Borrowby is a Hillside village which indicates there are hills to climb when you go out for a walk...but here’s 3 flat alternatives.
Walk 1) The H.RAP field
When you turn off the A19 south of Borrowby you pass the Hillside Rural Activities Park.
It was the brainchild of a local lady, who was secretary for the local show. She mustered the support of the local
scout group and many others to raise funds for what is now a fantastic space, well used by locals. Borrowby Show,
Beavers & Scouts, Music festivals, Dog Shows, Horse Shows, Weddings, and Sports of all descriptions. I regularly
visit with my 4 grandchildren the brilliant children's play area with its zip wire, slides and swings (no dogs allowed in
play area).
With plenty of parking space, and walking round the perimeter is about a mile. Takes 25 minutes. (If you walk from the Lodge add another 20 minutes / 5 minutes in the car) Dog friendly, its a grass pathway & part of a well maintained sports field which is regularly cut in the summer...so easy underfoot and if dry OK for cycles. Half way round you will find some keep fit apparatus if you need some extra toning!
Walk 2) Cod Beck Reservoir, Osmotherly. (Sheep Wash)
A great 40 minute walk for all the family on a well maintained track around the Resevoir at the foot of the
Hambleton hills and woodland area just outside the village of Osmotherly.
15 minutes drive from the Lodge. Turn right out of the entrance, right at the crossroads and north on the A19 for about 4 miles. Follow signs for Osmotherly village. At the Village Cross in the centre of the village, turn left. Follow the road for couple of miles until you get to the reservoir. The village streets are quite narrow and also the road to the reservoir. Parking can be tricky at busy times, such as sunny weekends. The track around the reservoir is pushchair, cycle and dog friendly so suits all all ages.
Walk 3) The Blue Plaque trail, Thirsk (a short historical journey round the market town of Thirsk)
The guide to this walk is in the Lodge information, or you can download.
Download Map Here. Takes about 90 minutes.
My version would be to start at Tesco car park which is free for an hour or so and there is normally plenty of parking space. Starting here you have skipped to No 7 former site of Bamlett’s Agricultural Engineering Works established in 1860. If you turn into the left hand side of the car park you are handy for crossing the busy crossroads/mini roundabout to No.8 the Court House, where there is a great little coffee shop housed in an art gallery. Continue past and onto No 9 & 10. When you get to 20, then you can go back to No 1 and so on.
You certainly get to know Thirsk a bit better on this walk, and there are some great small independent cafes and shops. You will get to know a bit about our local heroes past & present...and might even bump into a Yorkshire Vet!
Thanks for reading, enjoy the walks.
