Melbourne & Thornton Circular

East Yorkshire Walk

Pub Walk + Countryside + Canal + Historic Church

Walk Route Description

Click image to see photo description.

Walk from the East Yorkshire village of Melbourne which les east of York. The route explores the surrounding countryside, a section of the Pocklington Canal and passes Melbourne Hall. The Pocklington Canal closed to traffic in 1934 and became derelict. The canal is still undergoing restoration and canal cruises are available in season.

The walk starts from Main Street, Melbourne where on-street parking is available near the phone box (grid ref. SE753441). After parking walk east soon passing the Melbourne Arms. Continue along Main Street for a further 450 metres and turn left along Church Road. The lane soon crosses the Pocklington Canal and continues to a T-junction in Thornton by12th century St Michael's Church. Turn left and walk through the village. When the road swings right continue ahead along Field Lane (signed no through road). After 900 metres you reach a metal farm gate on the right with a waymark post on the left beside a track (grid ref. SE749455).

Turn left and follow track across a field to reach a footbridge over Black Drain. The path continues to reach swing bridge no.6 over the Pocklington Canal (grid ref. SE748446). Do not cross the bridge but turn right along the towing path and continue to the next bridge – Baldwin’s Bridge. Cross the bridge and follow track past Westfield Farm to the road. Cross the road to the lane opposite with adjacent fingerpost. Reaching the end of the lane continue along indistinct path which leads through woodland. Nearing the edge of the trees, turn left and follow path across fields to a gate on Kidd Lane (grid ref. SE742245).

Bear left and take the next track on the right as indicated by the fingerpost on the left-hand side of the lane. Follow the bridleway through trees forking left at the first junction. Continue another 300 metres and turn right. The onward path runs alongside woodland and leads to Ash Lane (grid ref. SE749429). Turn left along the road taking care. After 250 metres opposite the entrance to Park Farm, turn left through gate and continue across farmland towards Melbourne Hall. Pass through several gates, cross two driveways leading to Melbourne Hall on your left. The path continues across fields and leads into St Monica's Close and Main Street. You can return to the start, but the walk continues.

Briefly turn right along Main Street. Turn left along track leading to the canal basin. Pass the canal basin and cross bridge no.7. Turn left along the towing path to swingbridge no.6. Cross bridge and follow track to Main Street. Turn left and follow the toad back to the start in Melbourne.

Walk GradingMore East Yorkshire Walks

Other walks nearby

Walk 1760	Pocklington Canal, Melbourne & East Cottingwith	easy/mod	11.0 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