THIS week’s country walk is the British Heart Foundation sponsored walk. It takes place on Sunday, October 6, and starts at the Crown & Cushion in Welburn.

Walkers can register any time after 10am and must finish by 4pm, not forgeting to sign off.

On registration, walk instructions and a route map will be given.

Sponsor forms are available from the walk organisers on 01653 618309 or from the Gazette & Herald office in Yorkersgate, Malton.

The walk

Hinderskelf Castle was constructed early in the 14th century but was in ruins before the 15th century.

It wasn’t until 1683 that it was rebuilt, only to be destroyed by fire 10 years later, and the remains demolished several years later to make way for the building of Castle Howard.

The castle and manor of Hinderskelf was given to Sir Humphrey Lascelles by King Rufus.

It included the land adjoining and reaching as far as Stamford Bridge and Lastingham.

Sir Humphrey died at Hinderskelf in 1102 and is buried at Old Malton. The Hinderskelf castle building would have been square with a tower at each corner and could be termed as a towerhouse, similar to a pele tower, with fortifications probably added at a later date to become a fortified manor house. However, no remains exist today.

What there is to see at Castle Howard, apart from the magnificent house and gardens, are the many architectural gems and monuments in the park.

You will all have your favourite but mine is the Temple of the Four winds situated at the eastern end of Temple Terrace with grand views across to the imposing Mausoleum.

Known originally as the Temple of Diana, the square building graced by a dome and porticos, is modelled on a 16th century villa in Vicenza.

The temple was used for a place of refreshment and solitude.

Designed by Vanbrugh, it was not completed before he died.

The great Mausoleum, designed by Hawksmoor rises skywards on a ridge. The building is magnificent and is supported by 20 pillars.

Another Hawksmoor design is the Pyramid. It is adjacent to the gatehouse, again standing on a ridge to be seen from miles around. The Pyramid is hollow and contains a bust of Lord William Howard.

A visit to Castle Howard’s architectural pleasures is not complete without a look at the Carlisle Memorial Column.

It is a 19th century monument located at the southern end of the Castle Howard Avenue on the edge of the Howardian Hills.

Built to the memory of the 7th Earl of Carlisle after his death in 1864, the column was paid for by public subscription.

Four architects submitted designs for the monument, including one by the Yorkshire-based architect Cuthbert Broderick, but the design by Frederick Pepys Cockerell was chosen. The monument consists of a central column, over seven feet in diameter and is hollow inside. The central column rests on a square platform with steps leading up on the north side.

Around the square base of the column is an inscription to the 7th Earl. At each of the four corners of the platform is a pedestal surmounted with a knight’s helmet, and the outer face of each pedestal bears a heraldic shield and sword with, alternately, the arms of the Howard family and the Royal Family, in recognition of the Earl’s post of Viceroy of Ireland.

The top is crowned by a tripod which supports an urn with flames fashioned from gilded copper. The entire structure is 120 feet high.

While walking through the grounds of the Castle Howard estate, it is easy to become overwhelmed by its grandeur.

Huge monuments appear dramatically in front of you and stare down as their privacy is briefly invaded, while at every turn a new and even more imposing building appears – the Pyramid on St Anne’s Hill, the astounding Mausoleum to the north surrounded by its Doric pillars and the Temple of the Four Winds standing aloof across a meadow.

It is followed by a magnificent view across the water to Castle Howard from the superb ornamental bridge, the jewel in the crown.

This grand architecture can be seen on the British heart Foundation sponsored walk through the grounds of Castle Howard.

Although we are allowed to walk through these grounds, we must keep to the right of way and not visit the buildings.

The BHF route A detailed route description will be handed out at registration so I will only give you a short taste of the delights to look forward to.

The route starts from the Crown & Cushion in Welburn and takes you along the road to a small gate leading towards the Castle Howard grounds.

It soon crosses the Centenary Way, and as the route heads for Hutton Hill, there are good views across to the Yorkshire Wolds.

Heading towards Castle Howard, you go through High Gaterley and Low Gaterley. It is as you approach Low Gaterley that you can return to the finish if you are doing the short route, details are in the route handed out at registration, and it is also where the grand Mausoleum comes into view.

Continue along now to Bog Hall and eventually on to Ray Wood to head off towards the magnificent Temple of the Four Winds. Pass the temple and enjoy the scenery all around you as you as you pass over the bridge and head off back to Welburn with glimpses of the Pyramid on your right.

At the end of the walk, remember to sign off at the Crown & Cushion before you leave for home.

The facts

Distance – Long route is six miles/9½km. Shorter route is four miles/6½km

Time – Leisurely three hours (long route), two hours (short route)

Grading – easy

Best map – OS Explorer 300

Start/grid ref – Crown & Cushion pub at Welburn GR721680

Parking – Street park in Welburn

Refreshments – Soft drinks will be available. The Crown & Cushion will be open