Rudston, near Bridlington, gave us the excuse to camp in the Wolds and the site in the walled grounds of Thorpe Hall was very attractive and rustic but also with all the mod cons for the swarms of children.

By noon the tent was up, boots were laced and we were striding along the first of many tracks, with a bit of breeze, a bit of rain, the fields sweetly coloured with crops and the hedgerows bursting with growth.

This is not the Wolds of steep dry valleys, but the curves are easy on the eye and the legs; so gentle they hardly slow the pace and soon we were over the first rise and speeding on some dead-end tarmac towards a 'green lane'. Well, it had gone, was under rape. So we found a way around and I have notified the highways authority, although they knew the scene.

A sea view brought a sandwich stop.

A dumped sofa brought the hope that the cretin responsible is uncomfortably in hock for the new one.

At first sight the village of Boynton screamed with virulent yellow paint, but at the other end was a pleasure, for here is a vicarage with interesting windows, St Andrew's with Greek columns and there is a view of the northern frontage of the Queen Anne-style Boynton Hall. Plus and, rare in the Wolds, an above-ground stream.

Just beyond the beck and Home Farm is another good sight of the hall, and hereabouts we met a local walker who told us that its Strickland family were the first, in the 16th century, to bring turkeys to England and that in the aforementioned St Andrew's there's a lectern supported by a turkey and more of the birds in the stained glass. He also said they used to watch for the turkey ships from the nearby Carnaby Temple, so we had a gander at that although it's a bit the worse for wear, of brick over chalk.

Then there was a lovely stroll through a long and very narrow wood where fallen trunks were overgrown with Dryad's Saddle bracket fungi and the trees were pimpled by pretty striped climbing snails.

A length of Roman rRoad was almost free of traffic and this made the connection to a descending track back into the valley where there's the site of a medieval village and the campsite. Hot showers sorted out our legs, The Star Inn at Kilham our stomachs.

directions

When in doubt, look at the map. Check your position at each point. Keep straight on unless otherwise directed.

From Churchyard gates, left then right downhill, pass Old School, left at bottom corner (Eastgate), becomes drive (signed), path (snickelgates), cross field (snickelgate), right 25 yards on campsite drive, left across grass to steps (signed).

Cross main road, right 25 yards (pavement), track on left uphill, stony then grass, keep hedge to your right. Right to road (dead-end sign), grassy track on right before farmyard (signed bridleway), 200 yards.

From field junction a 'green lane' across field did not exist as on map. So keep to bridleway, pass wood, 200 yards, track on left. At field corner, left ten yards, right into adjoining field and whichever side of hedge is easier then track to left of hedge.

Right to road downhill (some verge, then pavement). Cross main road, through village. For look at Hall follow signed path beyond Church for 200 yards. Otherwise, tarmac opposite Church (signed bridleway), 50 yards, left-hand bend then straight on, track(blue waymark).

Right into farmyard, 50 yards (no signs here), left between house and barns, left at barn corner, ten yards, up grass bank on right, cross track, stile into field, 50 yards at 1 o'clock uphill, stile. Path should be left, 50 yards then right straight uphill via telegraph pole but if not there follow wide margin to right.

Right to road. After 50 yards of wood to left, track/path on left opposite barrier (no sign). Left to road, ten yards, field-edge track on right.

Right at T-junction. Left to road (verge). Track on right at metal barrier (signed bridleway).

At wood, track on left (sign in trees), through wood, fieldgate at corner of wood and left with fence to your left (waymark), gateway, track swings right downhill by wood.

About 50 yards before house on left, track on right through yard (signed), gates, snickelgate, path, right to cul-de-sac, right to Eastgate.

fact file

Distance: Ten and a half miles.

Time: Four or five hours.

General location: The Wolds.

Start: Rudston

Right of way: The complete route is along public rights of way (detours shown where necessary because of obstructions).

Date walked: Saturday, June 11, 2005.

Road route: From York, A166 to Driffield and then Burton Agnes, left to Rudston.

Car parking: Roadside.

Lavatories: None.

Refreshments: Inn and shop in Rudston.

Tourist and public transport information: Bridlington TIC 01262 673474.

Map: Based on OS Explorer 295 Bridlington, Driffield and Hornsea.

Terrain: Gently rolling hills.

Points of interest: Rudston churchyard; lots on this next week when we do a shorter walk here.

Difficulty: Nearly all very good walking surfaces.

Please observe the Country Code and park sensibly. While every effort is made to provide accurate information, walkers set out at their own risk.

Click here to view a map of the walk

Updated: 11:56 Saturday, June 18, 2005