Fridaythorpe 7½ mile circular via 'Waves and Time' land sculpture, The Wolds Way, East Yorkshire Summary.
Distance: 7.5 miles / 12 kilometers
Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Grade: Easy
Map: OS Explorer OS 294 - Market Weighton & Yorkshire Wolds Central
Walk summary
This is an easy going picturesque walk 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. There is plenty of accessibly free parking around the church of St Mary and Fridaythorpe village pond - please park responsibly.
The walk starts and ends in Fridaythorpe which 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, and claims the fame of where the trail was officially opened in October 1982. There is a plaque at the village pond commemorating the 21st anniversary of the Wolds Way. The Farmers Arms Inn is a grade II listed building. The walk heads passed St Mary's Church with its Norman west tower, the remainder of the church dates back to the 12th century. Continuing on the road out of the village, as it bears right, then follows the path on the left, passed the animal feed mill.
Following the hedgerow the trail then gently drops down to ascend Cowdale Leys opposite (having traversed the valley where Brubber Dale meets West Dale). Ascend Cowdale Leys up to Gill's Farm. Then descends down in to Thixen Dale, bears left passing the land sculpture 'Waves and Time' (previously called 'Time and Flow') which was commissioned by land artist Chris Drury in 2011 as part of “Wander – Art on the Yorkshire Wolds Way” initiated by the Visit Hull and East Yorkshire project. Then continues along Bradenham Dale and through the plantation and Wayrham Dale, where many hares can be seen rummaging around, and the only sound is of the birds chirping in the wood.
From the Wayrham Picnic site on the A166 the route follows an unclassified road. Before arriving at a cross roads, several Roman style bollards with Latin inscriptions can be found along the hedgerow at the entrances to the farm fields. The route then follows Huggate Wold through Wold House Farm and back to the start at Fridaythorpe.
The Manor Inn (formerly the Farmers Arms) if open is well worth a stop to reflect on the walk over a local pint. Alternatively call in at the The Seaways Cafe, which is located by turning left out of the village on the A166 the cafe is on the left after the garage.
