Country Lifestyle · Dog Walks ·Aug 25, 2017

Our Favourite Walks - Great Ayton

At Millbry Hill, we are very lucky to live and work in such a beautiful part of the world. In this new series, we will share some of our favourite walks and rides through our spectacular countryside. This first featured walk is a three mile, family friendly, circular route which starts and finishes in the village of Great Ayton. Just three miles from our Stokesley Shop, Great Ayton is as famous locally for its Suggit’s Ice-Creams and Petch’s Pork Pies as it is for being the boyhood home of the great explorer, Captain James Cook.

Taking in stunning views of the countryside with the Cleveland Hills as it’s backdrop, this route makes not only for an enjoyable dog walk, but also a great family day out too. As well as being a popular picnic spot by the river, Great Ayton is home to the recently refurbished Captain Cook Schoolroom Museum. This route also takes you through Fletcher’s Farm, with its popular café and farm shop, along with plenty of farm animals to meet, and even a Pottery Painting Barn!

3 Mile Circular Walk of Great Ayton

1. With High Green on your right, follow the road for 200 yards along onto Newton Road. Look for the sign-posted gap in the stone wall, with a black metal swing gate. Follow the footpath through the dark coppice and into Hall Fields. The path continues with a gentle accent, across the rail tracks, and eventually up into Cliff Ridge Wood.

2. Once into the woods, take the low path to your right, and follow along until you reach a gate opening into fields. Follow the sign-posted footpath along the top edge of the lower field, across to a dog-friendly stile.

View across fields at Great Ayton, looking towards Airyholme Lane

Leaving Cliff Ridge Woods, follow the marked footpath along the fence edge.

3. At the bottom of the tree-root steps, turn right, following Aireyholme Lane and down to the crossroads with Dikes Lane.

4. At the crossroads, continue straight over, following the lane for 200 yards. You will reach a track to your right sign-posted ‘Fir-Brook’. Follow this track down, where you will eventually come to a red gate. Go through the gate, over the bridge across the railway lines, and down into Fletcher’s Farm.

Stop for a coffee, or meet the farm animals at Fletcher’s Farm

5. From Fletcher’s Farm, follow the lane down into Little Ayton. Follow the road to the left, over the bridge. After another 200 yards, you will see another dog-friendly stile to your right. Go over the stile and follow the footpath straight across the field, following the hedge line. Continue following the footpath to the left, crossing the joining field, where you will reach a wooden gate.

6. Continue following the path, where you will come to the sports fields. Continue along the path beside the Cricket fields and then through the metal kissing gate. With the river on your right, finally follow the path into Waterfall Park, and back onto Great Ayton High Street.