THE origins of Osgodby as an ancient village started with Asgaut’s Farm and is of Norse origin.

The name of the village evolved through Asgozbi, Angotby, Osgodbi to the present Osgodby.

Before the Norman Conquest Osgodby was part of Tosti’s Manor of Falsgrave then, after changing hands a couple of times in the 13th century it was included as part of the Duchy of Lancaster’s estate of the Manor of the Forest of Pickering.

The Manor then passed to the Wyvills of Slingsby Castle who lived at Osgodby in Wyvill Hall; the hall was situated where the Poacher’s Barn pub now stands and had fishponds as part of the estate. There would also have been a chapel nearby the hall and some farm workers cottages which amounted to, at its peak, about 50 dwellings.

The village survived through the 14th and 15th centuries being a farming community then declined as arable farming gave way to the more profitable sheep farming. This had a serious effect on Osgodby as farm labourers were no longer wanted in such high numbers as sheep farming was less labour intensive. The demand for wool on the continent was high but another market soon developed in this country to increase demand as the woollen mills of the West Riding grew.

Eventually farming changed once more as a recession in wool trade developed and farmers returned to arable for food production to feed the exploding population in English cities. By this time the Wyvills were a powerful concern in England before John Wyvill made a bad decision.

He became involved in the Pilgrimage of Grace and in 1537 he and his men marched on Scarborough Castle intending to proclaim a siege. However, he was soon put to flight then captured and executed; his body hung in chains at the castle.

The Wyvills held the Manor of Osgodby until the civil war and this time another disastrous decision was taken – to support the Royalists.

Eventually the estate was forfeited to Parliament but when they wanted to raise money Parliament sold, at an inflated price, the Osgodby estate back to the Wyvills in 1644.

The direct line of the Wyvills faded and the estate was inherited by Marmaduke Wyvill of Constable Burton. Marmaduke already owned a large house and estate so the Manor of Osgodby was left to slide into ruin, the stone from the Manor House taken and used to build two farms on the site.

There is not much history left to see at Osgodby today as the expansion of Scarborough creeps towards its southern boundaries with the building of new houses.

But if you want to know what it feels like to live in a large house like the Wyvills I suggest you take some refreshment in the Poacher’s Barn pub, which was built on the site of the hall with its adjoining chapel, it’s the nearest you will get to a Manor House or Asgaut’s Farm at Osgodby.


Your route

Starting from the harbour at Scarborough walk away from the castle along to the Spa, continue along past the Spa along the promenade until the path ends.

Keep straight ahead on a wide, stony road/path and soon start to climb to the top of the cliff. Keep on this path past the car park then enter a thicket of bushes signed as Cleveland Way and Filey onto a narrow, cliff path.

Eventually follow the path up to a golf course and continue along the side of the course dodging stray golf balls.

The path from here to Osgodby can be quite muddy at times especially where the cliff is eroding, please take a wide detour around the erosion, there is plenty of room to the right of the existing path.

Further along the coast you will see a remaining pill box at the bottom of the cliff, presumably fallen down there with the eroding cliff. Pill boxes were used as armed lookouts during the war and were built of stout, hard concrete, but even now after 70 years it has taken nature to destroy them.

Eventually descend a narrow, muddy path to a wide stony track, go right here to climb to the cliff top. Turn left now signed Cleveland Way to walk towards the houses of the eroding Knipe Point, go right as directed at the knipe point fence signed Cleveland Way to gently ascend a path at the rear of the houses to reach the road.

You have now reached Osgodby, or Asgozbi as it was known in 1086. If you would like to go to the Poacher’s Barn pub for some refreshment turn left along the roadside footpath then soon turn right down the hill.

Keep on the roadside footpath and when you reach the double bends you will see the pub on your right. Enjoy your refreshment then return to the top of the hill. If you are not partaking of refreshment turn right from the path to walk downhill towards Scarborough.

Keep on the footpath all the way to the traffic lights, turn right here then at the crossroads go left. Walk down the hill then just past the “road chicane” go right onto Esplanade Crescent. Follow the footpath onto The Esplanade and enjoy the grand views as you pass the Old Clock Tower and many fine buildings. Keep on the wide footpath at all times keeping close to the cliff edge.

When you reach the Crown Spa Hotel walk past it to a bend in the road. You must leave The Esplanade now to keep straight ahead downhill to a bridge. Do not cross the bridge, turn immediately right past the Swiss Cottage which was once the Spa manager’s residence, then keep left at the fork and downhill to the spa. Go left here to return to the Harbour.


The facts

Distance - 5½miles/9km (including a trip to the Poacher’s Barn pub)
Time – Two hours, or more if eating in the pub
Terrain – Muddy cliff paths in places
Best map – OS Outdoor Leisure 27
Start/grid ref – Scarborough Harbour GR: 047888
Parking – Town car parks. Marine Drive is usually free in winter – check notice on machines
Refreshments – Poacher’s Barn pub Osgodby, off route. Scarborough Spa Café. Plenty of choice around the harbour
Stiles – None
Public toilets – On pier adjacent to harbour