Welton Dale & Elloughton Wold 4¾ miles Circular - Summary.
Distance: 4¾ miles / 7½ kilometers
Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
Grade: Easy
Map: OS Explorer 293 - Kingston Upon Hull and Beverley
Walk summary
Ttthis is an idyllic enchanting 4¾ miles, half day walk through serene mixed woodland plantations that encircle Elloughton Wold, just waiting to be explored & foraged. The walk is pleasant offering hours of enjoyment at any time of the year but can be muddy in places following periods of persistent or heavy rainfall. This walk should not be rushed as it needs to be savoured and explored to appreciate its charms.
The area is popular with dog walkers and the occasional jogger. The pathways are well defined and easy to follow, the descents and ascents are gentle with the exception of a short steep section in South Wold Plantation.
There is limited roadside parking in the village along Cowgate and in front of the Green Dragon Pub near the Church of Saint Helen. There is alternative parking along Crossall Hill Lane and Stonepit Road (SE 962 274), which can also be an alternative start point.
The trail starts from the quiet sleepy village of Welton with a gentle ascent through the Welton Dale Estate passing the Mill Pond (on the right) and Welton Springs (on the left) then a short stroll through Dale Plantation and to the open pasture of Welton Dale, the valley is a great place to forage for conkers. Deer roam in Dale Plantation on the left. At the end of the dale re-enter Dale Plantation, at a fork in the woodland trail, the trail bears right. (The path to the left leads to Raikes Mausoleum, sadly access is no longer permitted due to being defaced and abused by walkers/visitors). The trail emerges from the woodland turning left on to Tom Potts’ Row a concrete bridleway and farm access road.
The route turns left to briefly run along the verge on Wauldby Road to a single track footpath on the right, (opposite the Keeper’s Cottage). The single track footpath leads through Lings Plantation along the High Hunsley Circuit as it cuts across Elloughton Wold, then into Wauldby Gates Plantation on Elloughton Dale, where the trail broadens and takes a gentle descent down Elloughton Dale to a road. The high tree branches arch over to provide some welcome shelter from the elements on hot sunny days and during inclement weather. In autumn the squirrels are highly active as they forage beech nuts, acorns and tree seeds.
After crossing Elloughton Dale Road and into South Wold Plantation, the trail follows the fence line, there is a short (70 yards with a rise of 82 feet) steep ascent up South Wold which generates a bit of perspiration. The trail makes a gentle descent through Scarbro Wold Plantation before turning left on to Peggy Farrow Lane (formerly Green Lane) a bridleway which can be very muddy (shoes not recommended) when wet. The lane is said to be haunted by the spirit of Peggy Farrow.
The trail then follows High Road for 1 mile back to Welton village and the start. The roadside walk offers some good views across the fields to Elloughton and beyond to where the River Trent meets the River Ouse and becomes the Humber Estuary.
Welton village is the home to the Church of Saint Helen, which is well worth a visit, with its pond with a number of benches to sit and say hello to the local ducks. The original church is thought to date from the reign of William Rufus 1067-1100, it was restored in 1862. The Green Dragon is an 18th century coach inn, where the infamous highwayman Dick Turpin was captured in 1739. The pub is good place to reflect on the walk and take in a wee snack and liquid refreshment, before heading home.
