Pocklington Canal, Melbourne & East Cottingwith

East Yorkshire Walk

Walk Route Description

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This East Yorkshire walk starts in the village of Melbourne parking on Main Street at SE752440 just south of the Melbourne arm of the Pocklington Canal. It is a "there and back" walk as the alternative seems to be either a very long loop to find paths coming back across country and/or a fair amount of road walking. The canal is navigable from Melbourne to the Derwent so there are working locks and swing bridges en route which adds the interest, particularly to those who like canals. The walk is easy to follow - mostly along the canal, so how difficult can that be then? The East Yorkshire countryside may be flat, but you do get a sense of wide open spaces and any point where you gain some height allows you to see for some distance.

Take the track just to the left of the Melbourne Arms car park down to the canal. On the way you pass the Melbourne basin. Cross the canal on the bridge then for the first 3 miles the path is on the north side of the canal and is part of the Wilberforce Way. At the Hagg Lane/Common Lane bridge you stay on the north side of the canal, but the path is now between the canal and the Beck. At Hall Hills to the south of Storwood the path crosses over the canal and continues on the south/east bank towards East Cottingwith. Whilst the tow path doesn't show up on the Ordnance Survey maps it does exist.

Carry on to Cottingwith Lock and on to the River Derwent. When you follow the river southwards it is then possible to turn off back towards East Cottingwith on Ings Lane, walk through the village on Main Street, Langrickgate Lane and then Canal Road to the path just before the cemetery that heads back to the canal after crossing Langrickgate fields. From here it is the same route back again. At Melbourne Ings it is possible to take the path over the bridge and come out further along Main Street to have a better look at the village.

Walk GradingMore East Yorkshire Walks

Other walks nearby

Walk 2739	Melbourne & Thornton Circular	easy/mod	7.2 miles
Walk 2727	Pocklington Canal from Allerthorpe Wood	moderate	11.0 miles
Walk 3775	Aughton & East Cottingwith from Ellerton	easy/mod	8.0 miles
Walk 3127	Bishop Wilton & Millington Circular	moderate	13.4 miles
Walk 1842	Buttercrambe & Youlthorpe from Stamford Bridge	moderate	11.8 miles