The Walking East Yorkshire Festival offers plenty of inspiration for anyone who enjoys the great outdoors
It is time to get out and explore the great outdoors as the annual Walking East Yorkshire Festival makes a return. From Saturday, September 6 to Sunday, September 14, the festival encourages people to get out and about in some of the East Riding’s most glorious surroundings.
Whether you are a walker, a cyclist, a horse rider, a nature lover or a history enthusiast, the festival showcases a plethora of activities over the nine days which will appeal to families, casual walkers and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Some events are free, some incur a charge.
Visit East Yorkshire’s events team organises the festival on behalf of East Riding Council. The festival website says: “The festival shines a spotlight not only on the rolling landscape, curvy roads and stick trees which inspired one of Britain’s most iconic artists David Hockney to paint his colourful tribute to the Yorkshire Wolds, but also our rich heritage coastline with chalk cliffs and an abundance of wildlife.
“The flat plains of Holderness with its big skies make it ideal for cycling along quiet country roads, disused railway lines or even a jaunt to the tip of Spurn Point’s peninsula. Popular year-on-year events include history tours of our pretty market towns, long-distance treks, Nordic walking, canal boat rides, horse riding, wildlife experiences, seabird cruises, vineyard tours, brewery visits, ghost walks, lighthouse tours, outdoor pursuits including kayaking, bodyboarding and wild swimming.”
There is a full guide that you can download, and please note booking is essential in some cases. Here are just six of the events that may inspire you.
1 The family one
A great circular walk for all the family incorporates a geocaching trail, with GPS treasure to find along the way. The gentle walk starts out at the Black Mill, in Cliff Road, Hessle – arrive any time between 10am and 2pm on Sunday, September 7.
Find all the geocaches, record your finds and unscramble the word to complete the challenge. You will take in part of the Yorkshire Wolds Way, Humber Bridge Country Park Local Nature Reserve and stunning views of the Humber Bridge and Hessle Foreshore.
2 The dog-friendly one
Hiking and history combine when you go Walking the Wolds with Bill and Mrs M, on Sunday, September 14. Join Bill, a fox red retriever, and his owner Mrs M for breakfast at St Andrew’s Church, Kirby Grindalythe before exploring a 5.3-mile route that encounters the Gypsy Race stream and the medieval deserted village of Mowthorpe.
Return for a tour of the church (one of the so-called Sykes’s Churches) with historian Louise Hampson, plus tea and cake. Bill and Mrs M are out in the Yorkshire Wolds throughout the year, with history hikes, summer strolls and breakfast brimbles.
3 The boots and beer one
A popular event that is making a return is the Boots and Beer walk, on Thursday, September 11, following a route along dry valleys Camp Dale, Raven Dale, Lang Dale and North Dale. It also includes a stretch of the Yorkshire Wolds Way National Trail.
The day caps off with a chance to sample a couple of the award-winning Wold Top beers that are brewed at Hunmanby Grange (with soft drink options) and a savoury buffet. The event is from 10.30am to 4pm.
- Contact Beverley Tourist Information Centre, within Champney Treasure House, or call 01482 391672
4 The boat ride one
Join volunteers from the Pocklington Canal Amenity Society aboard the New Horizons narrowboat, spotting wildlife along the way, and have a go at steering the boat in these tranquil surroundings. Tea and coffee are served on-board or bring your own snacks.
Make a day of it with a lovely four-mile walk around Allerthorpe Common Nature Reserve, and there are local spots for lunches. This event runs from 10am to 12.30pm or 1.30pm to 4pm on Wednesday, September 10 (due to water levels in the canal this event could be cancelled nearer the date).
- Contact Beverley Tourist Information Centre, within Champney Treasure House, or call 01482 391672
5 The load of old cobbles one
This one-hour walk around the seaside town of Hornsea, coinciding with the Heritage Open Days festival, will place particular emphasis on the resort’s cobbled buildings. For example, Ye Old Cottage Café is listed for its special architectural or historic interest.
Single-storey built, it is made of brick, pebble-dashed and colour-washed, with a pantiled roof. The Hornsea: A load of old cobbles walk takes place on Saturday, September 13, meeting at 2pm and 3.30pm at St Nicholas Church, Newbegin.
- Turn up on the day or call Jenny Wright on 07395 961222