A 16-mile walk on tracks and paths around historic Howden, a delightful way of exploring rural Howdenshire
The whole of this walk is defined white disc, affixed to each way mark arrow (p) in this text signifies Waymarker Posts.
The walk starts by turning right on leaving Eastrington Amenity Area (Car Park) proceed on the right hand side of the road over the railway bridge (beware of traffic) and walk past Filbert Grove Farm on your left. At the bend in the road turn left at bridleway post (p) and proceed along the green lane known as Spenwood Lane, one of the several in this area. You pass Saltmarshe Grange on your left (p) and follow the metalled track straight ahead (Addle Lane) and over the M62 Motorway crossing over the cattle grid (p) to meet the Howden-Hull road, on the opposite side of the road, slightly to your right is a short green lane known as Mortar Lane (p) go along this and bear right after about 100 yards.
On reaching the narrow metalled lane bear left and proceed along it for about 200 yards to meet Skelton Broad Lane (p) with a deep drain on the left hand side. This is a virtually unspoilt green lane of about 1½ miles. Along the lane are two well preserved old red brick bridges spanning the drain, also further along is a large mound of earth over 10 feet high which was used as rifle butts in the early part of this century by members of the local militia, the land is known locally as {Butt} Lane.
The lane ends at Trandy Corner where it meets the road to Laxton (p). Turn right (p) and take the bridleway across the large field to Kilpin. Look for the marker post at the other side of the field and walk in a straight line towards it. On reaching the road in Kilpin bear right and walk about 40 yards before turning left to walk between the cottage and the former factory buildings (p).
Follow this bridleway to Howdendyke, keeping the ditch and trees on your left. The footpath halfway along on your left is known as Jenny Hudscroft Lane. Although the route follows the edge of cultivated farmland it is hoped in time that the route will become more defined. On reaching the tarmac lane near the office block (p) bear right and with extreme caution follow the road for about 400 metres, then turn left at the houses into what is left of the village, passing the W.M. Club and Post Office. Turn right over the small hump bridge at Creek House and follow the Howden 20 route along the river bank passing under the Ouse Bridge carrying the M62 which was opened in 1975, to the much older Boothferry Bridge which was opened in 1929 and replaced the old ferry (p).
Pass under Boothferry Bridge and leave the river bank on reaching two white cottages the first of which was the former Percy Arms Inn very popular in the days of the ferry. At low tide the remains of the ferry structure can be seen in the muddy river bank. Standing to the right is a former farm house, over 300 years old, which has recently been renovated, and other buildings converted to living accommodation. It was close to here in the 19th century that Snowden Dunhill - local villain and corn thief was reputed to have been shot, but evaded capture by escaping over the river. Turn right further along the track (p) leaving the river behind, the track straight ahead is named Pinfold Lane and takes us to the historically interesting hamlet of Knedlington (p).
Before turning left along the road at the end take note that the field facing is the site of a former Quaker Burial Ground. Walking along the road towards Asselby pass Knedlington Hall on the right - reputed to date back to at least the 12th century and having connections with Howden Minster and the Bishops of Durham. It has an oak panelled room at the front with an ancient fireplace and one of the windows bearing the same coat of arms. There is also one in a window of Howden Minster. A member of the well-known Percy family {was} hidden in a cupboard in the room after fleeing a battle at nearby Hemingbrough during the Civil War.
Walk along the road towards Asselby, at a bend in the road turn left (p) along a footpath, after about 150 yards turn right (p) and follow the track for another 300 yards, then turn right again (p) and along the route that leads into Asselby. If you are intending to stop for refreshments here, take the next left turn, around the back of the village and head for the Black Swan public house, where you will be made welcome.
On leaving the Black Swan turn left and walk along the road through the centre of this village, noting on your left the decorative plaque on the wall of Eel Hall Farm, a connection with the eel fishing practiced in the area many years ago. At the end of the village just on the 'S' bend in the road, turn sharp right and after about 50 yards take the path on your left (p) at the end of the row of conifers. Follow field side paths crossing the line of the former Hull & Barnsley railway track. When you reach the footbridge (p) at the end of the second field make for the row of oak trees immediately opposite, across the field (p). Follow marker posts along the field edge towards Warp Farm, Newsholme. Just before the farmyard take the path to your left, cross the stile into the meadow, your route is straight ahead to the stile in the opposite corner. At this stile turn sharp right along a fieldside path, which brings you out at the Howden to Selby road (A 63). Cross this road with great care and walk eastwards towards Howden for about 100 yards.
At the road junction turn left and walk past the telephone kiosk. The route goes to the left of the farm towards Brind. Follow the green track towards a row of oak trees (p), go straight ahead keeping them always on your left. On reaching the hedge ahead of you turn left at the marker post, keeping the hedge on your left and follow the field side path around die inside of the very large 'prairie type' area, making for the oak tree in the hedge corner (p), 45 degrees to your left, head for the marker which can be seen to the left of the raised ground, which is the site of Prickett Hill farmhouse. We then follow the track leading to the black gate at the railway crossing at Brind (p).
The track from the right is the Howden 20 route, which is followed for a distance through the village, take extreme care when crossing the railway. Just past the telephone box turn right near Orchard Farm (p). Cross the small footbridge and walk through two grass fields to a stile in the corner. A second stile immediately opposite leads to another field. The route is along the line of oak trees slightly to your right (p). Near the end of the trees (p) turn right and make for the stile in the fence straight ahead. Cross the railway line taking great care. Cross the stile into the next field and cross the field diagonally to come out on the Howden to Bubwith road - B1228. (p).
Turn left along the roadside footpath towards North Howden railway station, and then turn right opposite the Barnes Wallis public house (p). This pub is so named because of the local association with the well-known inventor of the 'bouncing bomb' and Wellington Bomber both used in World War II. Proceed along the green lane, which takes you back over the railway, this is known as Drain Lane, and eventually brings you out at Caville Bridge. Drain Lane like many others in the area is a botanists' and bird-watcher's delight at any time of the year.
On reaching the Howden to Holme-on-Spalding Moor road, the A614 (p) take great care and cross over, turning left to walk alongside the road for about 100 yards, walk preferably facing oncoming traffic. This road can be very busy with holiday traffic at certain times of the year. Take the bridleway to Burland (p) on your right and just before reaching the two Copper Beech trees turn right (p), taking the path diagonally across the field, turning right at the field edge (p) and follow the tree-lined bridleway across the railway, (again taking great care) to come out on the opposite side of the road to the beginning of the walk.