Newton-on Ouse, Beningbrough Hall, Shipton and the River Ouse

We started our walk today in the lovely village of Newton-on-Ouse, with the sun shining and the beautiful buildings and cottages making us comment that this would indeed be a lovely place to live.

The stunning architecture of the Newton on Ouse All Saints church complete with it's magnificent spire.

Entering the grounds of Beningbrough Hall.

Easy walking as we stroll along one of the access roads towards the hall.

Beningbrough Hall built in 1716. It was undergoing refurbishment when we walked by but we did have a brief chat with the nice lady on 'security' at the visitors gate who gave us some advice regarding the recent Ouse flooding.

Leaving the grounds of the hall, we head along the country lane in the direction of Shipton. We did miss a footpath to our right further on up the lane (chatting away as usual) which would have cut the corner off the lane, but no great harm done as we soon pick up the path further on.

A feint path can be seen across the field as we near the East Coast main line.

Look left, look right, look left again - All clear.

The noise from the nearby A19 can soon be heard as we approach Shipton.

Shipton, also known as Shipton-by-Beningbrough has another pub called Dawnay Arms, we had already seen a similar named pub in Newton-on-Ouse. We speculated as to what the significance of 'Dawnay' was - and our best guess was that it could be a racehorse ? Wrong! - the pubs are named after the Dawnay family who owned the Hall for about 90 years during the 19th century. Must have liked a pint or two. Shipton was a noisy busy place with the constant procession of vehicles heading up or down the great north road (A19). With hindsight we would have been better sticking to the country lane rather than walking alongside the A19 for 500 yards - we could then have walked past 'The Sidings' with it's railway carriages restaurant. Never mind - next time.

Heading towards Overton, we now cross back over the East Coast Main Line - but by bridge this time.

Arriving at the tiny village of Overton which is on the banks of the Ouse.

We had been warned by the lady at Beningbrough Hall, that we may not be able to walk alongside the River Ouse as the area had recently been flooded - but arriving at the riverside we had high hopes that we could still get through.

Driftwood piled up on nearby high ground, showed just how high the water level had reached in recent days.

It certainly was a beautiful walk alongside the River Ouse, but still no Kingfisher sightings for me - the search goes on.

We skirted round the perimeter of Beningbrough Hall this time, it seemed to be a bit more popular around here for gentle circular walks, as we began to bump into others out for a stroll.

The confluence of the Rivers Nidd and Ouse at Nun Monkton (village on the other side)

Can't give any information on this structure ? But there was a sign saying 'Nun Monkton Ferry Service' However, in mid March, it doesn't look like this service was available. Maybe summer only ?

We had the choice of heading back over to the access road that we entered Beningbrough Hall and then follow the same route back through Newton on Ouse back to the car (That would have been wise). But, being one who tries to avoid re-tracing my steps I decided to follow the river on the footpath behind the very houses we had walked past the front of earlier on in the day. This wasn't the best of ideas as the route at the bottom of everybody's gardens was particularly muddy and we sensed that the locals didn't really want you there. Many a 'Keep Out' sign, strategically placed obstacles and almost impassable water features mad our last 10 minutes a bit trying.

We got across, just - but it's been neglected and I certainly wouldn't have been able to bring my wife this way.

Back on solid ground again as we try to find places to clean our sticky mud laden boots.

Boots in the car and a lovely pint in the beer garden of the Blacksmiths Arms in the warm sun.