can be very wet underfoot hereabouts because of the spring line part way up the hillside. Bear right to follow the faint track up the quaintly named Fizgig Hill. Half way up you cross the spring line and conditions underfoot improve. As you approach an old quarry the track goes to the left, but you will need to keep over to the right otherwise you will miss the stile/gate by the corner of Settrington Wood. Another stile/gate brings you into open cultivated farmland. Plod on up the field side as the hill curves over towards the summit that seems a long-time coming. From the top of Fizgig Hill there extensive views north across Malton to the North York Moors.

4. (7km, 4½ miles) At the top, turn right to follow the Wolds Way alongside Screed Plantation. In about 200m this swings left through the trees then right to continue along the eastern side. In another 200m (220yd) rejoin the track, which is followed round a bend to a junction where you take the left fork (Wolds Way). The track crosses open farmland towards some barns then descends steeply round to Wood House farm. Beyond the farm the track continues its gradual descent off the hills. The Wolds Way turns south towards Wharram-le-Street, but you continue on down the farm road, which crosses a beck and keeps in the shelter of the steep slope of Grimston Hill. Your route joins the B1248 at the bottom of the hill. Turn right and walk down the road into North Grimston.

   Along the Way

   This is a pleasant walk following parts of the Centenary Way and the Wolds Way on the northern edge of the Yorkshire Wolds. Interesting features include the attractive estate village of Settrington and wide, open views from on the Wolds across the Vale of Pickering.

   Historically Settrington was a bigger village than it is now. In the middle ages the landowner was Lady Margaret Douglas, half sister of King James V of Scotland. Later the village was owned by Queen Elizabeth I. The village was largely rebuilt in the early nineteenth century. Settrington House, home of Sir Richard Storey, stands next to the ruins of the medieval manor.

   Arnold Underwood (Jan 2002)