East Ayton

Mary had lived in the Lake District in her childhood, but had recently moved along the road to Wykeham to Gallow Hill (now known as Gallows Hill).

She had lived there for two years and William had to travel from the Lake District to Brompton to make his wedding plans.

He left his home at Dove Cottage riding part of the way to Keswick.

With a mixture of walking, coach and horse riding, he arrived in Thirsk in mid-July.

He then walked via Rievaulx and into Helmsley. Then onto Kirkbymoorside and eventually to Brompton where he married his sweetheart at the village church.

William had visited the area on other occasions and he must have seen the profusion of spring daffodils around Brompton.

Was he inspired to write his famous poem by the local daffodils at Brompton and Gallow Hill? Or is the inspiration due to the daffodils on the shores of Ullswater in the Lake District?

We will never know for sure, but as you ride through Brompton I know you will be inspired by the golden host of nodding heads alongside the water near the church - as I am sure William Wordsworth would have been.

The Facts:

Distance: 20 miles (32km).

Grading: Moderate.

Terrain: One very steep downhill.

Best Maps: OS Landranger 101.

Start/Grid Ref: Forge Valley adjacent to East and West Ayton, grid ref 859986.

Refreshments: Pubs in Ayton, Wykeham, Brompton and on route. Cafe at Wykeham.

Guide Book: Exploring Ryedale, Moor and Wold by bicycle by J Brian Beadle published by Trailblazer at £1.95 contains routes in the same area. Available from book shops, Dalby Forest visitor centre and tourist information centres.

Your Route:

Starting in Forge Valley, head towards Ayton. At the T-junction with the A170, turn right with care following the sign for Thirsk.

Further along the route you reach Wykeham where refreshment can be taken at the tea rooms or the Downe Arms.

Climb the hill past Rudston village, then at the bottom of the hill turn left onto a narrow road at the sign for Wykeham Nurseries.

Enjoy this rural ride through the Wykeham Estate but watch out for the two double bends.

In about three miles you reach a T-junction. Go right here, which is signposted to Brompton, and enjoy views across the valley to Wykeham Forest in the distance.

As you enter Brompton pass the cricket field on your right, then take the next road to the left signed to Snainton Carrs.

Cycle along this narrow road and over a small bridge, continue past some cottages on the left, then as the road goes left, turn right along an even narrower road which takes you into Brompton village and past the church.

At the church look on the right for a public footpath sign. Along the path by the water are many daffodils, and if you are lucky you might see a swan's nest.

Continue along to a T-junction where you should turn left and in a short distance turn right onto the busy A170.

Climb the hill past the Cayley Arms and before you leave the speed restriction turn left signed to Sawdon. Not far and the road turns sharp right.

Leave the road here to take the track straight ahead called Wood Gate Way.

This track is rough in places but keep straight ahead and in just over two miles you join a narrow road. Bear left here onto the road, it is a long climb to the top and in another two miles keep straight ahead onto a forest road, ignoring the road on the right.

In about one mile you arrive at a crossroad of tracks. Go left here to start a very steep descent into the tiny village of Wrench Green. Watch out for the tight, loose-surfaced corners!

Follow the road round to the right, left, right and left then over a bridge across the River Derwent to the road.

Turn right here and climb a short, sharp hill to the Everley Country Hotel for some refreshment.

Continue past the Everley then downhill to the double bends at Mowthorpe Bridge. The bridge crosses the sea cut which takes floodwater away from the River Derwent to the sea.

Continue straight ahead now towards Forge Valley where the road climbs and veers right. Cycle through Forge Valley towards Ayton to return to your parking area.

Updated: 11:19 Wednesday, March 16, 2005