Nidderdale Way - Hampsthwaite, Birstwith, Burnt Yates, Shaw Mills & Ripley Castle

Hampsthwaite is a large village in Nidderdale not too far from Harrogate. It's a pretty little place and seemed very friendly too. I parked on the main roadside, there seemed to be plenty of options for where to leave my car.

St Thomas Becket Church and it's 15th century tower. The start of this walk takes me through the grounds of this church.

The path works it's way through the graveyard to a gate at the back.

After 10 minutes of road walking - a very well concealed right turn is reached.

Finally reaching the riverside path along the Nidd.

Crossing the River Nidd at Birstwith.

Heading towards West House Farm

One of these where the path seems to go very close to the farm house - although you are guided to the right and then meet up with the OS route further on round the back.

Looking back I see no evidence of modifications to the right of way - Oh well, no harm done.

Approaching Burnt Yates.

A quick wander through Burnt Yates and then it's across the B6165

Now approaching Shaw Mills.

A strange place to have the Nidderdale Way junction, right on a sharp bend with crash barriers that you have to step over. I was thrown by this again, as my OS map showed the Nidderdale Way junction slightly further up the country lane going through someone's property. I wonder if there has been some convenient re-locations here? Again, it doesn't matter much really.

Heading eastwards across the lush green countryside.

Next grumble. You are directed away from Kettle Spring Farm (good) and into the fields alongside the nearby Thornton Beck (or so I assumed, as the post and marker were lying on the floor), but again you are 'off' the official path and then the signs disappear? I followed a map to walk round a copse and back up to join on a separate path.

I'm still not sure if you were meant to walk through this farm or not ? I went round it as you can see here.

But when I re-joined the main path, looking back, the signage at the pig farm is non existent, so how on earth are walkers expected to know whether to enter or not ? Bit daunting, especially with all the weird sounds coming from it. Do as I did - go round.

I think this is in the grounds of High Cayton Hall, although I didn't go past the hall on my route today.

Crossing the busy B6165 again, this time at Ripley.

Arriving at picturesque Ripley and the old town hall.

Entrance to Ripley Castle.

One of the weirs over Ripley Beck.

The 14th century Ripley Castle.

Now heading back via the solid footpath from Ripley to Hampsthwaite. It doesn't go all the way, with the last half a mile or so via the Horseshoe path.

Crossing the River Nidd at Hampsthwaite.

And were back !