WHAT secrets could human bones reveal which have been found buried on the hillside of a Ryedale village?

Perhaps they are connected with an old barn as there is evidence of gothic windows which could indicate the barn was part of a monastery. There is an area nearby called Friar’s Hill which would add strength to the argument.

Another view is that it could have been a chapel for nuns as it is a similar age to the church, and there is ‘Nun’s Walk’ in the area.

Also, it is recorded that in the 12th century, a cell of Benedictine nuns from Yedingham was given Sinnington Church with land.

Whatever it was and whoever lived there could have been interred in the adjacent paddock, which is where the bones were found.

There was a manor house or hall near the barn which was the country residence of the Latimers, their other residence being at Danby Castle on the edge of the moors being described as inhospitable, and it was Lord Latimer who obtained the charter for a fair and market at the village.

There were two water mills called High Grange and Low Grange which would most likely have belonged to Yedingham Priory.

Other things of historical interest in the village are a bridge without a stream, which was likely to have been a larger structure in medieval times and most certainly bridging water.

And, of course, the village is renowned for its daffodils in the spring By now you will have guessed that all this history, and a lot more, belongs to the fine village of Sinnington which is where this month’s cycle ride starts from.

But allow yourselves some time to take a look at the church, old bridges, barn and manor house on your return to this interesting and beautiful village.

Your route

Start from the Fox & Hounds Inn at Sinnington, then head off towards the A170. Go left here signed to Scarborough. Please take care on this busy road and in less than a mile, look out for a rough farm track on the nearside. Go left here and soon, at a farm, the road becomes metalled but still quite rough and dirty.

At the main road, turn right downhill towards Wrelton. At the 30mph signs, turn left signed to Cawthorn. If you don’t fancy the rough farm road ignore the previous instruction and continue from Sinnington to Wrelton on the main road. Go left signed to Wrelton, Cropton and Rosedale, then immediately past the Buck Inn, go left signed to Hartoft and Rosedale along the village street. Just after the sharp left bend, go right signed to Cawthorn.

Climbing now on a narrow road of varying gradient for some time before gently descending. Good views along the road to the Cawthorn farms ahead.

Eventually, after many gritty corners, you reach a T-junction. Go left here to cycle along to Cropton. Ride along the wide main street and just after the right hand bend, turn right, then right again signed to Lastingham, Hartoft and Rosedale down the steep Cropton Bank. Take care, the hill becomes steeper with a sharp bend to catch you out. At the bottom of the hill, cross a bridge, then turn immediately left signed to Lastingham and Kirkbymoorside.

Pass a farm, then as the road narrows it descends through the trees to a slippery corner, crosses a fine bridge and past another farm.

At the end of the farm buildings, turn left signed to Appleton-le-Moors.

Cross the bridge, then start a long climb on a single track road. Watch out for farm mud along here and eventually you reach a T-junction. Go left now to cycle through Appleton-le-Moors and past the Moors Inn.

Continue out of the village through unfenced countryside and watch out for wild animals, especially the curly-coated ones.

Shortly, you reach the A170. Turn right here signed to Thirsk and Kirkbymoorside and in about 200 yards, go left signed to Great Edstone.

At the T-junction, go left signed to Edstone onto a wide fast road. Keep on this road to reach Marton. At the Appletree Inn, turn left signed to Pickering. Pass over the bridge across the River Seven and through the pretty village of Marton. Not far after you leave the village, the road bends sharp left. Keep straight ahead now following the sign for Sinnington.

This is a very twisty, dirty road that eventually reaches the A170 once again. Go left here signed to Thirsk, then almost immediately right signed to ‘Sinnington Only’ for some refreshment at the Fox & Hounds.

the facts

Distance – 16miles/26km

Terrain – Hilly at times, nothing too serious

Best map – OS Outdoor Leisure 26

Start/grid ref – Sinnington, grid ref: 744855

Refreshments – Pubs along the way at Wrelton, Cropton (just off route), Appleton-le- Moors, Marton and, of course, Sinnington

Public toilets – None

View a map of the Sinnington cycle ride>>