CASTLE Howard, majestic gem of Yorkshire, stands where the original castle and village of Hinderskelf once stood.
Hinderskelf Castle was constructed early in the 14th century but was in ruins before the 15th century.
It wasn’t until 1683 that it was rebuilt, only to be destroyed by fire 10 years later, and the remains demolished several years later to make way for the building of Castle Howard.
The castle and manor of Hinderskelf was given to Sir Humphrey Lascelles by King Rufus. It included the land adjoining and reaching as far as Stamford Bridge and Lastingham. Sir Humphrey died at Hinderskelf in 1102 and is buried in Old Malton.
The Hinderskelf castle building would have been square with a tower at each corner and could be termed as a towerhouse, similar to a pele tower, with fortifications probably added at a later date to become a fortified manor house. However, no remains exist today.
The result of a Time Team excavation was that the village had been flattened when it was demolished.
An entire village was removed without trace to give the owners of Castle Howard a better view.
Your route
Take the path on the grass verge and walk past the old woodyard and the village. In a few paces turn right through a gate at the signpost for Bog Hall and join a wide driveway. Enjoy the walk through Hinderskelfe countryside with magnificent views all round. Follow the driveway towards the trees and keep straight ahead following signs for either Centenery Way or CW.
Eventually you reach a bridge. Keep straight on here up a short hill to arrive at the farmyard of Bog Hall. Bear left here away from Bog Hall, following the sign for Easthorpe. Continue straight ahead in and out of a wood and eventually you arrive at a junction of paths. Go left here, signed to Park House.
Go through a gate, then start a steep climb up the field on an obvious track. Soon it curves to the right to reach the top, and a seat for you to take a break and enjoy the view.
You will be able to see the Mausoleum with Welburn church spire behind in the distance. To the right is the Temple of the Four Winds and again in the distance behind the temple is the Pyramid.
Follow the track to the left now to soon reach the road. Cross the road and walk along the drive towards Easthorpe Business Park.
Before you reach the buildings go left at the blue waymark through a small gate into a field. Follow the path round the fence of the business park, then bear left onto the ridge path.
A change of scenery now, the view being across Ryedale towards the North York Moors and Bilsdale.
Follow the path on the edge of the wood for some time, then at the crossroad of tracks keep straight ahead signed to Slingsby Bank.
After about a mile, watch out for the signpost on your left, go left here into the wood signed to Coneysthorpe.
The path leads down a gully, sometimes churned up by horses if wet. At the bottom of the gully keep straight ahead, then follow the path left, then soon right as directed by blue waymarks.
Cross the field on this wide bridleway/tractor road until the tractor road goes left. You must go straight ahead and down a hedge-lined gully. Rejoin the wide track at the bottom and follow it along to a short climb into Coneysthorpe village.
Go past the church on your left and at the road turn right, then soon left at the crossroads to return to your transport.
The only refreshment nearby is at Castle Howard tea rooms at the garden centre or the pub at Welburn.
The facts
Distance – six miles/9.6km
Time – two hours
Start/parking – rough parking area near the Coneysthorpe village crossroads at the foot of Castle Howard lake, grid ref: 707713
Refreshments – café at Castle Howard in the courtyard or tea rooms at the Castle Howard Garden Centre, both have free parking. Alternatively try the pub in Welburn village
Public toilets – Castle Howard near the cafe
Guide book – Walking around the Howardian Hills by J Brian Beadle published by Trailblazer at £2.50 available from the Ryedale Rambler in Pickering, book shops, NYMR railway stations, visitor centres and tourist information centres
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