Harome is a small and pretty village in the Ryedale area of North Yorkshire, not too far from Helmsley. I was staying at the wonderful Pheasant Inn within the village so it was a great opportunity to take a walk from straight out the front door. Fresh air, a good leg stretcher, as well as enjoying the local area and another nearby village, Nunnington.
The staff at the Pheasant Inn are wonderful and when asked they armed me with so many choices of walk. They had route cards ready for walks large and small. I took the sheet that described the walk across the countryside to Nunnington, 3 or 4 miles away, and off we went. The dogs were going to have muddy fun too.
Walking out of the accommodation we headed down the wide main street. Being such a small and quaint village it was so quiet and peaceful. Looking down the road you could see many of the listed buildings and homes along it. Many with thatched roofs as well.
It wasn’t long before the route had us in the greenery of the open countryside. Respecting the crops growing in the fields you navigate around the edges of the fields, over styles, little brook bridges and looking out to great views of Ryedale. This walk crosses the River Riccal and then the River Rye just before Nunnington.
Of course the hounds loved it. The drizzle didn’t hamper any spirits. You may be in a flat area of Yorkshire but from here you are surrounded by the North Yorkshire Moors and the Yorkshire Wolds. If you are staying in the area or the Inn at Harome for a short while this walk would help get local bearings, a taste of the area and a springboard to other local adventures like York which is less than 20 miles away or the Kilburn White Horse in the hills just 12 miles away.
It was Autumn as we walked along the hedges. The yellows and browns gave way to glorious blues and purples from the berries and fruits adorning them.
Yorkshire is such a vast county and although the typical stereotypical scene is dales and sheep, this area is very much a mix of livestock and crop, vegetable farming. One field could have corn or potatoes growing, the next could have a few cows or a bull in.
I reached a track that led us into Nunnington itself. Again a very pretty village with plenty of history.
As soon as you cross the Rye you are brought out into a main street. Again so peaceful, quiet and quaint.
It is worth a walk all around the village just to get a sense of it. Hidden little roads and tracks as well as buildings of historical importance.
The most famous building here is perhaps Nunnington Hall itself. It is closed for the winter months so unfortunately was unable to get to see it in its glory. An excuse to come back for sure.
At the top of the village is the church. A church unusually dedicated twice and is named All Saints and St James Church. Parts of the church date back as far as the 13th Century, but is thought a couple of the windows date back to the 12th Century.
The church site most probably had religious significance before that too. Fragments of crosses have been found beneath the churchyard that date back to the 10 and 11th century. A church has been mentioned as being here as far back as the 8th Century.
I must enjoy exploring the quaint villages of North Yorkshire on my walks and travels as a sign post in Nunnington pointed to the next village along, Slingsby, just 4 miles away it was another place I have visited and stayed in the past, and enjoyed.
It was time to head back into the countryside and back to afternoon tea at the Inn in Harome.
We got back just in time to see one of the villagers walking her geese. They were better controlled than a lot of dogs I know.
A lovely day of walking. A lovely day in the fresh air. A lovely day of seeing and learning too.
Time for a good cup of tea.
