Country walk from Sandsend to Kettleness

You may have heard of the fishermen at Skinningrove who caught a merman and held him in captivity for several weeks, keeping him alive by feeding him raw fish.

You are bound to know about Runswick Bay and their Hob who lives along the cliff and is capable of curing whooping cough, and you might know about the black beast that lurks around the old railway tunnel at Sandsend.

But have you heard this very strange tale of mysterious goings on at the tiny village of Kettleness?

Kettleness is situated close to the cliff between Runswick Bay and Sandsend and one misty day two men looked out from the cliffs into the murky sea.

Suddenly and silently a huge hound appeared, moving menacingly towards them. They were in fear of their lives as the beast approached, then as suddenly as it appeared it faded away, leaving the stench of evil in the air.

This isn’t the end of the tale as, on another occasion, the beast was seen again, this time menacing a clergyman and his friend.

Fortunately the priest had a bottle of Holy Water which sprinkled in front of the beast commanding it in the name of Christ to be gone.

The beast de-materialised and faded away. Years later it transpired that the local fishermen had seen a huge black dog appear, then fade away more than once.

Is there really a beast? Or is the mind playing tricks when the light and atmosphere is right? No one can tell for sure, but as you walk near Kettleness or Sandsend and the sea goes misty as the sky darkens and you see the beast, remember, Dracula resides just five miles away at Whitby.

Your route

Leave the car park at Sandsend from the rear left hand corner and climb the steps onto the old railway track bearing right.

Soon pass the moonscape on your right which was the alum works, and, on the left, the old quarries. The cliff views are outstanding all the way on this walk.

After about a mile you approach an old railway tunnel which is sealed. Keep an eye out for a huge black dog.

Before the tunnel, keep right onto a narrow, ascending path which soon becomes steep, then steeper. There are slippery stones to negotiate and wooden ladders to climb to eventually reach the cliff path above.

Climbing gently now, keep straight ahead along the path for about half a mile to a signpost. Go left here signed to Lythe.

Keep the fence on your right and when you meet another track, go right towards the farm. At the farm drive, keep straight ahead signed to Goldsborough.

Not far now to a quiet road where you must turn right, then left around a sharp bend to walk into the village.

The first building to greet you in Goldsborough is the Fox & Hounds Inn, a superb restaurant. Unfortunately they do not serve light snacks.

Carry on through the village, then bear right at the sign for Kettleness. Enjoy the grand views along the coast.

On your left is Runswick Bay, the chimneys of the potash mine and in the distance the high cliffs of Boulby. On your right the view extends to Whitby and beyond.

Continue along as the road starts to descend towards Kettleness. There is a small chapel on the right and further right is where the Roman signal station was.

As you arrive at Kettleness, the first building on the left is the old railway station house, now an outdoor centre.

The track of the old railway is still visible as it makes its way to Runswick Bay.

Walk along past the railway station into the village, then go right along a wide track signed to Sandsend and Cleveland Way. Pass by a gate onto the cliff path and enjoy the views again across the bay to Runswick.

As you climb along the cliff path you will see beneath you on the undercliff the remains of the old alum workings. It was here that the fossilised remains of two Plesiosaurs were found.

The Plesiosaur was about 12 feet long with a large body and a long neck with a small head. It is about 180 million years since the Plesiosuars swam the seas.

As you walk along the cliff path, please take care as the cliffs are high, steep and usually unguarded. Pass through the odd gate and over a couple of stiles, then keep straight on at the sign for Sandsend.

In about half a mile you must descend on the path which you struggled to climb on your outward journey to take you back to the railway path.

Continue along for about a mile to return to Sandsend and some refreshment.

Country walk facts

Distance – Seven miles (11km).

Time – Three hours.

Grading – Easy, but with a hard, slippery, stepped ascent and descent.

Start/grid ref – Sandsend, grid ref 860131.

Best map – OS Outdoor Leisure 27.

Parking – Sandsend car park.

Refreshments – Café adjacent to car park. The wooden tea rooms over the beck on the Whitby road, pub just over the bridge.

Public toilets – At the entrance to the car park.

Guide book – Walking into History on the Dinosaur Coast by J Brian Beadle published by Trailblazer at £2.50, available from Trailblazer Outdoors in Pickering, book shops, NYMR stations, visitor centres and tourist information centres.