Osmotherley & Mount Grace Priory

Sunday 20th November 2022

Walking Diary (All Walks) North Yorkshire & Co Durham Easy Walks North Yorkshire Moors

Osmotherley & Mount Grace Priory

A very gentle walk in the winter sun to get me back in the swing of things after suffering from a cold. Would have liked to have gone to the lakes but thought it was wise to stretch my legs with an easy one before heading further afield.

Although it's just down the road for me, I've never actually visited Mount Grace Priory before. I have done loads of walks around Osmotherley, but never ventured downhill to this Carthusian monastery built in 1398. So, this was a pleasant venture for me on a mild and sunny winters day.

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Distance: 3.2 miles
Duration: 1:30 hours
Ascent: 627 ft
Difficulty: Easy
Accompanied By: On my Own
Weather: Mild & Sunny

3D outline of route

Parking

As it was a dry & mild Sunday lunchtime, Osmotherley was busy with walkers setting off into the beautiful countryside or folk out enjoying a Sunday lunch. So, I had to park a bit further from the centre of the village than I usually do. But no harm done.

The busy little village of Osmotherley in the Hambleton Hills and on the outskirts of the North Yorkshire Moors.

A right turn off the main approach road into the village and it's onto a track.

Now, what's this all about? It's nearly December - People are putting up advent calendars and rushing around for Christmas shopping - Yet here we have an apple tree packed full of large rosy, red eating apples? This is surely not normal. They looked so good to eat, but this must be a sign of things to come. Anyway, I'll enjoy the warm weather and worry about the future of the planet another day.

It's like a summer's day - Just passed a couple sitting outside their country cottage enjoying the warmth & a drink.

Looking back across the lush green fields as I head slightly downhill towards the priory.

It wouldn't be me if I didn't make a mistake! - even on the simplest of walks, I still managed to miss the path and stile here as I cut the corner of the field slightly. So, I went 100 yards northwards before turning back and finding this correct path into the woods. Typical.

A very quiet stroll through the woods, with ever decreasing elevation.

Mount Grace Woods.

As the ground levelled, I reached the entrance to the Mount Grace Priory.

Set in woodland at the foot of the Cleveland Hills on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, Mount Grace Priory, House and Gardens is apparently England's best preserved Carthusian monastery and was built in 1398.

I had a wander around the outside of the priory, although I didn't go into the house and gardens - there was also a small cafe there, but I wasn't in need of refreshments either. So, I took a few photos and decided it would be a nice place to visit on a summer's day out with my wife & Grandson for a picnic, so I'll save it for then.

Back into the woods as I retraced my steps for a while, uphill this time though.

And out into the open - then straight on towards the high ground and the Cleveland Way

Looking back down the slope as I head into and through Chapel Wood Farm.

Not the usual signage - but canny!

Now on the Cleveland Way, with views of Osmotherley through the gaps in the trees.

Black Hambleton dominates the skyline to the right.

Back into the village of Osmotherley and the end of my walk - A pleasant couple of hours, exactly what was needed today.