Great Ayton to Pannierman Lane

This is a walk originally published as part of a series of 6 walks available as leaflets from the Tourist Information Centre (TIC) in Great Ayton. The TIC is now located in the Library, west of the High Green. Previously it was in the car park opposite the chemist.

Distance: 4 miles

Time: allow 2 hours.

Grade: easy

Conditions: this is an easy, level walk on footpaths and bridleways.

Refreshments: Great Ayton's High Green and Low Green

The first part of the walk is along the village high street with its variety of interesting buildings. The field paths afford extensive views of Langbaurgh Ridge, Roseberry Topping and, further afield, the line of the Cleveland Hills.

From point 1 to point 2 on the map

We leave from High Green. On your left are the handsome late Georgian buildings which until recently were the home of the Friends’ School. Continue past the statue of the young James Cook down the High Street past the Library, formerly the national School of 1842, and then the Museum which, as the Postgate School, was founded in 1704 but rebuilt in 1785.

Beyond the village hall is Beech Grove, a large house dating from 1779 sheltering under a stately cedar tree perhaps as old as the house. In another 200 yards you will come to the stone bridge, built in 1909. (The village name carved on the parapet was removed in the Second World War to confuse German invaders.) Turn right up the main road to the parish church with its taII spire.

From point 2 to point 3 on the map

Just beyond the church go left on a footpath and bear right after the first stile. Notice the ridge and furrows of the medieval open field system in the first field and, away on the left, the original Norman church of All Saints. Ahead are the 18th century buildings of Ayton Hall.

The path turns right in front of a barn and continues across two fields. In the next field continue straight ahead for about 250 yards and then go sharp left in the middle of the field to a hedge 100 yards away. Bear right to a stile in the corner of the field. From here the path is easy to follow over two fields to a large house. Keep to the right of the house and follow the drive to the A172. Go sharp left along the broad grass verge of the road to the bridleway leading left to Greenhow Hill on its slight rise some 300 yards away.

From point 3 to point 4 on the map

The bridleway back to Great Ayton is easy to follow and a delight to walk. From a rough bench just beyond Greenhow Hill there are good views across to the village as well as to Roseberry Topping. The route in about a mile from the A172 comes out into Yarm Lane at the west end of the village.

To return from point 4 to point 1 on the map

Turn left past no. 12, formerly a tannery, and then right over the white footbridge at the beginning of Low Green. Cross the main road into Mill Terrace where once stood the village’s corn mill. Follow this to reach the monument of Australian rock presented by the state of Victoria in 1934 in exchange for Cook’s father’s cottage. To the left of it a path leads to the Hollygarth development of retirement homes. Ignore the first bridges over the river but go to the far end of the housing and via a kissing gate into Suggitt’s field. Keep parallel to the high street and follow a shallow ditch, the original course of the mill stream. Another gate gives access to Waterfall Park and a footbridge over the river. Turn right back to the High Green.