A brief aside. I'm at pains to ensure the routes shown are completely legal. There are numerous paths everywhere, not just here, that are obviously in continued regular use, but have no legal backing. For anything published under theauspices of the Harriers it has to be legal., if it's not on the definitive ROW map, we cannot publish it. Frustrating as there are numerous variations, some of which would make for a better route choice and are even marked on mapping as 'path' and in regular use, but with nothing categorising them as 'legal'. There are a few minor exceptions on some routes – Permissive Paths. These are generally still signed. Exceptions were paths don't have to be signed to be legal are on 'Open Access Land' or 'Coastal Margins' none of which border Thirsk. Another is 'Common Land', of which there are some small areas locally. The foregoing relates to England, Scotland has far more agreeable access rights. So when you can see what looks like an obvious or even better alternative that's why it might not be included in any description here.
Our start point is White Mare Roundabout (the junction of Barbeck, Ingramgate , Long Street and Sutton Road). This is the start of the A170, effectively where you turn left for Sutton Bank and Scarborough. The Roundabout is named after a pub that was originally here. On the north (left) side of our route start point is what was the old Union Workhouse. Spare a thought for the inmates – in the mid 1700s if was described as 'squalid but the diet wholesome and the regime humane', the building you see now is mainly from 1838. During WW2 it was used by the military and for first aid, then as a 'Poultry Rearing Station' and finally a factory that I remember having friends work at. It was converted to residential use in 1998 with at least one Harrier now residing there in far more comfort than earlier inmates.
Start your run by heading east following the A170 on the footpath up and over the A19 Thirsk Bypass. The bypass was opened in 1972 at a cost of £4.4M, before then the traffic came down Long Street! Just after you have dropped down the other side and before the climb of Plumpbank you will see the track of Green Lane across the road on your right. There is no nameplate but you will note a sign 'No Access to Monk Park Farm'. Cross the road with care and follow the surfaced lane that changes to a stone track as it turns left and rises gently ahead of you. Those in the club during COVID will recognise this stretch as part of the 'Virtual Harrogate Evening League Nidd Valley Race' from June 2020. It's all runnable (depending on pace judgement) and keeps you away from traffic baring the very occasional tractor or Amazon delivery driver.
You may spot flocks of flighty finches in the hedges as you pass and hares in the fields either side if you're lucky. It's a steady almost mile rise to the isolated dwellings of Woodcock. As a side birding reference Europe's smallest bird, the Goldcrest was once called the 'Woodcock Pilot' due to its appearance at (seemingly) the same time as the migratoryWoodcock. It was thought to cadge a lift! Not true but for a bird half the weight of a blue tit it is remarkable it canmigrate over the North Sea from the likes of Scandinavia. Keep your eyes peeled in winter and you might see one, they're not shy so you can get quite close if lucky enough.
Before the actual crest of the lane – just about opposite a small shed / barn on the left you will notice a broad grassy opening on the right between properties – a telegraph pole there does have the ROW arrows on it, a rarity. This is where your loop back rejoins Green Lane, for now continue onward and slightly left to the end of the stone track by the last building.
Green Lane now lives up to its name. Lanes like these that are very broad and hedged or walled are sometimes known as 'Forty Foot Roads' perhaps a throwback to cattle drove days. There are less and less of these around as hedges or walls are removed opening them up. There are good views towards Sutton Bank and now its grass (or mud) all the way to Moor Lane. Keep straight ahead while weaving a little to try and find the driest line if it's not summer. Once again the lane rises and falls once or twice to add to the fun. Further along you may notice occasional painted stones and mystical small fairy doors at the foot of some of the trees. During COVID they sprung up presumably to keep children occupied.
At the end of the lane we join the minor road Moor Lane. You have to follow the road (its generally pretty quiet) but for less than 500m. You are running on the right side so towards any oncoming vehicles and there is a broad verge on your right should you need to pause. On entering the village cut the corner over the verge to turn right into Bagbyvillage itself and follow the footpath down the main street. Bagby has a large percentage of harriers for a small place so keep an eye out for a wave
Just after you pass the Greyhound pub (on the other side of the road) a lane appears to your right, this your turn, follow Church Lane rightwards. The lane turns and passes St Mary's. There was an ancient chapel on this site but the current building dates from 1862. It has a very nice look to it and a lovely roof but I've never managed to find it open…but I don't pass on Sunday mornings so no surprise there.
Church Lane morphs into Back Lane and will start to drop downhill, just at that point there is a seat on the right and you might spot a miniature painted door on the verge like those on Green Lane earlier. The surface gets a bit rough, potholed and fairly filthy but is easy running, keep keeping on – ignore any turns.
Note while we're in the area – the ROWs shown going west towards the A19 seem to indicate an alternative route back to Thirsk heading towards the Cattle Mart. Don't be fooled! Unless you enjoy dyke leaping, it's a real sport (see YouTube) that route is very problematic, certainly not one for winter unless the council puts in a bridge or two. Definitely not recommended.
You now reach a further isolated group of buildings going by the title Bagby Grange. There are some misleading timber finger posts and a further misleading 'private gated road' sign – ignore these and continue on down the lane. The track is now stone as it leads to the final little terrace of two houses. To the left you might notice an old black and white cast iron Yorks North Riding signpost with exotic sounding 'Camusfearna' on it. This is presumably a reference to a very distant Sandaig Bay way up in north western Scotland opposite Skye. Sandaig became the fictional Camusfearna in 'Ring of Bright Water' – the famous book by Gavin Maxwell telling of his life with his pet otters at that lonely spot.
Continue on down the sunken lane (often a bit muddy in winter) to a gate and pass through and follow to another the other side of which you cross a minor stream in a bit of woodland that has abundance of garlic and bluebells in the right season. The path follows round to the right side curving along the field boundary before a right – left dog leg through a gap in the hedge to reveal a large field that you will run most of the way around. With the hedge now on your left side continue north to the far corner.
At this point other ROWs (unmarked) head off back towards Thirsk via the nurseries and Thircon steel works. These are completely unmarked and in parts thwarted by ditches, undergrowth and barbed wire, so unless you have wire cutters and secateurs and a real keenness for adventure it's definitely not recommended.
From that corner follow the left side of the large field upwards towards the buildings on the horizon that are Woodcock. The ROW path cuts rightward across the top of the field (yet again, unmarked) but if, as now, it is ploughed or tilled you are better going round the field boundary following the obvious way used by others behind the houses. Past the tall beech hedge an opening between the properties becomes apparent with close boarded fencing either side (something to hide?) that takes you back to Green Lane at the point mentioned earlier – turn left here onto Green Lane to retrace your steps to Thirsk about one and a half miles away. Enjoy the expansive views to the Dales beyond as you run mainly downhill along the rest of the lane.
You could of course, if you wish, miss the road section by doing an out and back from Thirsk via Woodcock to Bagby- again almost 10kms.
