Barnard Castle Ramblers – Walk Report Saturday 2nd March 2013

On the 26th January 2013 a walk from Swainby round Scugdale was cancelled due to severe winter weather and was rescheduled for March 2nd. Come the day, the conditions could not have been more different than those of 5 weeks before. A group of 19 walkers assembled in the centre of Swainby under a bright blue sky, not quite time for the daffodils but the snowdrops (without the snow) were aplenty to add to the occasion. This was the first walk of the Spring Programme and it was quite a social occasion marking the end of the unpredictable winter weather which had adversely affected quite a few walks since December 2012.

Leaving the centre of Swainby with its nice new wooden footbridge we headed east along a narrow footpath towards the hamlet of Whorlton. The footpath runs along the back of the houses which lie on the road to Whorlton and is alongside a stream going in the same direction. It was interesting to see that most of the houses had a back gate giving access to the path, each having their own private and individually constructed little bridge over the stream, a bit like a scaled down version of a castle with a drawbridge over its moat.

After 200yds we were back on the country lane to Whorlton along with some respectable looking riders on horse back also enjoying the spring air. Another 200yds of walking along a perfectly normal country lane brought us to the unexpected but spectacular ruins of the Gate House at Whorlton Castle. The Gate House has been there since the since the 14th Century and although now derelict and neglected it is an impressive sight prompting more than one person to say “They don’t build em like they used to!”. Lots of photos and exploring later we had to drag some of the group away and continue along the road. Where the road bends round to the right just before the hamlet we carried straight on into the field on the path to Whorl Hill. The ground was still frozen hard after a cold night so was not too muddy and it is beginning to look as though things are actually beginning to dry out after more than 8 months of what seems like continuous rain. We were now beginning to gain height and the panorama of the Tees valley below was becoming visible with the promise of much more to come. At Whorl Hill Farm a well maintained forestry track led us through the trees over the 237 metre high Whorl Hill. In the undergrowth we could see the early signs of green shoots which we speculated must be bluebells preparing to cheer us up in a few weeks time. Once over the top of Whorl Hill we had a short break before walking down a perfectly straight and narrow path running through the trees to Bank Lane. We continued along the bridleway before crossing a field on a path leading through Live Moor Plantation to the base of Round Hill. We then joined the . An easy walk across the substantial reclaimed flagstones laid by the National Park Authority led us across Round Hill, Live Moor, Gold Hill, Holey Moor and on to the flat summit of Carlton Bank. By now we were on the top of the with spectacular views in every direction.

Near the unsightly disused and derelict Glider Station on Carlton Bank we had lunch while watching the many paragliders launching themselves off the cliff edge of Bank. As we relaxed there came the sound of hammering and sawing from the Glider Station. Following lunch we set off along the dirt track in the direction of the TV mast at Bilsdale. On passing the Glider Station we discovered the noise we were hearing was caused by a group of workmen who were at long last starting to demolish this eyesore. Further investigation has revealed that this work may have been partly funded by the North Yorks Moors Park Authority and the intention is to restore and re-vegetate the area which is still in theory classified as an airfield with restricted access.

After about a mile we came to the small oasis of Brian’s Pond on Clough Gill top. The question of who was Brian? and why he had a pond in the middle of the Moors named after him remained unanswered. At the crossroad just past the pond we headed South East on the least conspicuous path across the moors in the direction of Scugdale, finally reaching the rocky outcrop of Barker’s Crags which marks the head of Scugdale. A steep decent into Scugdale followed regrouping outside Scugdale Hall at the end of the road which comes through the dale from Swainby. A close inspection of the map revealed that even somewhere as isolated as Scugdale once had its own railway and the remains of the quarries which it served could be seen all around. From now on it was a gentle 3.5 mile stroll down the South side of the quiet and serene valley of Scugdale along a well marked route which included a stretch along the disused railway. After 6 hours and 10.5 miles in mostly glorious sunshine we returned to Swainby just too late for tea and cakes. As we took off our boots and prepared to leave one of our party proudly announced he had received news that his daughter had given birth to a baby daughter just 20 minutes earlier, so it was congratulation all round. Where would we be without our mobile phones?

Richard Hughes.