Welton Wold & Welton Dale 3 miles Circular - Summary.
Distance: 3 miles / 5 kilometers
Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Grade: Easy
Map: OS Explorer 293 - Kingston Upon Hull and Beverley
Walk summary
This 3 mile circular trail is a picturesque walk on woodland trails and through open dale pasture land and farmland with picturesque views across rolling Welton Wold to the Humber Bridge. The various interests include Welton Spring and the mill pond. The walk is enjoyable at any time of the year. Though the woodland can be muddy following persistent or heavy rainfall.
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 long gentle ascent up Chapel Hill which becomes Crossall Hill Lane as the road enters the woodland. Shortly after which the Yorkshire Wolds Way branches off to the right. Continue ascending the hill, now on Stonepit Road and following a section of the 'Beverley 20' linear (Humber Bridge to Beverley) route and bridleway. The trail makes a sharp left turn and then a sharp right turn as it follows the quarry boundary. The trail shortly reaches the open farmland of Welton Wold Farm, with views on the right across Welton Wold where clear days offer views of the Humber Bridge. Deer can often be seen in the plantation on the left and grey squirrels forage the fruit and seeds of the trees. The trail briefly enters a short section of Dale Plantation then emerges on to Tom Potts’ Row a concrete bridleway and farm access road.
Turn left for about 250 yards to a gated footpath on the left. Follow the footpath along the Yorkshire Wolds Way it makes a gentle descent through Dale Plantation. A track appears on the right. (This path leads to Raikes Mausoleum, sadly access is no longer permitted due to being defaced and abused by walkers/visitors). Contine through the woodland path to a gate where the path enters the open pasture of Welton Dale, the valley is a great place to forage for conkers. Deer roam in Dale Plantation on the right.
At the end of Welton Dale there is another gate, and re-enters Dale Plantation, shortly after Welton Springs appear on the right and the Mill Pond on the left. Follow the hedgerow along the road, at the end of the hedgerow the is another view of the Mill Pond.
Continue along the track which becomes a residential road as it leaves the Welton Dale Estate behind and rejoins the village passing 'The Old Stables' where an ancient rights of use of the cattle well and overflow may still be exercised.
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.
