Weekly Walking Roundup: Your Best Walks This Week

Welcome to this week's walking roundup! We've curated the best circular walks and countryside destinations from The White Shire blog. Whether you're looking for a gentle stroll or a more challenging hike, there's something for everyone this week.

Featured Walks This Week

1. Brayton Circular Walk - 4.74 miles

Explore the history of Brayton, a Yorkshire village with deep roots dating back to 1030. This walk takes you through a tier-1 settlement that beautifully balances its historic core with modern growth. Discover St Wilfrid's Church and the Grade II listed Brayton Tunnel on the Selby Canal, completed in 1778 by engineer William Jessop.

2. Cawood Circular Walk - 5.75 miles

Discover Cawood, a picturesque village on the banks of the River Ouse, just 11 miles south of York. This historic river settlement served as the residence of the Archbishops of York for over 500 years. The impressive Cawood Castle Gatehouse, built in the 15th century, once welcomed English kings including Henry VIII and Elizabeth I. Enjoy peaceful riverside walks and explore the village's rich medieval heritage.

3. Spalding-Moor Circular Walk - 5.26 miles

Experience the unique landscape of Spalding Moor in the East Riding of Yorkshire. This historic area of low-lying land was once a wetland and fenland, gradually transformed into fertile farmland through drainage schemes. The flat terrain makes it ideal for family-friendly walks and wildlife spotting, with opportunities to see wetland birds and hedgerow mammals.

4. Clayton Circular Walk - 4.58 miles

Visit Clayton, a traditional Yorkshire village just west of Doncaster. The name originates from Old English 'claeg tun', meaning 'settlement on clay soil'. This medieval village retains its peaceful countryside charm, surrounded by open fields, woodland edges, and quiet country lanes perfect for leisurely walks.

5. Barnburgh Circular Walk - 4.58 miles

Explore Barnburgh, a charming rural village in South Yorkshire with roots stretching back to Saxon times. The village is famous for the 'Cat and Man' legend at St Peter's Church, dating from the 12th century. With its deep heritage and access to the Dearne Valley's walking trails, Barnburgh makes an excellent starting point for countryside exploration.

6. Helmsley Circular Walk - 4 miles

Discover Helmsley, one of Yorkshire's prettiest market towns at the southern edge of the North York Moors National Park. This historic town, first mentioned in the Domesday Book as 'Elmeslac', is home to the impressive Helmsley Castle and the grand Duncombe Park estate. The Cleveland Way, a 109-mile National Trail, begins here.

7. Thorner Circular Walk - 4.14 miles

Just eight miles north-east of Leeds, Thorner is one of West Yorkshire's most picturesque villages. With roots stretching back to Anglo-Saxon times, this village offers rolling farmland, ancient woodland, and quiet bridleways. Explore the 12th-century St Peter's Church and enjoy scenic views across the Wharfe Valley.

8. Dearne Valley Park - 3.43 miles

Experience Dearne Valley Park near Wombwell in South Yorkshire, a modern leisure and countryside park that has transformed the historic Dearne Valley into a public green space. This excellent example of urban regeneration features well-maintained paths, woodlands, ponds, and interpretive panels detailing the valley's coal-mining past.

Also Featured This Week

Don't miss our in-depth articles on Wharram Percy, one of England's most extensively studied deserted medieval villages, and The Fascinating Stories Behind England's Lost Villages, which explores the history and heritage of vanished communities across the country.

Plan Your Week

Whether you prefer short strolls or longer hikes, this week's selection offers something for every walker. From historic villages to scenic countryside, each walk tells a story of Yorkshire's rich heritage and natural beauty. Choose your favourite and get out exploring!

Happy walking!

The White Shire East Yorkshire Walks

Weekly Walking Roundup: Your Best Walks This Week

Weekly Walking Roundup: Your Best Walks This Week