Hudswell to Richmond circular walk

There's plenty of roadside parking in Hudswell, I parked in the village hall car park, there as loads of space and I'm sure no-one minded. The locals were extremely friendly actually, had a lovely chat with a girl out running in the pouring rain.

Down the high street and then it's a left turn, over the very small stile and down this grassy path.

Through a field past a bonfire (which may not be here in 6 weeks time !) and there's a gate in the far corner.

Once through the gate it's straight on all the way, sticking to the gates and stiles and staying to the high ground all the way.

These Highland Cattle look scary, but they are as timid as they come - this one run a mile after I took this photo.

Easy walking, but as it was very wet, the tree roots were quite slippery.

As I headed in the direction of Richmond, it was a case of following the path sometimes in the woods and sometimes, like now, alongside it.

I stuck to the right, the walk is well defined with marked stiles and gates.

An open area for a bit of cross country horse riding.

Ah !!

Not to worry though, there is a gate over to the right which goes the same way.

From the 'Path Closed' sign.

Looking over past the jumps, there's a steel gate. Through that, turn left, and then it's onto a path leading straight down to Richmond. Simples.

Heading down the detour path towards to town.

Nice 1

First sighting of Richmond Castle as I reach the outskirts of this North Yorkshire market town.

It's a hundred yards down the road before the boundary of Richmond is reached.

The Green Bridge - Richmond.

There's the path I took, just by the car.

The Green Bridge over the River Swale.

Not very handy for a breather ?

Heading into the woods.

I stayed on the main path and headed slightly upwards through the woodland.

At Billy Banks Woods, I took the path back down towards the river.

The beautiful River Swale.

The last time I was here with my wife, this area alongside the river bank was extremely muddy in places. I didn't take photo's of the places in question, but all the trouble spots seem to have been eradicated now, as there's plenty of hard standing paths where there used to be a quagmire!

At Hudswell Woods footbridge, its through the gate and straight on.

Lashing it down with rain whilst I stop for a bit of bird watching - still can't see any of those elusive Kingfishers though.

Just in case you get lost, there's a sign in the woods

The sting in the tail ! The Hudswell steps. Take a breather and then endure 5 minutes of hard work.

The good news is, that after the steps and a couple of fields - there's a pub!

Hudswell's community run pub - One with many awards too.

I didn't call in today as I was soaking wet - but have enjoyed their friendly hospitality and lovely beer/food in the past.

Now to get dry, go home and prepare a treasure hunt for the girls.

Post Rekkie..........

The girls heading out into the wilderness - fortunately they got a lovely day for their walk around Richmond and Huswell.

They did manage to find the pub okay, but they didn't manage to find their way back out of it !!!

At least they all had a great day