Aycliffe Fell Walking Club enjoyed a tremendous December day of walks in the North Yorkshire area of the Rye Valley from Chop Gate to Helmsley. Whilst many enjoyed a shorter circular route from Helmsley visiting the grounds and buildings of Rievaulx Abbey, others tackled longer walks from Chop Gate and places along the B1257. We got off the coach at Fangdale Beck, passed by a group of alpacas and climbed steadily up to the ridge above Long Hill and Hawnby Crags. We dropped into Hawnby, resisting the temptation to call in at The Owl, and soldiered onward towards the Rye Valley. Despite the light dusting of overnight snow, hardly any fell during the day but the fog did present a little threat as we went into the afternoon. We met up with a group of walkers from Manchester Children’s Hospital whilst on their annual walk in the area and then a large group of AFWC walkers near Rievaulx Bridge before making our way up Whinney Bank eventually dropping into a very misty Helmsley for a well-earned drink with a number of our walkers at the Helmsley Brewery. Following that, we all met up at the Black Swan for some Christmas food and the traditional Christmas quiz organised by Tim and Geoff.
2023 sees the release of a new calendar of walks with a long-awaited return to the Lake District in February and the summer months:
Date Walk Area
14.01 Clayhill/ Fridaythorpe to Malton East Yorks
11.02 Workington Hall/Keswick to Cockermouth North Lakes
11.03 Arncliffe and Malham to Grassington York Dales
15.04 Scarborough to Filey NYM
13.05 Patterdale to Ambleside Lakes
10.06 Ingleton to Horton in Ribblesdale York Dales
08.07 Elterwater to Langdale Fells Lakes
12.08 Hartsop to Ambleside Lakes
09.09 Tower Lodge to Lancaster Lancashire
14.10 Bellingham to Hexham N’berland
11.11 Ravenstonedale to Sedburgh Howgills
09.12 Saltburn to Whitby N York Coast
23-25 June WEEKEND AWAY TBA
It should be noted that AFWC outings involve enough choice so that if you are new to walking, you can choose a shorter walk whilst braver and more experienced walkers may choose the longer and more demanding routes. There are walks for everyone’s needs at a cost (to cover the coach) of only £15 per person per outing. Annual club membership is only £10 per person. The coach picks up walkers in Darlington, Aycliffe Village, Newton Aycliffe, Middridge, Shildon, South Church and Bishop Auckland and frequently Barnard Castle and the Premier Inn at Stockton, if on route.
If you are interested in joining us on one or more of our walks, visit our website www.aycliffefellwalkingclub.com and book a seat on the coach using the online form.