Great Ayton to Roseberry Topping past Aireyholme Farm

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 located in the Library, west of the High Green.

Distance: 5 miles

Time: allow 2 to two and a half hours.

Grade: moderate

Conditions: the route out to Roseberry Topping is slightly longer than the most direct path which is used for the return route. At least half of the outward walk is on quiet lanes with the rest on bridleways or footpaths. All of the return route is on footpaths. The ascent is gradual except for the last steep section to the summit of the 1057 feet Topping. (320 metres)

Refreshments: Great Ayton and Woodhouse Farm cafe

The walk passes through the pretty hamlet of Little Ayton and crosses the Middlesbrough to Whitby railway line before reaching Aireyholme Farm, the boyhood home of Captain James Cook, when his father was steward to Thomas Skottowe, one of the local landlords. The views from the summit east to Guisborough and the sea, west to the distant Pennines and north to the industrial towns of the Tees Valley, make the climb worthwhile. The descent is through Cliff Ridge Wood, site of a former whinstone quarry.

From point 1 to point 2 on the map

From the Tourist Information Centre, (TIC), on High Green, take the lane signposted to Little Ayton and, after a quarter of a mile, continue straight ahead at a mini roundabout. In Little Ayton go left just before the bridge on a lane which climbs gently to Woodhouse Farm.

Beyond the farmhouse take the bridleway to the left which in another quarter of a mile crosses the railway. Continue ahead through a gate to a tarmac lane where go left for the crossroads at Dikes Lane.

From point 2 to point 3 on the map

Now go straight ahead on Aireyholme Lane which climbs gradually to the 18th century buildings of Aireyholme Farm. Roseberry Topping beckons less than a mile away. Beyond the farm go right on a farm track and keep parallel to the fence on the left for the next half mile.

Pass through the next gate and turn left to climb sharply through the earthworks of Rosebeny Ironstone Mine which was worked in two phases between 1880 and 1926, producing at one time 1,000 tons of ore per day. The final section of the ascent passes through a gate high up on the slopes before zigzagging to the trig point on the 3 to TIC.

To return from point 3 on the map to the TIC and the Library

For the return to Great Ayton go back down to that last gate and turn right along the shoulder of the hill to a tiny 19th century stone summerhouse. Go to the left of it and, keeping a hedge and fence on your left, cross 3 fields to a small wood which encloses Aireyholme Cottage. Continue ahead across the next field to reach the edge of what was once Cliff Ridge whinstone quarry from which, last century, thousands of tons of roadstone were extracted.

The quarry is now entirely wooded. To enter it, turn sharp left, then right. Go down through the trees and go straight ahead at a crossing of routes near the edge of the wood. The walk now enters a field beyond which is the railway. The final section is across more fields intersected by a series of cast iron kissing gates. On reaching the road turn left to return to the TIC and Library.