Cycle ride around Pocklington

There was once an abbey from which two fine churches evolved and gave its name to the village of Everingham, monks resided nearby to guide visitors across the swamps and wetlands which abounded in the area.

The Romans built a fort there, the Danes a corn mill and in a nearby church wall a skeleton was found. These flatlands where Lake Humber once flowed have many secrets to be discovered.

One village was given its name because of a mercenary from Belerus, the area known as White Russia.

This hardy chap, a Mr Bieli, was brought to Yorkshire by the Danes and given land on which to farm.

The name of the village where he farmed evolved into Bielby. The word biele is translated as white, and the village of Bielby was the farm from the land of white.

Mr Bieli farmed ducks and geese at Bielby while the village of Hayton nearby was inhabited by arable farmers, growing grass for hay and at Millington there was a mill.

The church with a skeleton in its wall? That was in Bielby where the church reveals many secrets. Take a look at the external walls.

As you cycle through the village of Bielby you will see duck and geese still being farmed as you leave the village on your way to Hayton. I wonder if the birds were evolved from Mr Bieli’s flock.

Your route Start from the public car park near the roundabout at Sainsbury’s. Go left here signed to the town centre. At the next roundabout, keep straight ahead through the town, soon to ride into open countryside. Pass through Yapham Mill and in less than one mile, turn left signed to Wilberfoss.

Take care on this narrow road, then turn left at the crossroads signed to Pocklington. At the A1079 crossroads, take care, go straight across the road signed to Thornton and Melbourne.

In about one mile enter a wooded area and soon go left signed to Thornton. In the village go right at the church at the sign for ‘Weight Limit, half mile ahead’ and cycle along a very narrow, bumpy road with a few sharp bends. Stop awhile at the hump back bridge to enjoy views along the Pocklington Canal. At the T-junction, turn left onto a wide road. In less than one mile, turn right signed to Everingham and Seaton Ross.

At the T-junction go left signed to Everingham, then not far to the Bielby junction. If you would like a trip to Everingham and its two churches, one of which is in the grounds of the Manor House, but can be seen from the road, continue along past the junction, then return to this point. If not go left signed to Bielby.

In half a mile you arrive at the village of Bielby, not much of note here just the College Arms for refreshment and a little further along the church on the left.

Cycle through the village and as you reach the outskirts you will see a duck and goose farm on the right, still carrying on the tradition. I wonder if the birds to be seen there today are any relation to the first settlers.

Continue along to Hayton village to a T-junction. Go right here, then immediately left signed to Nunburnholme and Burnby. Cycle through the village and as you leave it behind, the scenery becomes more undulating with a quarry among the hills in the distance.

At the T-junction in Burnby, turn right, then bear left around the church signed to Nunburnholme and Water. After a short, bumpy ride, turn left in the village of Nunburnholme signed to Pocklington onto a twisty, undulating, narrow road.

Eventually you reach a T-junction. Go left here signed to Pocklington and York. In a couple of miles you arrive back at Pocklington. Keep straight ahead to a T-junction, then straight on at the roundabout and right at the next roundabout at Sainsbury’s.

Cycle ride facts

Distance – 19 miles/30km.

Terrain – Flat and easy if you avoid the bumps and potholes!

Best map – OS Explorer 294.

Start/Grid ref – Pocklington, grid ref: 804487.

Refreshments – Look out for pubs along the way, Pocklington on return.

Public toilets – Off the Market Place in Pocklington.

View a map of the Pocklington cycle ride>>