Fridaythorpe to Huggate.
Distance: 7 miles
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Grade: Easy
Map: OS Explorer OS 294 - Market Weighton & Yorkshire Wolds Central
Walk Summary
This is an easy going picturesque 6¼ miles circular walk to Huggate through pasture land and the dry valleys and dales of the chalk landscape of the Yorkshire Wolds. Due to the chalk landscape acting like a giant sponge, it is ideal for walking in any weather, though boots are still recommended during the wetter and wintery months. There is plenty of accessibly free parking around the church of St Mary and Fridaythorpe village pond - please park responsibly.
Fridaythorpe village from where this walk starts and ends, dates back to medieval times and is the highest village on the Yorkshire Wolds at 561 feet (170 metres) above sea level. It is the midpoint of the 79 miles Wolds Way long distance walk, and claims the fame of where the trail was officially opened in October 1982. The walk heads passed St Mary's Church with its Norman west tower, the remainder of the church dates back to the 12th century and the village pond where there is a plaque commemorating the 21st anniversary of the Wolds Way. The Farmers Arms Inn is a grade II listed building.
The trail heads south by turning right out of the village on to the A166 for about 175 yards before turning left along Huggate Lane and passing Glebe Farm. After about 600 yards, the trail branches to the right as it picks up the bridleway towards Wold House Farm with a gentle descent down West Lands to the valley of Horse Dale. The trail turn left as it ascend up to bridleway passing Glebe Farm. The Yorkshire Wolds Ways meets Town End Lane, turn right and follows Church Street in to Huggate. Turn left on Silver Street to follow it round the village pond and the village green. Continue along Silver Street until it rejoins Church Street. After embracing the pleasures of Huggate, follow Church street back up to Town End Lane and follow the lane for about 265 yards to where it picks up the Yorkshire Wolds Way making a steady ascent to the top of Horse Dale, before descending down in to the valley of Holm Dale. At the end dale makes a short steep ascent to rejoin Huggate Lane, passing Glebe Farm and back to Fridaythorpe.
Huggate is the 2nd highest village on the Yorkshire Wolds at 558 feet (170 metres) above sea level. The village green has one of the deepest wells in England, 348 feet (106 metres) deep. The grade I listed building of the church of St Mary (formerly All Hallows Church) is prominent with its imposing 14th century spire. The church was given by Forne FitzLyulph, son of Sigulf (of Greystoke) to St Mary's Abbey, York about 1150 which was restored in 1864. The local hostelry, the Wolds Inn was built in 1592.
