Exploring Yorkshire With Sharon Malone - Sutton Bank, Dalby Forest and The North Yorkshire Moors
Exploring Yorkshire With Sharon Malone - Sutton Bank
, Dalby Forest and The North Yorkshire MoorsSome of the most breathtaking scenery can be found around Sutton Bank, The North Yorkshire Moors and Dalby Forest. Join me on a quick tour around the area!Sutton Bank and The White HorseI have always wondered at the skill and vision of the people who created the image of a Horse on the hillside at Kilburn on Sutton Bank. It was actually the idea of the local school master in 1857 who decided his pupils should mark out the outline of a horse and then the local villagers came and cut out the turf. From a distance you could be forgiven for thinking the horse is made from chalk. It isn't. The bank on which its cut out is actually grey sandstone with only a very thin covering of chalk so the horse is actually made from pebbles which are then painted with white wash and have to be repainted as the white colour wears off. So please, if you decide to visit the White Horse do not walk on the actual horse!The view from the top, where the Yorkshire Gliding Club is situated is breathtaking and on a clear day you can see right out across the Vale of York. At the bottom of the bank where the horse is painted there is a car park from where you can choose to walk up the steps to the top of the horse or along one of the many woodland walks at the base. At the top of the bank you will find the White Horse visitor centre which has a gift shop, a caf and display areas. From here you can pick up leaflets of planned walks of the area or take a Moors bus for a very reasonable cost for those who would like to roam further afield.The closest village to the White Horse is Kilburn, famous for its "Mouseman" furniture of craftsman Richard Thompson. There is a showroom and visitor centre with lots of information about the passion and skill of one man went on to see a little North Yorkshire village become famous for hand carved oak furniture not only in England but across the globe.Dalby ForestSituated on the southern slopes of the North Yorkshire Moors National Park, Dalby Forest with its 9 mile long forest drive is one of our all time favourite haunts. With clear streams - originating from springs - running through the centre of the Forest and a variety of different species of trees and wildlife the scenery is nothing short of spectacular and varied. The southern end of the forest is divided by a number of valleys whilst the northern end of the forest sits on an upland plateau. A lake has been created at Staindale and close by one can walk uphill to visit the "Bridestones" - a National Trust managed area which has peculiarly shaped rocks, heather, moorland and ancient woodland.Wildlife abounds at Dalby Forest which is home to birds such as the Crossbill and Nightjar. Roe Deer and Badgers also inhabit the forest but are very elusive and only the very fortunate catch a glimpse of them in their natural habitat.Although formed in the Ice Age the forest has been shaped by the people from the Bronze Age through to the present day and this evolution continues. Recent years has seen the development of specially designated picnic and barbeque areas along with children's playgrounds, challenging adventure courses along the canopy of the forest, visitor centre caf, bike hire shop and arts workshops. Aside from mountain biking and walking there are also organized orienteering trails for which maps are available from the visitors centre. Situated as it is very close to the picturesque village of Thornton-Le-Dale, Dalby Forest makes a fantastic family day out.The North Yorkshire MoorsThere is very little to equal the beauty of the rugged North Yorkshire Moors. I feel very privileged to live so close to such beautiful scenery of the Moors and Dales. It is to the Moors that I have "run" at various times in my life for different reasons. My favourite route takes me past the railway station in Pickering, over a ford, by Cropton Forest along a roman road and eventually into Goathland. We often stop and take a picnic lunch at the ford along with a little walk along the banks of the fast flowing stream.The colours of the moors from the glorious purple heather and green ferns to the brown vegetation and yellow gorse bushes seem to suit every mood. If you are lucky you will see a steam train puffing its way along its route from Grosmont to Pickering. A simply fantastic night out in the summer can be had by taking a trip on the North Yorkshire Moors dinner train, experience fine dining and the most beautiful scenery as you travel. In winter a simply magical trip to take with young children is on the "Santa Special" steam train from Pickering. During the journey children will meet Father Christmas and if they are lucky his daughter Mary Christmas and his little helper elves.One of my all time favourite pubs can be found on the moors - The Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge - just past Kirbymoorside and the beautiful village of Huttton-Le-Hole, home of the Ryedale Folk Museum - which is well worth a visit and is like stepping back into yesteryear.All these areas make a fantastic day out. Whether you choose to take a simple picnic with you or to perhaps discover the friendly hospitality of one of the many local pubs or tea rooms one thing is for certain you will not be disappointed with the scenery.