Vale of Belvoir Ramblers: Whitby Weekend Away, September 2024

Rosedale Abbey and the Ironstone Railway

Starting in the village of Rosedale Abbey, this walk explored the Rosedale valley and nearby moorland. Mining for iron took place here for hundreds of years before the 19th century mining boom which followed the discovery of thick seams of ironstone outcropping near the surface in Rosedale. Most of the walk was along the the track bed of Rosedale's Ironstone Railway which follows the contours round the head of the valley along which mining and other activities were once carried out.

The start in Rosedale Abbey

Today's walk (red) with other options up the River Seven (green) and round the head of the valley on the railway (blue)

First sight of the Ironstone Railway - Rosedale East Coal Depot with its stone dividing walls to separate fuel types

Looking up Rosedale towards the head of the valley

The Rosedale Iron Kilns were one of three sets where ironstone was calcined (roasted) before being taken to Teesside for iron and steel production

Model of ironstone kilns

Rosedale Mines Iron Kilns, 1900

The kilns were built in the 1860s to process ironstone which had been mined from beneath the moor to the east

Descent from the railway

Re-joining the railway at Blakey Junction where the East and West branches of the Ironstone Railway meet

Example of mining technique at Sheriff's Pit just before leaving the railway

Welcome rest at Thorgill after dropping down from the railway over rough moorland

All that's left of Rosedale Priory, the 13th-century turret near the Church of St Mary and St Laurence in the village of Rosedale Abbey

Tuesday, Whitby and the Cinder Track

Today's walk started at Larpool Hall and immediately joined the Cinder Track, the bed of the 21-mile disused railway from Whitby to Scarborough which closed in 1965. After 2½ miles we turned off towards the coast and followed the cliff top to pass by Whitby Abbey and explore the town. From Whitby, a climb took us up to re-join the Cinder Track and walk back across the Larpool Viaduct to Larpool Hall.

HF Larpool Hall

Whitby Circuit with diversions along the pier and to the Railway Station

Map of Whitby showing route from Railway Station towards Larpool House on the Cinder Track

The Cinder Track

Distant view of Whitby Abbey

Whitby Fog Signal (operational from 1903 until 1987). Note the twin roof-mounted 20-ft trumpets

Whitby High Lighthouse

Cliff-top walk back to Whitby

First view of Whitby pier

Whitby Abbey

Descending the 199 Whitby Abbey steps

Looking up the River Esk over Whitby Harbour

The famous Magpie Café - fish and chips for some but not me

£5 for a 20-minute trip out of the harbour

Whitby Pier

Herring Girl statues

Whitby's Swing Bridge

Larpool Viaduct Bridge taking the Cinder Track over the River Esk

View from the Larpool Viaduct. Heading back to Grosmont up the Esk Valley on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Wednesday, Grosmont, Goathland and Mallyan Spout

Today's walk took us from Grosmont Station on the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to the picturesque village of Beck Holes and then up the old Rail Trail to Goatland, a pretty village perched on the moors. A descent followed to Mallyan Spout before a return to Beck Hole and a level walk along the Rail Trail past the Esk Valley Mine to Grosmont.