Lockton to Levisham, N Yorks

[Tinkerbell]

We spent a wonderful few hours yesterday walking from Lockton through to Levisham, which are villages situated on the very edge of the Yorkshire Moors. Historically interesting, with many more local facilities in the early 20th century, there is still a village shop and cafe in Lockton though not open yesterday, plus a Youth Hostel. Levisham has a hotel, plus the Horseshoe pub - which was fortunately open for food and drink! These together with bed and breakfast and self catering accommodation locally certainly attract the walking fraternity, and there were several of us about yesterday enjoying the lovely sunshine and blue skies. Good legs are required if you are making your access from the North Yorkshire Moors Railway Levisham station but if you have the energy and the will, the walk is well worth the effort.

Most of our walk was on the road - with one particularly great view at the top across to the Hole of Horcum - and is very steep in both directions as you make your way down from Lockton to the valley bottom, where there is an old mill - now a home - but which still retains its mill wheel. Then you climb steeply up as you approach Levisham. Some of this route we managed to do off road but the hilly terrain and slippery surfaces made this somewhat iffy, so we stuck to the road on the way back. However, in good conditions there are several off road paths available.

Up through Levisham we then took the 'No through road' turn and when the road continued sharply to the left, we hopped over a stile and proceeded through a couple of fields 'til we came to the edge of the escarpment. With trees bare of leaf, the views were stunning and we could just make out Levisham station below to our right. The peace and quiet were marvellous, as was the sight of a local farmer working with his dog.

Then back to do the walk in reverse, minus the off road paths. As we made our way down from Levisham we saw the track to the right which leads to the derelict St Mary's Church, an archaelogical project for the local Past and Present Group.

Returning to Lockton, we wandered around the village with it's mix of residential properties and working farms, before heading home. A superb way to spend a few January hours. (I found a walking stick to be an invaluable asset and found this walk much easier on a cooler day, than during summer heat).

Tinkerbell

[foxy mars]

It is a superb area for walking and also cycling and been to the Lockton Youth Hostel, well worth a visit.

I've done a lot of walking in the Levisham/Lockton area over the years and when I was staying at the hostel, I did this circular walk. Sleight's Road (track) Farwath, Keldgate Slack, Levisham, footpath north of Lockton. Although I think the paths will be a bit muddy at the time of the year, but in the summer, very good.

There is a interesting well in Lockton, going back 100's of years.

[ChrisJB]

A nice account of an interesting sounding walk Tinkerbell. I've made a mental note of the area for future reference. I have to say, it is not an area I know that well (though have been on the wonderful North York Moors Railway from Goathland to Pickering) and although I stay at many youth hostels, I've never made it to Lockton. Most of my Yorkshire hikes take me up to the Dales, but I really should look to new places in the county.

Regards, Chris