Building on the site of Jervaulx Abbey began in the mid-12th century and much of what remains today has miraculously survived from this period. Jervaulx suffered more heavily than other Yorkshire abbeys at the Dissolution because the last abbot was involved in the Pilgrimage of Grace resulting in a campaign of savage and thorough destruction.
We turned left along the A6108 after leaving the car park and after about ¼ ml took a footpath to our right which led us along the banks of the River Ure. After about 3 miles we climbed up onto the bridge at Ulshaw and discussed whether, in view of the fast flowing river, we should risk crossing the stepping stones further up the river. We chose to risk it.
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We continued on the footpath, keeping the River Cover to our right, until after about a mile we were able to cross the river using the stepping stones. Although water was flowing over the stones they were not slippery but care had to be taken. |
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From here we turned right, crossing the river Ure at Ulshaw, keeping the river to our right, until leaving the river to walk through the grounds of Danby Hall. Here, just before leaving the grounds, we took shelter from the wind behind a hedge not far from the footpath - lunch time.
While having lunch we saw a lone walker, at the edge of the field, walking purposely along the footpath. Five minutes or so later we realised Ray was missing and was nowhere to be seen despite being in fairly open country. We had a few "helpful" suggestions such as the possibility of there having been an alien abduction but we decided to work on the more terrestrial theory that the lone walker was in fact Ray. Calling to the walker, in the next field, caused him to hestitate for a while to look back in our direction but he then continued on his way. We decided that it couldn't have been Ray so we carried on hoping to catch him up later.
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From here we continued into the village of Thornton Steward passing the ancient St. Oswald Church at the outskirts of the village. Here we met someone who had been asked by a walker the way to Jervaulx Abbey. |
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Near the end of the village we took a footpath to our right passing through Woodhouse until reaching a minor road near Killgram Grange. Here we turned right along the road and then entered Jervaulx Park . We walked through the park returning to the car park across the main road soon after the Abbey came into view on our right.
We expected to see Ray waiting for us but there was just his bag - spooky! More talk of alien abductions, but then Ray appeared from nowhere without a care in the world ensuring us he had not in fact been abducted. We decided to go to Weathespoons's in Richmond for 'refreshments'. |