Spring Walk 2024 - Northallerton and Ainderby Steeple

A rare treat - a trip out into the sticks on a train.

It gets even better too, the first pub is only 100 yards from the platform. The real ale establishment that is 'The Station Inn' - However, our hopes were soon dashed as we were soon informed that "that real ale was no longer sold here", so ten walked in and walked straight back out again. Mark came to the rescue by suggesting that the Durham Ox was 'real' and not too far away - but again our hopes were dashed as upon arrival there was none available for sale. So it was on to The Tickle Toby for our first proper pint. That took some getting - and of course I was to blame.

Now, due to the detour and slow start, we were well off course for my intended route - we had to get to Ainderby Steeple for 2pm and our lunch booking and if we re-traced our step we would certainly be late. So, an improvised route was quickly planned and we headed out from the town in the direction of Romanby which crossed the old Wensleydale Railway on the way.

Back on familiar ground now, so I can relax a bit, and I think we are still okay for time.

What a good looking bunch we are.

As predicted the recent wet weather made for a very soft walk as we headed out into the North Yorkshire countryside.

Crossing the old railway lines again

A nice dry wide road to the left and a narrow, extremely muddy path to the right. Unfortunately, we were forced to take the muddy route, as the parallel road was 'Private' with no access allowed - enforced by plenty of barbed wire.

It did give rise to a few slips and slides although nobody actually went over.

That's better - a nice dry wide path - for once a golf course was welcomed.

We avoided walking along the quite busy Dolly Lane, by keeping to the fields adjacent to the road and re-joining further up. A bit further on we turned left and headed down this lane towards the equestrian centre.

Picking up the rather muddy path as we again turned left and started our final stretch towards our lunch stop.

That looks unsightly - and the scratch doesn't look good either!

There's only one person who always seems to get an injury - introducing our very own 'Sicknote'

Ainderby Steeple appears on the horizon.

The picturesque St Helens Church, which was opposite our next pub - The Wensleydale Heifer

Nice food and three pints at this stop - one more than usual, but I guess we had a bit of catching up to do.

Ten minutes after leaving Ainderby Steeple we were arriving at Morton-on-Swale and the Old Royal George.

I wasn't sure what to expect here, but the beer was fine, the darts was fun and the conversation was full of fun and laughter - A good stop, as we again sneaked in an extra pint.

This reduced our available remaining time for when we get back to Northallerton centre, but if everyone is enjoying it, then why dash.

Leaving Ainderby for the second time.

A slightly different walk back to Aindeby Steeple as we took the 'short cut' across the fields rather than alongside the busy A684.

Then it was country lane walking to Warlaby and then onto Northallerton centre.

Due to his reputation for having exceptional navigation skills, Mark gladly took over for the pub crawl around Northallerton.

But as time was running out fast, it was just a couple in The Stumble Inn (very friendly and lively micro-pub) before we had to head back to the railway station and then onto Stockton's very own Golden Smog.