Mulgrave Woods, Sandsend
10:14am Saturday 12th April 2008
George Wilkinson returns to Sandsend and this time he heads inland, to Mulgrave Woods.
SANDSEND has inland interest and we were reminded the other week that it's about time we explored Mulgrave Woods. Talking of timing - the woods are open to the public only on Saturday, Sunday and Wednesday, and are shut in May. There are no public rights of way.
We parked up by the trees and took tea and teacakes at the Bridge Café and Tearooms. Fortified, we set off under the alders, by the stream, daffodils too, and through a timber yard.
The woods flank each side of a valley, and are mostly broadleaf with some specimen conifers, notably the Douglas firs. It's pleasant and sometimes pretty, though most of the stands don't look that old and aren't because felling took place during the Second World War.
The canopy showed in places a sheen of green, some sticky buds of horse-chestnut, the flowers of blackthorn and cherry. You could say they were pulling their "yearly trick of looking new", but Philip Larkin wrote that.
Groundcover plants were unspectacular. Two species dominate: the evergreen of sedge and the fresh vivid green of dogs mercury. Despite the interesting name, dogs mercury might seem the country's most boring plant, with its green leaves, low habit and green inconspicuous flowers, but it does perhaps signify that this is a site of ancient woodland.
Birds sang and we looked at bridges. Primroses cheered and sunshine did too. We were equipped as normal with boots and rucksacks and were overdressed compared with the other visitors.
A tunnel gave shelter from the rain and time to admire the ferns. Around the corner is the old castle, old because there is a new one nearby and the site of an even older one - but they were for another day.
Anyway, the old one had the typically turbulent history of a proper castle and was eventually blown up. Over the years it has been semi restored, romanticised' the info plaque informs. It covers quite a large area, has arrow slits in the form of crosses, a good window and is well sited being on a narrow rigg, though much encroached by trees.
We moved on, keeping to a simple route on main tracks, and I'd dare to suggest to the hearty parent that all this terrain is suitable for pushchairs. But do explore, and fear not getting lost because there's always someone to ask.
We met a family and the dad asked if the castle was close and we pointed and I said that it was a "romantic ruin par excellence" to which he said "pity we brought the children" and said youths cast down their eyes. But indeed the best time for the castle will be a warm summer's night, with bats and owls and moonlight, when I am sure the woods will be canoodling with couples.
Directions
When in doubt look at the map. Check your position at each point.
Keep straight on unless otherwise directed.
1. From parking area opposite Bridge Cottage Cafe, gates to asphalt drive through woods, timber yard, track, pass house, gates.
2. At open grassy area/clearing with timber hut, ignore a right fork.
3. Left fork 100 yards down to but not over white bridge, continue on track that rejoins main route. Ignore a left to a wooden footbridge. Stay on main track, climbs.
4. At seat, ignore a right to the tunnel, 150 yards (small sign), two dozen steps on right uphill, left to path (info board), and castle.
5. Back from castle, pass same info board, straight on, over the tunnel, straight on, ignore a right.
6. Right at Y' junction and 50 yards to and under stone bridge. Downhill, ignore a left fork uphill. Rejoin outward route at hut.
Fact file
Distance: Three-and-a-half miles.
General location: Coast.
Start: Sandsend.
Right of way: Permissive - only Wednesday, Saturday and Sundays. Closed May.
Map: Drawn from the OS Explorer OL27 North York Moors eastern area.
Dogs: On leads.
Date walked: April 2008.
Road route: Via Whitby.
Car parking: Car park by woods or pay and display nearby or roadside.
Lavatories: Near pay and display.
Refreshments: Inns and cafés.
Tourist and public transport information: Whitby TIC 01723 383636.
Terrain: Small valley.
Points of interest: Apparently in the mid nineteenth century there were elephants here.
Difficulty: Easy.
Please observe the Country Code and park sensibly. While every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers set out at their own risk.