THE VALE OF MOWBRAY - A Northern Coast to Coast Walk: From St Bees to Robin Hood's Bay - page 89

Nearby is the site of St Giles Hospital, one of many run under monastic orders, though
there is little to see on the ground from the route. The site was excavated as recently
as 1990, and revealed a large number of skeletons that were all removed to York for
further research.
Do not enter St Giles Farm, but go left on a path to meet its access track
at a stile. Bear left, and only a short while later go left over a step-stile
and forward along a field boundary, crossing the boundary fence at anoth-
er step-stile tucked in a corner about halfway down the field edge. Now
a path continues along the top of a bank above the Swale, later merging
with a broad track that leads on to Thornbrough Farm. On reaching the
farm, go through a gate, passing the farm buildings, and then immediately
descend left to the point where the Swale, and our path, passes under the
A1, the way onward being over more stiles.
Pass under the A1 and press on, keeping straight ahead, to pass beneath
a defunct metal railway bridge, shortly beyond which the route bears to
the right towards Catterick racecourse, crossing the end of an overflow car
park to reach the A6136 (the old A1), with Catterick Bridge on the left.
CATTERICK BRIDGE
Catterick Bridge, more or less as we now see it, was commissioned by seven local
gentry in 1422, and built by three stonemasons, each of whom put their stonemason's
mark on the stones of the old bridge. The bridge took three years to build, at a total
cost of £173 6 s 8 d .
Beside the bridge, the Bridge House Hotel, also built in more spacious days, has a
style and charm often lacking in these days of mechanisation and standardization - its
atmosphere and tradition date back to the old coaching days. In 1442 the hotel was
known as the George and Dragon, and an important coaching halt between London and
Scotland. Until 1950 the present hotel was owned by the Lawsons of Brough Hall, Cat-
terick.
The area around the hotel has great historical interest, dating to the time when Cat-
terick Bridge was a Brigantian city, then known as 'Cherdarich', meaning 'the camp
by the water'. When the Romans arrived they extended the city into a great military
centre, and Dere Street, the main Roman road to the north, forded the river at Catt-
erick Bridge. The Romans renamed the area 'Cataractonium', though this is an ancient
British word, borrowed by the Romans.
Cross the road with care and go left over the bridge, following the abut-
ments round, right, to a gated squeeze-stile giving access to a meadow.
Follow the Swale, tackling stiles and gates until, after passing along the
edge of an elongated pasture, you arrive at a metal gate giving onto a
permissive path that is a welcome substitute for the roadside walking that