Nice walks around Hunmanby Village
During the current situation, daily exercise is good for the body and the mind. Spring is a beautiful time of year. The new leaves are vibrant, and after a long winter, the Spring Flowers are a tonic.
Hunmanby being a rural village, offers some pleasant walks short walks. People are friendly. a 'good morning' or other warm greeting, helps to lift the spirits, especially for those who are restricting social contact.
Below are some suggestions, with some links to give a bit of local history.
There are two useful maps, one produced by the Local History Group, which gives brief descriptions about historic sites around the village
The other the 'Flower Trail ' leaflet produced by Hunmanby in Bloom. This, again with a useful map, shows all the sites in the village maintained by the community: flower beds, open spaces and gardening features.
Both the maps are free and available from the leaflet holders at the village station on the Scarborough bound platform.
There are around 20 public benches in the village, to give the chance of a break. (Please carry a hand sanitiser to stay safe)
The heart of the village:
The village in the Spring is a lovely place to walk round. The village Caretakers, Hunmanby in Bloom, Bayley Gardens Volunteers, local shops, traders and both churches put considerable effort to make the village centre attractive
The Heart of the Village:
While the pavements are narrow, there are several places in the heart of the village where there is space to socially distance in pleasant surroundings.
At Hunmanby Hall Leisure off Hall Park Road, for a nominal £1 you can enjoy the elevated views over Hunmanby and the coast on the Parkland Walk. See link to the community facilities in Hunmanby page
All Saints Church
There are quiet paths around the church and along Church Walk, between the Church and Wrangham House Hotel. This Spring there is a lovely display of pink and yellow primroses amongst the grass.
History of Religion in Hunmanby link to Hunmanby.com
Bayley Gardens
This well maintained open space, owned by Hunmanby Parish Council and maintained by volunteers from Bayley Gardens Committee with support from the village caretakers, has been developed over several decades. It is a beautiful place with its 3 cats (all have homes) The Stag was funded by a local resident.
from Stonegate to Sands Lane along Sheepdyke Lane
Above, View of the Pinfold and Lock Up on Sheepdyke Lane
Sheepdyke Lane: This is always one of the quietest country lanes (to motor vehicles) in the village. A walk from Stonegate to Sands Lane, taking you into the countryside. Turning off Stonegate you see the pinfold and lock up. Sheepdyke Lane is a pleasant walk, with lambs in the fields and bird song.
Photo above, Sheepdyke Lane Railway Bridge, below: There is a metal bench three quaters of the way along the lane. This was donated by Hunmanby Crown Green Bowling Club. It is a pleasnt walk, with fields on both sides of the road with sheep grazing.
At the end of Sheepdyke Lane turn right into Sands Lane
Sands Lane: Is another quiet Lane, with access to Hunmanby Allotments,
A short way along Sands Lane, is another green metal bench donated by Hunmanby Crown Green Bowling Club. In the distance is the Piebald Public House to the left Hunmanby Playing Fields, to the right fields where sheep usually graze.
There are several routes to access the site. Up the rough track to the car park or across Hunmanby Playing Fields with path and a tracks through the woodland walk.
Hunmanby Allotments:
The allotments have wide areas of grass between the three plots areas. This gives plenty of room for social distancing, compared to the often narrow pavements in the village centre. There is a large bench at the allotment entrance (freshly painted this Spring) From the allotments you can see the North Sea. Inland are the start of the Yorkshire Wolds with the line of trees of Croom Acre Plantation. The plantation is covered by a tree preservation order, and in times before GPS a landmark visible to ships on the North Sea to help navigation. Being located at around 330 feet above sea level. (See Photograph above)
Birds of the allotments & orchard (thanks to Harry)
Common Birds:
Blackbird, Blue Tit, Canada Goose, Chaffinch, Crow, Dunnock, Goldfinch, Graylag Goose, Great Tit, Herring Gull, House Sparrow, Jackdaw, Kestrel, Magpie, Mallard, Moorhen, Pied Wagtail, Robin, Rook, Song Thrush, Sparrow Hawk, Starling, Skylark, Wood Pigeon, Wren,
Seasonal Birds:
Chiffchaff, House Martin, Linnet, Swallow, Swift
Uncommon Birds:
Buzzard, Grey Heron, Lapwing, Little Egret, Little Ringed Plover, Reed Bunting, Tufted Duck, Yellowhammer, Yellow Wagtail
Community Orchards:
There are two Community Orchards where in the late Summer and Autumn, the apples are free to pick. The one on the woodland walk is around 25 years old.
The New Community Orchard (photo below) with its ponds and wildlife areas was started in 2012, and is very much work in progress, Hunmanby in Bloom would welcome additional volunteers.
The New Orchard, has two rustic seats to sit and watch the wildlife. These were a provided for the community by Hunmanby Women's Institute.
'Remembering Hunmanby Women's Institute 1935- 2014 79 Years of friendship & laughter'
The Picnic Table was kindly presented by Filey Lions in 2014, in their Golden Jubilee Year
The following messages of wildlife sightings have been written onto the notice board. (Not a complete list)
Birds:
Wagtail (feeding young); Bullfinch (drinking from pond)Goldfinch (feeding on thistles); Partridges (a group of 6); Moorhens (have bred on pond); Mallards; Geese; Swifts; Coot, Thrush; Lapwing
Butterflies & Moths:
Comma butterfly; Cinnabar Moth;
Ringlet Butterfly; Tortoiseshell Butterflies; Red Admiral; Common Copper;
Painted Lady; Small Copper; Meadow brown; Small Skipper; Ringlet;
Amphibians:
Tadpoles & Frogs; Newts;
Insects:
Blue Dragonfly; Pond skaters; Common darters (male and female); Damsel Flies; Peacock Butterfly; Water boatmen; Scorpion Fly; Crickets
Mammals:
Evidence of moles; stoat (or weasel?); Rabbit;
Flowers :
Common spotted orchid;
A break for refreshment on your walk:
Keeping Local
Many like to have some exercise and also some refreshment. The Phat Cow is one way to do both by staying local. If you are walking around the allotment, or through the Industrial Estate to the railway station. You may time it right for the Phat Cow (more than just a burger van) It is located in the Trans Tools Car Park. Usual times are Monday to Friday 9am to 2pm Please check the times on the Phat Cow Facebook page
One advantage of walking locally you see other people from the village.
Hunmanby Village Railway Station:
Well worth a visit, looked after by the community with support from the railway industry. There are several benches on the platform and the station is attractive. The real time information displays will tell you when the next train is due. Perhaps a chance to wave support to the key workers on the trains and the on board staff.
Northgate and Centenary Way
Abvove: The old traditional bench at the start of the footpath to Filey
At the junction of Northgate and Outgaites Lane is the footpath, part of the Centenary Way that leads over the field past North Moor Farm to the coast road where you cross by the roundabout and then walk the short distance along the road into Filey (A1039) to the entrance to Muston Grange (on your right hand side) By Muston Grange Farm is the Fairy Garden Café. Picture Below. The Fairy Garden Cafe has made the decision to remain closed during 2020, due to the current situation, please support them when they re-open in 2021) further details at Fairy Garden Facebook page
Just past Muston Grange you have a choice footpaths:
Left through the Caravan Farm to Filey
Straight on over the railway bridge and past the donkey field or
turn right for a walk back to Hunmanby through Lowfield Farm,
This a Photograph, looking back to Lowfield Farm, taken in May 2020 with young lambs in the field.
At the main coast road (A165) turn left,
Walk a short distance
look for the track across the field a short distance along the A165 on the opposite side.
It is then a pleasant walk back over the fields, where you join Outgaites Lane