THE VALE OF MOWBRAY - A Northern Coast to Coast Walk: From St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay - page 96

Once safely across the railway, traverse the field that follows to a bottom
corner where there is a metal footbridge between stiles. Cross this, and in
a few strides come to the edge of another field. Now head left along the
field margin, trekking around two sides until it meets Low Moor Lane, a
surfaced minor lane that takes the route on for a while, to the left, and
passes close by Harsley Grove farm. Here go right on a gravel track to
pass Deepdale farm.
Throughout the whole of the crossing from Danby Wiske, the scenery is
entirely pastoral, the land given over to agriculture, and the walking of the
easiest kind, with barely a gradient to be encountered anywhere. In every
direction, cultivated farm fields, hedgerows and coppices stretch as far as
the eye can see. The retrospective view is of the hills of Swaledale, now
seeming far, far away, while ahead the Cleveland Hills are almost beneath
our feet.
As the gravel extension of Low Moor Lane meets a road at a bend, go
right for a short distance to another road, and there go left, but leaving it
almost immediately by turning down an access track to Sydal Lodge.
On the approach to Sydal Lodge, continue ahead through a gate to a
stile and gate near a large open barn. Keep the farm buildings on the
right, and continue ahead on a narrow grassy path along the left-hand field
edge, until diverted right to a mid-field signpost. Here, bear left and des-
cend to a footbridge, once more meeting the River Wiske on its continuing
and vain search for excitement. Though modest and slow moving, nevertheless the
River Wiske has given its name, as a suffix, to a number of villages along its route. It
finally meets the Swale not far from Thirsk.
Cross the footbridge and immediately ascend an arable field to reach the
overgrown ruins of Brecken Hill farm, where, in season, a feast may be
had of plums and elderberry. Pass to the right of the buildings, and then
carry out a series of rights and lefts around field margins and along access
lanes, passing Longlands and Crinkle Carr farms, to finally to reach the
A19. Cross this busy dual carriageway, linking Northallerton and Stockton-
on-Tees - this is probably the most hazardous moment of the whole walk.
Follow the lane ahead to Ingleby Arncliffe.