Visitors from Kent
Rosedale has to be England’s best kept secret. Stunning scenery, walks aplenty – as long or as short as you choose to make them, as steep or level as your energy levels dictate.
The drive over the moor from Kirkbymoorside was stunning, the sun shining we had the car windows open and the scent from the blooming heather was wonderful. We arrived at Low Farm for a week’s well earned holiday last year with smiles on our faces and were blown away by the view up to Blakey from the farm as we climbed out of the car. We were welcomed by the lovely hostess Linda with home made cake and tea, much appreciated after our long drive from Maidstone. We stayed in the double room and the four star gold rating does little to justify the comfort and amenities provided.
Having roughly planned out our week from home our hosts gave helpful advice on walks and places to visit in the area – it was plain that we would see little of what the area has to offer in just one week. During the week we ate out at all the local pubs, the White Horse being most conveniently situated for Low Farm saw most of us and the food was very good, a lovely country pub. The Blacksmiths at Hartoft offered a different atmosphere and excellent food.
We had three days out visiting Whitby, Castle Howard and York, Rievaulx and Byland Abbeys – the rest of the week we walked in and around Rosedale. On our walking days we used the village shops to buy our home made lunches and set off into the marvelous countryside. Our favourite walk was the Rosedale loop which takes you around the rim of the dale on the old railway line that had been used to carry the iron ore between the kilns, much of which remain and off the moor for smelting. We took about six hours to complete the loop having enjoyed a convivial hour at the Lion Inn at Blakey which is conveniently half way round. Basking in the glorious August sun we saw grouse, deer, sheep and many varieties of birds we can not christen.
Our overwhelming memory of our week in Rosedale was the warm welcome we received wherever we went from all the locals. We have much to learn about our the history of the area from the mining and glass blowing to the Priory itself – we treated ourselves to an exquisite bowl which we purchased from Gillies Jones, takes pride of place in our lounge and is a reminder that we must get our holiday booked again for this year!
Chris & Jane Moon
