Newgate Bank near Helmsley - North York Moors
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12/10/2025
Meet at 9.45am for a 10.00am Start.
Location: Meet at the Newgate Bank Car Park about 5 miles north of Helmsley on the B1257.
Meet Coordinator: Ben Gilbert 07827-319412 bengilbertemail@gmail.com
Route: About 17.5km (11 miles) & 430m (1,400ft) of ascent.
Terrain: Tracks and footpaths.
Facilities: There are public toilets and shops in Helmsley.
Refreshments: The Owl Inn at Hawnby
Note 1: Please take a packed lunch, appropriate footwear and waterproofs for the weather forecast.
Note 2: If you are planning attending can you let the meet coordinator know prior to the meet if possible.
Description
The walk begins along the lower of two tracks heading north-east from the car park which gradually curves round to the east, from where there are good views north to Bilsdale and Helmsley Moor through various gaps in the trees. After about 2½ miles we take the left-hand fork down a footpath which leads down through the woods past Old Fold, until it reaches the road near St Mary Magdalene Church. Crossing the road, we head along the bridleway towards the somewhat remote seeming and rather wonderfully named Howl Wood Farm, where there is a collection of vintage tractors in various states of disrepair!
Further along, where this bridleway splits into two, we take the right-hand path past Hasty Bank Farm that leads down to a footbridge over a stream. Soon after the path heads quite steeply up the slope, crossing one track first and continuing up until we reach a second track close to the top of the bank. From here we turn right along this track through the woods towards Cowhouse Bank Car Park.
Crossing the road at Cowhouse Bank Car Park we then head along the track that leads along the top of the bank all the way back to the start point. There is a viewing point just beyond Cowhouse Bank Car Park, and as we make our way along the track the views gradually open up to the North, and as we get closer to the Trig Point that is the highest point on the walk, there are good views both across the moors to the north and towards the Wolds to the south.
After the walk there are several pubs in Helmsley where we could go for refreshments, but personally I like the Owl Inn in Hawnby which is not too far away.
